MAY-JUNE 2021

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ASEELAH SHAREEF Director, Operations and Community Engagement Karamu House

CYDNEY DAVIDSON-BEY

Founder, Technology in Color

MEGAN O’BRYAN

VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT AND PRESIDENT OF TRI-C FOUNDATION, CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

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Beletu (Belé) Wondwossen Founder / Publisher Shelley M. Shockley Managing Editor

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ADVERTISE WITH US. 216-702-0845

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Writers Shelley M. Shockley Marsha Walker Eastwood Brittany Garrett Rhonda Crowder

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Creative Belé Wondwossen Jason Garrett

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Cover Story: Shelley Shockley Photo: Jason Garrett Contributing Writers Rhonda Crowder Michelle Phillips Fay Marianna Marron Letitia Nall Stephanie Phelps Kimberly Smith-Woodford

Advertising Sales ads@phenomenalwoman.me 216.702.0845 Phenomenal Woman Magazine A subsidiary of Atlantic Creative Productions 5247 Wilson Mills Road #141 Cleveland, OH 44143

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All rights reserved ISSN 2330-2534 (Print) ISSN 2330-2550 (Online) Material may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form of this publication without prior permission from the publisher. Produced and printed in OHIO, USA.

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From the Editor: Shelley M. Shockley New buzzwords equity and equality

The last fourteen months have brought about a lot of “commitment” to equity and equality, yet this month we recognize the most horrific leveling of black terrorism since slavery - the Tulsa Massacre. Over the span of two days at least 300 were murdered, more than 1,200 homes were torched and several generations of wealth were lost. Two newspapers, a school, a library, a hospital, churches, hotels, stores and many other Black-owned businesses were among the buildings destroyed or damaged by fire.

The loss of life and monumental business loss is what makes Tulsa and the Greenwood business district the most notable black establishment to be remembered. As the country began to discuss Black Wallstreet as the Tulsa Massacre is most commonly known it was brought to light that there were several black Wallstreet's in the United States. They included The Hayti Community, Durham, N.C, Jackson Ward, Richmond, Va., The Fourth Avenue District: Birmingham, Ala., and Boley, Okla.

These were all areas that thrived off of black dollars recirculating back into the community.

Although not known to the world, Cleveland had its own Black Wallstreet on E. 105th St. and Euclid Avenue. On E. 105th or the Gold Coast, you had a stretch of several blocks with businesses owned and operated by black people. The area at the intersection of E. 105th & Euclid Avenue was prime real estate purchased by developer Winston Willis. The businesses in the area were heavily adult-oriented, but also included the Scrumpty Dump Movie Cinema and Winstons Place Fine Dining.

In Cleveland, what wasn't destroyed by the riots was confiscated when cases were brought against Willis who was imprisoned when his property was taken.

These are just a few examples of black Americans pulling themselves up by the proverbial bootstrap only to have their hard work ruined at the hands of those who would not comfortably dine with them.

This all begs the question will the work of today's government leaders and community activists also lands on deaf ears. I believe it could when you think of the legislation that continues to linger in the halls of the U.S. Congress. I offer outlines of these bills that speak volumes in terms of this country moving into a more liberating and socially acceptable place. A place where you aren't constantly watching your back, but will be proud of the legacy left behind because your leaders agreed that “Black Lives Matter.”

As I write this column H.R 7120 the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020 continues to languish in Congress. This bill passed by the House of Representatives has stalled in the Senate, a sign that the fight to recognize that “Black Lives Matter,” has fallen on deaf ears.

While government leaders are blocking the advancement of laws that would begin to bring about some level of equity and 4 ▒ MAY - JUNE 2021

equality, corporate America has also issued statements and policies that indicate their support of a more equitable workplace. As the old adage states, “the proof is in the pudding,” and we will have to wait and see if these efforts are genuine.

