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Host & Moderator
Romona Robinson is an award-winning journalist and author. Robinson spent three decades as a television news anchor in Cleveland on Channels WKYC and WOIO. She is the first African-American woman to anchor a nightly newscast in Cleveland.
Guest - Mayor, City of Cleveland
On Jan. 2, 2018, Mayor Frank G. Jackson took the oath of office for his historic fourth term – which will make him the City of Cleveland’s longest serving Mayor. During his time in office, Mayor Jackson has been an advocate for building equity and opportunity for all Clevelanders in all neighborhoods. Mayor Jackson is a lifelong resident of the Central Neighborhood where he began his career in elected office as its City Councilman and, later, City Council President. He is a graduate of Cleveland Public Schools, Cuyahoga Community College and Cleveland State University – the latter from which he earned his bachelor’s, master’s and law degrees. He began his public service career as an Assistant City Prosecutor in the Cleveland Municipal Court Clerk’s Office.
Guest - City of Cleveland Chief of Police
Calvin D. Williams is the City of Cleveland’s 40th Chief of Police. Chief Williams was appointed to the Division of Police on February 24, 1986. In 1989, he was assigned to the SWAT Unit where he served for nine years. Williams was promoted to Sergeant in July 1997 and became the SWAT Unit Supervisor, a position he held for two years. Chief Williams has also served as the supervisor of both the Vice Unit in the Fourth District and the Fugitive Unit.
Guest - President & CEO, Urban League of Greater Cleveland
Marsha A. Mockabee serves as the President and CEO of the 102-year old affiliate, Urban League of Greater Cleveland. She is the first female to hold this position at the Cleveland affiliate. In this role, she leads an agenda empowering African Americans to develop and exercise their potential on par with all other Americans through education, research, advocacy and provision of services. Marsha has more than 33 years of nonprofit leadership experience, as well as educational credentials that include a bachelor’s degree from Concordia University (cum laude), a CNM from Case Western Reserve University, and MBM from Indiana Wesleyan. She serves on many committees and community efforts. Marsha’s accomplishments have been recognized locally and nationally. Since 2010, she has served on the National Urban League’s Education and Jobs Task Forces. In addition, Marsha is a founding member of the initiative to make Racism A Public Health Issue in the City of Cleveland.
Guest - President & CEO, Destination Cleveland & Greater Cleveland Sports Commission
David Gilbert serves as President & CEO of Destination Cleveland and of Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. Gilbert re-founded the Sports Commission in 2000, assumed his role with Destination Cleveland in 2011 and served as the president & CEO of the Cleveland 2016 Host Committee for the Republican National Convention. Greater Cleveland Sports Commission serves to measurably improve the economy of Greater Cleveland and enrich the community by attracting, creating, managing and enhancing significant sporting and competitive events. Since 2000, the organization has attracted or created more than 190 events which provide nearly $686 million in economic activity to Northeast Ohio.
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