Personal

Born on March 15, 1953, Cleveland, Ohio. Married to Marcia Turner; has four children: Shiloh, Christina, Lacora and Kierra.

Education

1971-1975 Central State University
B.A. in Political Science and Business Administration

Accreditations

Cleveland’s youngest public official as Councilman for Ward 2 for 21 years; 1st Vice-Chairman of the Black Elected Democrats of Cleveland, Ohio, 1992; coordinator of the Millcreek Development (putting together one of the largest housing developments in the City of Cleveland); Chairman of the Browns Stadium Committee (formed to determine whether the Stadium should be renovated or rebuilt).

Professional memberships

Hiram House Board of Trustees, Northeast Ohio Area Wide coordinating Agency, Citizens League of Greater Cleveland, Cuyahoga County Democratic committee, Ward Leader, Precinct Committeeman, El Hasa Temple-Excelsior Lodge #11, Bezalel Consistory-No. 15, and El Hasa Temple No. 28. Served as past Chairman of the City of Cleveland Community Development Committee, Chairman of the Aviation Committee, State Central Committeeman, 21st Congressional District, Vice Chairman, Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, 1981. Member of the City of Cleveland Finance Committee, Public Utilities Committee, Rules Committee. Member of the Democratic National Platform Committee, 1980. Member, State of Ohio Steering Committee, 1980. President, Miles YMCA Board., 2000-2001, Member, Rock –n-Roll Hall of Fame Board, 1999-2001. Chairman of the Southeast YMCA 2000-2001, Member-Southeast YMCA board.
 

Awards received

Congressman Louis Stokes, Certificate of Appreciation; “Youngest Councilman elected in the City of Cleveland”, 1975. Most outstanding Councilman of the Decade, 1979; Selected as one of the “Outstanding Young Men of America”, 1980. Noble of the Year, El-Hasa Temple, 1986. Certificate of Outstanding Service, El-Hasa Temple, No. 28, 1986, Legion of Honor Certificate, 1988. A Salute to African American Men Leadership Award, 1998. Phenomenal African American Man Award, 2003.