In this edition, we highlight women working locally to bring about equity in their fields - Aseelah Shareef, Director, Operations and Community Engagement for Karamu House, the nation's oldest African American theater; Cydney DavidsonBey, an Information Technology expert and IT Trainer at Progressive Insurance; and Megan O'Bryan, Vice President of Development and President of Tri-C Foundation for Cuyahoga Community College. All of these women are working to ensure the underrepresented are afforded the opportunities they need to advance their lives and those of their families.

Shareef's story is one of perseverance and passion. With a passion for dancing as a child, she persevered in receiving the training necessary to hone her skills as a dancer even when the best facilities were not available. She further took that passion and studied the optimization of the body and how to prevent injury in this art. That is not the whole story as she has taken her ability as a dancer and transformed that into teaching, leading, and providing diversity in the art of dance and theater.

While Karamu is a black institution, it is also one that does not exclude other races. In addition to her work with Karamu Shareef is Interim Executive Director of the arts award agency the Cleveland Arts Prize. In this position, she will use her administrative skills and passion for the arts to help eliminate systemic barriers. Take time to read more on Aseelah Shareef and her work to be inclusive.

In the IT world, Davidson-Bey has founded “Technology in Color,” for engaging and supporting people of color in the Information Technology field. As opportunities in computer and information technology continue to outpace other fields, Davidson-Bey is working to ensure that black and brown people are represented in this growth industry. Do yourself a favor and read more about her inside this edition.

Our cover story features Megan O'Bryan, Vice President, development and President of the Tri-C Foundation and an advocate for the advancement of the underserved. Throughout her career, she has sought to give a voice to those who often believe they no longer have a voice - from victims of sexual violence to parents of inner-city children seeking the best choice in education.

All three of these dynamic women are working to bring about change and inclusivity at the level that counts most, on the ground and impacting the income and education of those less fortunate.

As always, it is our hope that something in Phenomenal Woman Magazine gives you a reason for pause and the courage to improve your own circumstances. We look forward to your comments and feedback.

Until next time, enjoy!

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NEW BUZZWORDS EQUITY AND EQUALITY

MEGAN O’BRYAN

Shelley M. Shockley

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FIVE WAYS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY

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BLACK VOICES, BLACK STORIES

On an early spring morning Megan O'Bryan, Vice President of Development and President of Tri-C Foundation for Cuyahoga Community College sat down via

Zoom to offer Phenomenal Woman a glimpse into her professional career path. A journey covering several missions, but always involving the process of learning.

3 literary treasures for summer

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FEATURES For CYDNEY DAVIDSON-BEY, there is nothing more fulfilling than preparing tomorrow's technology leaders today. An Information Technology expert who works as an IT trainer with Progressive Insurance, Davidson-Bey founded 'Technology in Color' for engaging and supporting people of color in the Information Technology field.

Phenomenal Woman recently touched base with Cydney to learn more about her career and rewarding works.

ASEELAH SHAREEF serves as Director, Operations and Community Engagement at the nation's oldest African-American theater, Karamu House. In her capacity, she ensures operational efficiencies across all product lines and curates socially and culturally relevant arts experiences for the community.

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DELICIOUS RECIPES

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orking toward financial stability can be a daunting task, but developing healthy spending habits and practicing smart saving can make it easier to plan for the future and take control of your finances.

Improve your financial stability and security with these tips from the experts at Credit One Bank, a data-driven financial services company that is also one of the largest and fastest-growing credit card issuers in the United States.

Create a Spending Plan and Budget By building a budget and examining your spending habits, you're able to see exactly how much money you have coming in and where – or on what – you're spending it.

This is often the first step toward meeting short- and longterm financial goals, whether those involve taking a vacation, paying off debt, buying a new house or saving for retirement.

Add up your household income, including paychecks and other income, such as investments or rental property, then figure your monthly expenses starting with recurring bills like rent or mortgage, car payments, insurance, 6 ▒ MAY - JUNE 2021

utilities and subscriptions. Also account for variable expenses like gas, groceries and entertainment. Once you have your income and expenses calculated, look for places you may be able to cut back to help meet your financial goals. Don't forget to be flexible; your budget and spending will change along with your needs and situation.

