Mayor Frank Jackson
Honorable Frank G. Jackson served as the 56th Mayor of the City of Cleveland. He served four full terms from 2006 to 2022 making him the longest-serving mayor in Cleveland history.
Mayor Jackson grew up in Cleveland's Central and Kinsman neighborhoods. After graduating from Max S. Hayes High School, he served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. After his discharge, Jackson attended Cuyahoga Community College where he earned an associate degree. He later attended Cleveland State University (CSU), earning a bachelor's degree in Urban Studies and History, a master's degree in Urban Affairs from the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, and a Juris Doctor from the Cleveland State University College of Law.
He passed the Ohio bar exam and started his legal career as an assistant city prosecutor. In 1989, Jackson won a seat on the Cleveland City Council for Ward 5. As Councilman, Jackson spearheaded efforts to bring in approximately a half billion dollars of community investments, working to clean up and stabilize his ward. Jackson's progress in Ward 5 aided his election to Council President in 2001.
On January 2, 2006, Jackson was sworn in as Cleveland's 56th mayor at East Technical High School. In his inaugural address, Jackson vowed to make Cleveland a city where we are "one people, one community, living and working together, with respect, justice and equality." He promised improvements in the city's school system and better relations with Cleveland's neighboring suburbs.
He was instrumental in opening the City Hall Rotunda to people celebrating their diverse ethnic heritages resulting in annual Italian Heritage Day, Lebanon Day, Hispanic Heritage events, Black History Month, Asian Pacific heritage and so on.
He was part of celebrations for the Polish, Jewish, Chinese, Rusyn, Armenian, Irish, Albanian, Liberian, Serbian, Slovenian, Ethiopian, Puerto Rican, Russian, Hungarian and many more communities.
He solidified and grew Cleveland's Sister City relationships with places such as Rouen, France and Fier, Albania.
Mayor Jackson was inducted by Albert Ratner and presented by Valarie J. McCall (Mr. Ratner could not attend so Valarie included his remarks with hers)
Watch the video of the speeches.
into Cleveland International Hall of Fame
into Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Cleveland International Hall of Fame acceptance speech
and Mayor Frank G. Jackson
Mayor Frank Jackson, Gia Hoa Ryan, Svetlana Stolyarova
Pierre Bejjani, Svetlana Stolyarova
2025 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame
2025 Inductees Mayor Frank Jackson and David Gilbert
Congratulations Mayor Jackson
Back to the 2025 Cleveland International Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
”ReadDavid Gilbert
David Gilbert serves as president and CEO of Greater Cleveland Sports Commission (GCSC), an organization dedicated to making Greater Cleveland the nation's foremost destination for amateur sporting events and activities, and Destination Cleveland, the region's destination marketing and management organization. He re-established the Sports Commission in 2000 and assumed his role with Destination Cleveland in 2011. David also served as the president and CEO of the Cleveland 2016 Host Committee for the Republican National Convention.
GCSC attracts, creates, manages and enhances significant sporting and competitive events. Since 2000, the organization has attracted over 260 events including the NFL Draft, MLB All-Star Game, NBA All-Star Weekend and NCAA Women's Final Four. These events have contributed $1 billion in local economic impact.
David leads the Destination Cleveland team to carry out the organization's mission of stimulating economic growth by attracting people and connecting them to experiences that illustrate Cleveland's diversity, creativity, and contagious passion. Under his leadership, efforts to promote Cleveland as an exciting, vibrant destination have contributed to 20% visitation growth and a 40% increase in visitor-generated direct sales since 2011. Additionally, Cuyahoga County's annual visitation growth rate has consistently outpaced the domestic visitation growth rate during his tenure.
David is an ambassador for Cleveland around the globe. He led the effort to attract some of the largest international events in Cleveland's history: the 2004 International Children's Games, 2014 Gay Games and 2024 Pan Am Masters Games. Both the Children's Games and the Pan-Am Masters Games were held in the United States for the first time because of David's advocacy, with each event serving as a platform to engage, highlight and coalesce Cleveland's international communities. Following Cleveland's successful hosting of the 2004 Children's Games, he served 17 years on the board and executive committee of International Children's Games organization. He was the only Board member from the United States - proudly representing Cleveland.
David also dedicates his time to several organizations. He serves as Chair of the North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation Board and as a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, and many other local and national organization Boards of Directors. David earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from The Ohio State University and an MBA from Cleveland State University. He holds an honorary doctorate from Baldwin-Wallace University.
David Gilbert was inducted by Global Cleveland CEO Joe Cimperman
Watch the video of the speeches.
David Gilbert inducted into
Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Mayor Frank Jackson, Gia Hoa Ryan, Svetlana Stolyarova
Congratulations David
Back to the 2025 Induction Ceremony
”ReadVeronica Dahlberg
Veronica Isabel Dahlberg was born in Canton, Ohio. She is the daughter of Mexican and Hungarian immigrants who arrived in Cleveland over 60 years ago. Her father was a Hungarian refugee who met her mother in Mexico. She remembers her late parents, who became U.S. citizens: “My dad, a Hungarian immigrant who put on a suit when he voted, and my mother, a Mexican immigrant who joined him every Election Day.”
