Our Memory of Stephanie Tubbs-Jones

This week Cleveland lost one our most inspiring and loving leaders- Stephanie Tubbs-Jones. Her political affiliation, relationships with presidential candidates, and stances on issues have nothing to do with the following post. In fact, those things had little to do with the value she brought to our communities.

Stephanie was an inspiring role model. Growing up in the eastern neighborhoods of Cleveland can be difficult. Just ask Troy Smith, who emerged from the Glenville neighborhood. Sometimes the most visible influences in the lives of our youth are drug dealers on street corners. Congresswoman Tubbs-Jones was an inspiration to our young children. She was a symbol of what hard work, perseverence and dedication could look like. She loved her community as it was, but always encouraged the generations below her to strive for more and stay away from the troubled paths.

I'll never forget the first time I spent with her. The setting was Troy Smith's Heisman Homecoming Celebration at Glenville High School. Stephanie spoke to a crowd of hundreds of children about the inspiration that Troy was to the community. She spoke of hard work, reaching for your dreams, avoiding short-cuts, and staying away from gangs. What impressed me so much was her ability to do all this without coming off condescending! She knew what these children were faced with and was able to address them as a member of their family and not a lector or random motivational speaker.

Stephanie was sincere. She loved her constituents, our city, our region, and especially downtown Cleveland. She had many conversations with me about the future of our region and how Downtown Cleveland was the hub that had to hold all our neighborhoods and suburbs together. She even hosted Cleveland City Living and its advisors at her office to discuss how her economic development team could help support our missions of promoting residential living in downtown Cleveland.

Cleveland has a tremendous void to fill right now. No one can ever truly replace Stephanie. My call to everyone is to do what Stephanie would want us to do in our city. Love the city. Respect your neighbors. Volunteer in the lives of children, especially those who need additional parental guidance and education. Most of all, live life with the enthusiasm that radiated from her no matter where she was. Stephanie always made sure that people felt her message of love. Thank you, Stephanie, for your time with us on Earth. We know you're smiling on us always.