Earn Rewards on Everyday Purchases You can stretch your budget further by taking advantage of rewards offered by your bank or credit card company.

For example, some credit cards provide cash back rewards for specific everyday purchases. An option like the Credit One Bank Platinum Rewards Visa is one such credit card.

Customers can earn 5% cash back for the first $5,000 of eligible purchases per year on things like gas, groceries, internet, cable, satellite TV and mobile phone services, plus 1% cash back rewards on all other purchases.

“Make sure your rewards are working for you – and not just as a gimmicky signup bonus,” said David Herpers, head of product at Credit One Bank. “Find a credit card that continues to give you more for your everyday spending habits.”

Compare Interest Rates When Opening a Savings Account When selecting a savings account, look for the highest yield but also consider the minimum balance requirement, any introductory rates that may expire after a set period of time and the ease with which you're able to access your money and account information.

Often, digital banks can offer higher rates than traditional brick-and-mortar branches due to their lower overhead costs. Ensure any bank you consider is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) so you can earn a fair rate and protect your money.

Build an Emergency Fund Emergency funds create a financial buffer that can keep you afloat in times of need without having to rely on highinterest loans or maxing out a line of credit. These funds can be used to pay for large, unexpected expenses such as medical bills, the loss of a job, car repairs or home appliance repair or replacement.

To build your emergency fund, set a monthly savings goal – even an amount as small as $50 per paycheck can make an impact over time – and set up a way for the funds to be automatically transferred to the account each time you get paid to make the task less daunting. Check on the account periodically and adjust if necessary or if your budget allows. A good rule of thumb is to set aside 3-6 months of living expenses.

Keep Track of Your Credit Your credit score provides lenders and other parties a quick way to get an idea of your financial history and your ability to pay. Having a good credit score typically provides better interest rates and makes it easier to get approval on loans, rent an apartment, take out a mortgage or finance large purchases. Poor credit can saddle you with higher rates and lead to potential loan requests being denied.

To help you understand how different actions affect your credit score, many sites offer free credit reports and tools that allow you to stay up-to-date and track your score over time. Be sure to check reviews and verify the site's legitimacy before entering your information.

Additionally, many credit card companies, including Credit One Bank, provide free access to online credit reports on a regular basis to give customers an easier way to stay on top of their finances.

Find more ways to make your money work for you at CreditOneBank.com/articles.

Understanding Emerging Card Capabilities Alternative methods of payment, like credit and debit cards, have now been around for decades and have grown in popularity due to their convenience in comparison to cash, but technology has evolved even further to allow for a rise in contactless payment. Consider these capabilities many cards now offer: Chip (EMV) cards utilize smart technology to store data on the microchip embedded in the card, allowing for an extra level of security with a one-time code generated as part of each transaction to keep payment information more secure than swiping the magnetic strip.

Contactless cards are equipped with near-field communication technology that allows payments to be made at a terminal without swiping or inserting. The card member's name, billing information and security code are never transmitted when cards bearing the contactless indicator are tapped on an equipped terminal.

Smart device payments can be made by adding your credit or debit card to the wallet app on your smartphone or tablet. Apps can also be added to some smartwatches to make contactless payments at participating merchants even easier.

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Aseelah Shareef

Championing Equity in The Arts Aseelah Shareef serves as Director, Operations and Community Engagement at the nation's oldest AfricanAmerican theater, Karamu House. In her capacity, she ensures operational efficiencies across all product lines and curates socially and culturally relevant arts experiences for the community.

Renamed 'Karamu House' in 1941, but established in 1915 as 'Settlement House,' Karamu is definitely a treasure right here in our backyard. Each day, Karamu strives to accomplish its mission of “producing professional theatre, providing arts education and presenting community programs for all people, while honoring the African American experience.” The word Karamu, derived from Kiswahili (a language spoken in the east and southern parts of Africa,) means 'a place of joyful gathering.'

Aseelah was born in Kansas City, Missouri but when she was eight years old, her father wanted to provide different opportunities for his children and the family moved to West Palm Beach, Florida. “Sunshine and a beach are definitely the ways to my heart. I loved growing up in Florida and I refer to myself as a Florida girl at heart.”