The family moved to Cleveland’s Buckeye neighborhood, populated by other Hungarian immigrants. From there, they moved to Ashtabula, where they built a home they owned for over 50 years. Her family was active in church and community, promoting Hispanic culture and helping people for many decades. This legacy was carried forward by Ms. Dahlberg, who has been active in the northeast Ohio Latino community for over 20 years.
Veronica is founder and executive director of HOLA Ohio, the organization she founded in 1999, which works to empower Latinos through leadership development, civic engagement and advocacy. HOLA has received recognition for its groundbreaking advocacy over the course of over 25 years.She also established the HOLA Business Association, a group of over 60 Latino-owned small-businesses who provide support. HOLA’s work has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Washington Post, and a three-part series on Telemundo.
In an MSNBC interview celebrating her immigrant rights advocacy for over 20 years, she said, “Over 20 years ago I worked on a two-week university project interviewing farm workers on Virginia’s eastern shore. I was shocked at the working and living conditions for these 5,000 Mexican immigrants picking America’s crops. I saw how pesticides, long hours in the blazing sun, low pay and decrepit housing took a toll on them. I ended up staying eight months trying to learn how to organize the workers to improve their lives, a commitment I carry on to this day.”
at a Church event to save a family from deportation
She has said that, “A typical day involves fielding calls from desperate immigrants in deportation, finding ways to keep them here with their families, whether through a public action or legal maneuver. I often feel like a circus performer spinning plates — each deportation case is high stakes and requires quick action. I contact elected officials, lawyers and other leaders daily. I drive to immigration in Cleveland, HOLA meetings, sometimes I drive 1,000 miles weekly. I delegate tasks to HOLA volunteers, and consult my mentors to strategize or get moral support.”
Recently, under her direction, HOLA Ohio developed a new, $2 million Hispanic Community Center in Painesville, which opened to the public on Cinco de Mayo, 2022.
She was awarded the Cleveland Cavaliers "DIFF Maker" award for HOLA in 2023, and previously recognized with the Crain's Cleveland Business Woman of Note, and Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan award, and has been inducted into the Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame.
Veronica says, “The biggest misconception about undocumented immigrants is that they are an economic drain on our country, and that immigration reform will negatively change America and all it stands for. As a patriotic American, I have come to appreciate their work ethic, love of family, and can-do attitude. I’ve seen how they are an indispensable part of our labor force and economy. They work hard and live frugally to build their American dream. When given the opportunity to learn and participate, they quickly adopt all that is great about America.”
The April 23, 2024 induction event at Windows on the River was a sell out with 500 people in attendance.
Veronica was inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame by Ward 14 Cleveland Councilwoman Jasmin Santana. Jasmin Santana was the first Latina Cleveland City Council member.
Here is the video of entire Cleveland International Hall of Fame ceremony. You can jump to about 1:02:26 to watch Veronica Dahlberg being inducted by Jasmin Santana and her acceptance remarks..
Enjoy these images of Veronica Dahlberg from the Cleveland International Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Congratulations Veronica!
”ReadValarie McCall
Valarie J. McCall
Valarie J. McCall learned to meet leadership demands at an early age. Her first job at a McDonald’s restaurant – and a commute completely reliant on public transportation – began to open her eyes to the injustices and areas for opportunity in her hometown. She learned the value of servant leadership, humility and relationship building, all hallmarks of her leadership style today.
Her understanding of these important values helped her begin a public service career as a social worker and eventually as a world leader who influences critical communications, business, government and legislative policy and strategies, as well as, community & economic development decisions in Cleveland and across the globe.
As the former Chief of Communications, Government and International Affairs for the City of Cleveland, McCall served as a trusted advisor and cabinet member in the administration of the city’s longest serving mayor, Frank G. Jackson. She is now a renowned expert in business, government, board dynamics, leadership and strategy.
McCall was Cleveland's primary representative for Sister Cities International, a nonprofit, non- partisan organization advancing relationships with sister cities, counties, and states across the globe. In addition, McCall advanced the city’s brand by implementing innovative communications campaigns highlighting progress, informing and advising residents of developments, legislative matters and constituent issues.
Over the last 20 years, some of Cleveland's most notable wins were made possible because of McCall's fundraising expertise, strategic partnerships and ability to execute. Notably, in 2014, she was Cleveland's lead coordinator for Gay Games IX (2014), an international multi-sport event and cultural gathering organized and catered to LGBT athletes, artists, and musicians.
In 2016, McCall helped plan the Cleveland Cavaliers' Championship parade and served as the City’s Lead representative and prepared the city to host the Republican National Convention (RNC) which brought more than 50,000 visitors to Cleveland; she also helped the city secure a $50 million grant to offset convention costs.
