May Chen inducted
May Chen and her family immigrated to the United States from Hong Kong. She started Asian Services in Action (ASIA Inc.) to advocate for immigrants, especially Asian American immigrants, and it has grown to be the largest Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) focused health and social services 501(c)(3) organization in the State of Ohio.
ASIA has taken on the most challenging tasks to help the underserved, low-income, and immigrant communities across the state. Due to the Covid pandemic there could not be the usual Hall of Fame induction ceremony with 500 people attending so May Chen was inducted in the office of her longtime friend Margaret Wong who was an inductee in the inaugural class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame in 2010.
Michael Byun, her successor as CEO of ASIA Inc., sent his congratulations from Seattle and then May Chen gave her inspiring acceptance speech. Congratulations May Chen!
Rest in Peace Bishop Anthony Pilla
2015 Cleveland International Hall of Fame inductee Bishop Anthony Pilla passed away on September 21, 2021. He served the Catholic Diocese and all of Cleveland with his special love for his Italian heritage and all the people.
Bishop Pilla and fellow inductee Sam Miller had a special realtionship. Here is the video of Sam Miller inducting Bishop Pilla.
Here is Bishop Pilla’s acceptance speech.
He will be missed. Rest in Peace Bishop Pilla.
Berj Shakarian inducted
Architect Berj Shakarian was inducted into the 2020 class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. Berj was the driving force behind the Armenian Cultural Garden in Cleveland as well as the Centennial Peace Plaza among other projects.
Cleveland Cultural Garden Federation president Dr. Wael Khoury introduced Berj and then previous inductee Paul Burik presented Berj and gave him his CIHF award and pin. Berj then gave his acceptance speech.
Ramesh Shah inducted
As you know, Covid-19 forced the always sold out (500+ people) induction ceremonies to be cancelled in 2020 and 2021 so the Class is being inducted virtually. Ramesh Shah was inducted by Federation of India Community Associations Board Chairman Sudarshan Sathe and welcomed to the Hall by Inaugural CIHF inductee Paramjit Singh.
Photos and video of the induction and acceptance speech of Ramesh Shah
In this video clip, CIHF co-founder Dan Hanson spoke about the virtial inductions in front of the sign of the India Cultural Garden where Ramesh Shah was inducted.
The other 5 inductees of the Class of 2020 will be posted soon.
Induction Event Postponed due to Covid
With a typical crowd of 500 people, many of whom fly in from other cities, states and countries, it would not be responsible to go forward with the induction ceremony until it is safe.
In the meantime we are planning on a virtual tribute to the 2020 Class. Stay tuned.
We will be rescheduling the event, with the same stellar class of inductees, once the situation has settled down. Feel free to address them as Hall of Famer if you run into them.
2020 Class Chosen!
Over 100 worthy candidates were nominated for the 2020 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame and 6 outstanding people were selected by the committee with input from previous inductees for the 11th Class. They will be inducted on April 21, 2020 in a dinner ceremony in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott at Key Center downtown.
Congratulations to the 11th Class:
- May Chen
- Margaret Lynch
- Valarie McCall
- Ramesh Shah
- Berj Shakarian
- Joe Valencic
Photos, bios and more details coming soon.
Buy tickets now before they sell out. (For tables and large groups contact us)
We are excited that WKYC News Anchor Russ Mitchell will be the Master of Ceremonies at the 11th annual Cleveland International Hall of Fame inductions on April 21, 2020.
2019 Class Inducted!
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Over 100 worthy candidates were nominated for the 2019 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame and these 6 outstanding people (alphabetical order) were the 10th Class. They were inducted on April 16, 2019 in a dinner ceremony in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott at Key Center downtown. Photos/videos of the 2019 Cleveland International Hall of Fame Inductions |
Click on the name for a bio of the inductee as well as video of their induction and photos from the ceremony.
Congratulations to these 6 outstanding individuals!
You can also see photos of the honorees and some of the attendees on the 2019 Cleveland International Hall of Fame Photo Page.
Thanks to Channel 19 news anchor Chris Tanaka who served as MC for the induction ceremony.
2019 Class interviewed in Cultural Gardens
Chris Tanaka did an interview with each of the 6 inductees of the 2019 class from the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. Watch the video below.
RIP Sam Miller
Cleveland and the world have lost a great friend.
Sam Miller’s parents were poor Jewish immigrants from Russia and Poland. Their name was changed at Ellis Island. He became a great philanthropist helping Jewish, Catholic and other causes.
Sam Miller, Forest City co-chair emeritus, died March 7, 2019 at age 97. He will be missed greatly.
Sam Miller was inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame in a ceremony on Wednesday May 8, 2013.
Photos and videos of Sam Miller’s induction.
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