She describes her family as pretty traditional – everyone was expected to adhere to the rules, structure, and discipline. The children were also expected to excel in their 8 ▒ MAY - JUNE 2021

education. She attended public schools and was already identified as a gifted student in the fourth grade. From that point on her education remained rigorous.

Aseelah began her dance study at the age of twelve at the Palm Beach County School of the Arts (now known as Dreyfoos School of the Arts.) One of a few Black dance students to start her training very late compared to her peers, Aseelah couldn't afford a dance studio like the other students. Nonetheless, she trained hard and did very well in her technical training, even being promoted to the highest levels of ballet and modern dance.

From seventh through tenth grade, she maintained an intense school schedule, with academic and dance classes from 8 a.m.– 4 p.m. and rehearsals following the school day. “After feeling a strong need to attend 'normal' school and be a 'normal' high school student, I begged my parents to transfer and graduated from an IB magnet high school where I maintained a course load of AP studies.” she said.

Aseelah exhibited signs of being a dance prodigy in her teen years and that passion followed her in college, where she studied Kinesiology. Her field focuses on the 'study of the principles of mechanics and anatomy in relation to human movement.'

She stated, “I was born dancing. As I grew and became a trained dancer, movement was an essential part of my life.

My dance teachers helped me understand how my body actually moved through space as well as the processes and functional movements required to execute technique and choreography.” She continued, “I was fascinated learning about how my hip joint flexed, how the different muscle fibers created movement and how my muscles and breathing worked together to hold a leg extension.”

Her dedication and hard work soon paid off. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Exercise Science at Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee, also serving as an active member in many organizations, including being chapter president of her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. She further continued her studies and received a Masters in Arts Administration.

Choosing a college major is not an easy decision. She recalled with a smile how she felt in one of her classes, “I can remember sitting in my very large lecture hall for biochemistry and after my first week in that class, I thought, maybe this isn't for me. I'm laughing as I recall this. I commiserated with several of my classmates over the course of this subject. It was tough, but I pushed through.”

Thanks to her undergraduate studies, she gained wider knowledge on science and body movements. She explained, ”Kinesiology, anatomy + physiology and nutrition were mandated subjects for dance majors, so in a way I didn't have a choice. However, my interest in optimizing a healthy body and injury prevention for sustained performance careers lead me to study these subjects at the collegiate level.”

With a stellar experience working in the arts and culture ecosystem, Shareef has served as a teaching artist in Washington, DC and Cleveland and was an adjunct professor at Cuyahoga Community College. She also held numerous leadership roles in non-profits, arts and culture organizations. A clear testament to her outstanding abilities, this cultural ambassador's dance talents has taken her to audiences nationally as well as internationally.

Karamu's carefully designed programs continue to benefit the society. As Shareef explained, there are three product lines; “theatre – which is what we are best known for, arts education and non-theatre programs, like live music, comedy, poetry, etc. We provide socially and culturally relevant programming and we do it all under the canopy of social justice. Whether it's our 6-show mainstage season (pre-Covid), our engaging and culturally-responsive arts education classes or our community programs, we work to lift up the Black voice, experience and narrative.”

Former artistic director Terrence Spivey defined Karamu House as "a multicultural company that produces AfricanAmerican theatre.” As an inclusive institution that provides a common platform for people of different races, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds, Karamu needs to be preserved and supported to deliver an even

wider service. Shareef explained, “Our contribution to the world is ensuring that our stories have place and space…. that they are not forgotten. While Karamu was founded by a white, Jewish, couple; Russell and Rowena Jelliffe, they were revolutionary in their efforts to promote social justice and inclusive community. We continue that very legacy in our work today.”

During her tenure with Karamu, Shareef says the most challenging part has been capacity-related. “Like many nonprofits, Karamu is a small but mighty team with a big vision and big deliverables. There never seems to be enough time to accomplish it all. Yet, we prioritize as best we can and focus on our commitment to the audiences we serve.”

