Cleveland International Hall of Fame
What a Night!

Since 2010, the Cleveland International Hall of Fame (CIHF) has inducted people who have made significant and lasting contributions to our multicultural society. Cleveland is home to people representing about 120 different ethnic groups. The CIHF exists not only to honor those special people but also to inspire a new generation of leaders to follow in their footsteps.

Over 150 worthy candidates were nominated for both the 2020 and 2022 Classes of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. The selection committee was advised by previously inducted members of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.

Covid-19 forced the always sold out induction ceremonies to be cancelled in 2020 and 2021. We tried to induct the 2020 class virtually but it was not the same. So once we were able to gather together again, we included the 2020 class in the induction ceremony along with the 2022 class on June 7, 2022. The event at Windows on the River was a sell out and the 2020 class finally got their moment in the spotlight.

2022 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Seated (l-r) Anda Cook, Taras Szmagala
Standing – Victor Ruiz, Carl Robson MD

The 2022 honorees are:

• Anda Cook, (Latvian)
• Carl Robson, (Ethiopian community)
• Victor Ruiz, (Puerto Rican)
• Taras Szmagala, (Ukrainian)

In addition, we recognized the 2020 inductees who missed out on their ceremony due to Covid.

2020 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Seated (l-r) Margaret Lynch, May Chen, Valarie McCall
Standing Berj Shakarian, Joe Valencic, Ramesh Shah

• May Chen (Chinese)
• Margaret Lynch (Irish)
• Valarie McCall (African-American)
• Ramesh Shah (Indian)
• Berj Shakarian (Armenian)
• Joe Valencic (Slovenian)

Click on the name of the person above to view their photo, bio and see their induction into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.

See photos and videos from the Induction Ceremony

See photos of some of the attendees – who do you recognize?

**Teevi Champa, Oanh Loi-Powell and Erika Puussaar**
**in Estonian and Vietnamese grab**

Save the Date – April 18, 2023 for the next induction ceremony!

**Thank you Council President Blaine Griffin**

Celebrating Cleveland’s Diversity

Mona Alag and Sudarshan Sathe

Mona Alag and Sudarshan Sathe
Jim Craciun and Councilman Matt Zone

Jim Craciun and Councilman Matt Zone
August Pust and Marianna Miller

August Pust and Marianna Miller
Dr. Nizar Zein and Dr. Wael Khoury

Dr. Nizar Zein and Dr. Wael Khoury
Ki Kim inducting his father Seung (Sam) Kim in 2017

Ki Kim inducting his father Seung (Sam) Kim in 2017
Basil Russo with daughter and son-in-law

Basil Russo with daughter and son-in-law
2017 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame

2017 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Dan Coughlin and 2016 inductee Jack Kahl

Dan Coughlin and 2016 inductee Jack Kahl
2016 Inductee Khalid Samad and Director Blaine Griffin

2016 Inductee Khalid Samad and Director Blaine Griffin
2016 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame

2016 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame
2015 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame

2015 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame
2011 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame

2011 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Induction Dinner 2015 Kona Grant and members of the Scottish community
Induction Dinner 2015 Mona Alag and friends
Induction Dinner 2015 Jim Foster and Dick Pogue
Induction Dinner 2015 Gene Bak being presented flowers