Celebrated for her breadth of knowledge and enthusiasm toward fundraising, donor relations, and philanthropic partnerships, McCall served as Chairwoman of Mayor Jackson's inaugural committee, overseeing all planning and fiscal aspects of the inaugural activities and ceremonies.
Prior to the Jackson administration, McCall served in the White and Campbell Administrations and was the youngest City Clerk and Clerk of Council in Cleveland's history, under then Council President Frank G. Jackson. As Director, McCall led the city’s Empowerment Zone Office and was responsible for over a budget over $200 million.
McCall is the recipient of numerous accolades, including Crain's Cleveland Business 40 Under 40 Award, Ebony Magazine's Young Leader of the Future Award, Rotary Club of Cleveland's International Service Award, and Woman of Color Foundation's "STAR" Professional Woman of the Year.
In addition, she has impacted prestigious local and national Boards. McCall is a member of the Democratic National Committee, State of Ohio Democratic Party Executive Committee, Cuyahoga County Democratic Executive Committee, Elected Precinct Committee Person for Ward 6, Precinct 6-B and served as the Jackson’s Administration’s primary representative to the National Black Caucus of Local and Elected Officials, US Conference of Mayors, National League of Cities and several other Boards and Committees.
McCall is a Past Chair and Current Board Member Emeritus for the American Public Transportation Association, where she helped the organization examine and change its internal and external policies and created a scholarship for deserving transit oriented students. McCall is also a Past Chair of the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (local MPO), Past Chair of the District One Integrating Public Works Committee; Former Board Member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum, Destination Cleveland; Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, The Levin College Visiting Committee and Cleveland State University (CSU) Center for Population Dynamics advisory board, just to name a few.
McCall is concluding an impressive nearly two decade appointment to the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA term ending, March, 2023) and McCall is a newly appointed board member for We Global Studios, a community of thought leaders run by and for women entrepreneurs, and Oscar's Place Adoption Center and Sanctuary.
McCall's experience traveling via public transportation as an adolescent created a personal connection and desire to advocate for public transit riders and coalitions. She worked closely with the Regional Transit Authority to ensure successful citywide transportation plans during the RNC and Gay Games. McCall also served as Chairwoman of the American Public Transportation Association and helped the organization examine its internal and external practices.
McCall is a proud daughter of Cleveland, OH. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Cleveland State University. In
2012, the university graciously awarded her an Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree Honoris Causa and in 2016, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from L’University De Rouen Normandie, Rouen, France (both with all rights, privileges, and honors).
In addition to contributing to her beloved hometown's overall revitalization and forward mobility, McCall is the founder of Valarie McCall Consulting Agency. She resides in Cleveland, Ohio with her dogs, Barack, Princess BaileyRivers and Drakko DeLeon. Together, they share fond memories of their sibling, Kapono – forever in their hearts.
Valarie McCall Inducted on June 7, 2022
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 for 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.
On the evening of June 7, 2022 Valarie was finally honored in person and was inducted by Albert Ratner.
Before he inducts Valarie McCall, Albert Ratner gives some wise words about immigration, population and the City of Cleveland. Watch the video of Valarie McCall being inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame by Albert Ratner
Congratulations Valarie!
”ReadVictor Ruiz
Victor A. Ruiz
Victor A. Ruiz was born in Puerto Rico and came to Cleveland, Ohio at the age of five with his mother and brother. He is a courageous leader and advocate with a body of work that spans over twenty years. Victor has a broad network and because of his work, has been recognized as a Crain’s Cleveland Power 150, one of the 500 most influential people by Cleveland Magazine, and a Forty under Forty.
As Executive Director of Esperanza, Inc., Victor leads an organization that advocates for the educational needs of Cleveland’s Latinx community. As a result of their efforts, Cleveland’s Latinx high school graduation rate has grown from 30% in 2010, to over 84% in 2021. Under his leadership, the organization has raised millions of dollars for college scholarships and support services. In 2015, the organization was named a Brightspot in Education by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.
Victor also serves in several leadership roles, including past chair of the Cuyahoga Community College, one of the country’s largest community colleges. During his three-year tenure as Chair, the college undertook a $250,000,000 community-wide capital campaign that raised dollars for major capital improvements, including construction of several new academic and administrative buildings, and renovations throughout the entire six-campus institution. Victor also serves on the Executive Committee of the United Way of Greater Cleveland, which is the largest in the state of Ohio and includes representation from a majority of Northeast Ohio’s corporate community.
Victor has a bachelor’s degree in English from Baldwin Wallace College, and a master’s degree in Education from Cleveland State University. He is a Certified Professional Diversity Coach (CPDC) through the CoachDiversity Institute.
Victor Ruiz inducted on June 7, 2022
Watch the video of Victor Ruiz being inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame by Dr. Alex Johnson the president of Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C).