In addition to her current leadership responsibilities at Karamu, Shareef has recently been appointed as Interim Executive Director of the arts award organization, Cleveland Arts Prize. Tasked to build an ever stronger Northeast Ohio arts community, her appointment is once again a clear testimony to her enormous talents as an effective arts administrator.

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Theta Sorority, Inc., Ohio Citizens for the Arts (Board Member), the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Foundation (Board Member), Future Heights Grantmaking Committee (member) and College Now Greater Cleveland (mentor). She also mentors some of her former students and makes herself available when friends need volunteer support for their efforts.

Studies show that very little progress has been made towards getting women and minority groups in key leadership positions. As an experienced educator with a proven track record, Shareef concurs with that and calls for more action to level the playing field. She explained, “When systemic structures are in place specifically to create barriers to attainment and growth for the minoritized groups, we will be left out.”

She also offered suggestions to challenge the status quo and bring about changes.“While we continue that fight we have to create our own opportunities. Those of us who are gatekeepers have to create pipelines and hold open the door and escort the next generations in. We have to really share information, nurture leadership and prepare our future generations to be ready for opportunity.” Adding, “We also need to develop cross-racial and cross-cultural relationships that lead to greater understanding and awareness. Our collective psyche has to be one that is concerned about the welfare of all over the welfare of some. Then, of course, we have to be willing to take action.”

According to a study by the College of Business of The Ohio State University, “There can be many positive benefits to minority followers if there are minorities in leadership positions, and this is not just about helping minorities alone. Diversity and inclusion in the workplace are good business for everyone, not just for minorities. When minorities are represented in leadership, minority followers flourish – and so does everyone else.”

With a goal of giving back to her community, Shareef participates in numerous volunteer activities. Some of her volunteer works include; membership in Delta Sigma 10 ▒ MAY - JUNE 2021

Shareef appreciates the positive effects of mentoring. She has been fortunate to get the support of mentors who played a significant role in molding her into a better person. In this regard, she acknowledged, “I get to work side-by-side with one of my greatest mentors and friends, Tony F. Sias. For almost 20 years I have had the pleasure of learning from him.

I've learned a great deal, but the extension of grace is probably one of my greatest take-aways from studying his leadership.”

Further, “Dean Penny Ralston and Gail Rogers from Florida State University, Janus Small and Jean Appleby of Cleveland, Margie Johnson Reese of Texas are my other all-stars. These women are giants in their content expertise as higher education and non-profit/arts and culture leaders. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to learn at their feet.”

At this stage in her career, Shareef heavily prioritizes her work. She constantly works towards equilibrium but at times that creates an entirely different level of stress, beyond all the work. She noted, “I'm learning to reframe this conversation for myself and create space and separation when I need them. That means allowing myself grace if I'm sitting at my computer working until 10 p.m. on a weekday and giving myself a break if the laundry doesn't get done on the weekend because I need to rest and recharge.”

“In pre-COVID times, my day also included many late nights in the theatre, hosting programs or group rentals and supporting front of house staff during productions.

When possible, I squeeze in dance classes or rehearsals or a run if I can find the motivation and the time,.” she said.

Her message to girls and young women, “keep your chin up and your crown straight. Embrace your whole self, keep your integrity intact and be a woman of your word.”

Closing out the interview, Shareef stated, “I will continue to find and create space in my work to do just that, champion opportunities to level the field and support initiatives that prioritize equity, especially in the arts.” This humble and down-to-earth woman has already accomplished a lot but her mission of providing access and equity through meaningful arts experience continues. <

At work, it's what people can do that matters.

Learn more about the important role people with disabilities play in America's educational and economic success.

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Cydney Davidson-Bey

adding color to the IT world

For Cydney Davidson-Bey, there is nothing more fulfilling than preparing tomorrow's technology leaders today. An Information Technology expert who works as an IT trainer with Progressive Insurance, Davidson-Bey founded 'Technology in Color' for engaging and supporting people of color in the Information Technology field. Phenomenal Woman recently touched base with Cydney to learn more about her career and rewarding works.

“Employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 11 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations,” indicates a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “The median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations was $91,250 in May 2020, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $41,950.”

Despite the importance of science and technology in building a better tomorrow, women and people of color have not been well represented in pursuing studies and careers in the IT sector. To overcome this disparity, some trailblazing women have launched special initiatives to mentor and boost the confidence of people from groups under-represented in science and technology.

Meet Cydney Davidson-Bey, a proud Clevelander, who grew up spending a lot of time tinkering with computers and different technology around her house. “My favorite thing was my scheduled computer time! It was always something I enjoyed at home and school. My parents and aunts really pushed me to discover things I loved and because of that I had the opportunity to study dance & acting at Karamu and Rainey Institute.” She said. “I play multiple instruments like violin and clarinet and when I attended middle school in the suburbs, I played in the 12 ▒ MAY - JUNE 2021

school band where I really got to showcase my musical talent. Even after doing all those things my love was always technology.”

Cydney's early exposure to STEM played a significant role in shaping who she is today. She graduated from the MC2 STEM high school and enrolled in Eastern Michigan University where she earned her Bachelor of Science majoring in Computer and Information Systems Security.

As her parents instilled a very strong work ethic in her from a very young age, she took different jobs early on while pursuing her studies at school. She worked at a grocery store at 16, before making stops at RadioShack and her college IT help desk.

Prior to graduating from college, she also worked at the local travel company, Rustic Pathways, which not only allowed her to travel at a highly discounted rate, but granted her the opportunity to flex her technology skills by running the Help Desk on her own.

Cydney enjoyed her studies in college but she felt isolated as she couldn't see students who looked like her. “In college, there weren't many people of color and I saw a huge difference in numbers of women compared to men in my major. I always felt very alone in my classes and I felt very behind.” She continued, “Coming from an area of color like Cleveland, we don't always get the newest, coolest instructional courses based in Technology. So while my white or Asian classmates had been coding since middle school, I'm just getting into this. I wanted to stop another black girl from feeling how I felt. I knew I needed to not only be my own boss but to bridge the gap.”

Cydney has been successful in her studies and career, but she felt that has not been the case for many others and wanted to do something about it. She put her mind to work and established an organization called, 'Technology in Color (TIC),' for the support, advancement, and growth of people of color in the Information Technology sector.

In a nutshell, TIC's objective is to “increase the love of technology in more women of color.” Despite its recent establishment, TIC has so far been able to educate more than one hundred, fifth and sixth graders, and even older residents of Cleveland.

While some progress has been made, women and minorities are still disproportionately represented in science and technology related fields seeking much needed attention. The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) stated, “In computing and technology careers, greater inclusion lifts individual futures and entire communities. Yet many groups are underrepresented. Too many voices—and their winning ideas—go unheard.”

In 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported, only twenty-five percent of the computing workforce were women. The situation is even bleaker with AfricanAmerican and Hispanic women who hold three percent and two percent respectively.

Cydney shares this concern, “Honestly, society has not made it cool to love tech. Although other industries are important, many young women in lower or mid level income areas aren't even offered the idea of becoming a woman in tech. They tend to lean more toward the medical or beauty industry which is amazing but I believe we can do both!” She continued, “We can conquer all fields but tech is one that has yet to be explored. There are so many young women who grew up on MySpace decorating their pages using coding languages like HTML and CSS. But they weren't taught that they were coding. So it wasn't even a career that could be considered so they move on.”

The importance of early exposure of young students to science and technology education has proven to deliver good results. Such exposure is crucially important in shaping young student's minds and inspires them to consider STEM as a field of study and career. Cydney is a perfect example of this widely accepted analysis. As a small child she had opportunities to discover technology in the 90s and 2000s which solidified that love in her. She recalls, “Learning how different systems function was very fun to me, playing around with Windows 95 and figuring out how DSL and different connections to the internet worked was the best thing ever.”

While early exposure is fundamentally important, providing sustainable support to those who are already in the field of science and technology is critical to achieving lasting results. Cydney stated, “To be a woman in the field of technology is difficult but rewarding. Being black and female in technology means you have to prove yourself

“Think about all the talented things you do daily involving technology. So many of our youth are social media gurus! Tap into that passion!

Teach others how to do it and get paid for it! You can do whatever you want, keep trying till it works for you!”

constantly. Even with all the degrees, even with all the experience, we are looked at as a lesser counterpart than those who are men.”

Speaking from her own experience of navigating through the field, she said, “having to constantly show people who you are does get very exhausting, there are times I question if I could do this. But then I remember how much talent I possess and how much joy I bring to those who want to learn the field, it makes it all worth it.”

To provide more services and reach out to more community members, TIC has expanded services and offers a variety of training programs including, social media training, coding courses, cyber security, information assurance, financial management, web design and related services. Cydney is pleased with her progress and said, “It is so important to me that I use my knowledge to also offer financial and credit management as well as business consulting, branding & identity to new companies, and we've also started teaching virtual stock investing and trading which is really fun.”

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With a full plate on her table, Cydney tries to juggle her professional and family life. “I am a Progressive IT trainer which is my full time job. I love it, but Technology in Color is my passion so I usually work both during a full day,” she said. “I'm also a new mom, my son is 10 months old so I'm tending to him as well as my 3 year old dog Blue. It's important that throughout my day I spend time with my husband. My challenge currently is time, making sure I split my time up wisely and cater to my own mental health.

I can't be drained, I have an empire to run.”

Due to the COVID problems, Cydney continues to work from home and said,” I work and involve my husband to get his ideas and opinions. My son loves watching the computer screen so he'll sometimes play on the keyboard, which is cute as long as I'm not working on something important.”

Cydney credits several people who mentored and shaped her thinking. She singled out her parents who she says, “are a huge part of who I am. They did everything to make sure I experienced diversity in both life and culture. I'm creative and technical. I get that from them.” She continued, “I'm very pro-black! I'm very much for the growth of my city and the residents. That comes from my Aunt Jacquie Gillon. But I'm very logical and productive, that's from my Aunt Sharon. My career goals and paths throughout high school and college were influenced by my

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mentor Lanese Sims. She was also a trainer at Progressive Insurance and here I am too.”

In addition to fulfilling all her responsibilities, Cydney still finds time to support her community through volunteering works. She keenly participates in organizations that provide mental health support services. “So many black people have experienced trauma or suffer from a mental illness and it impacts their everyday life. But many have been taught that getting help is weakness. My goal is to change that narrative.”

When asked to give some advice to women and people of color interested in science and technology, she said, “Think about all the talented things you do daily involving technology. So many of our youth are social media gurus.

Tap into that passion! Teach others how to do it and get paid for it! You can do whatever you want, keep trying till it works for you.”

Moving forward, Cydney plans to grow her organization and positively impact more people in her city through increasing the number of IT professionals and advising community members to start their businesses. She is also dedicated to teaching people how to budget, understand credit and stocks and design amazing websites.” < For more information visit: technologyincolor.org.

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MEGAN O'BRYAN

STORY: SHELLEY M. SHOCKLEY PHOTOS: JASON GARRETT

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A love of learning fuels Tri-C Foundation President & Vice President of Development

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MEGAN O'BRYAN

On an early spring morning, Megan O'Bryan, President of the Tri-C Foundation, and Vice President of Development for Cuyahoga Community College sat down via Zoom to offer Phenomenal Woman a glimpse into her professional career path: A journey covering several missions, but always involving the process of learning.

Growing up in Rocky River, O'Bryan says she recalls having a desire to be of service to others. This desire may have formed through her observation of her mother, a speech therapist in the Cleveland Schools for more than forty years.

The seed that had been planted began to take root in high school, where she served as a member of the student government, more specifically the president of her class.

Armed with a small dose of politics, O'Bryan headed to the nation's capital to study Political Science, with a plan to begin a career in politics upon graduation.

Her interest in politics waned during her freshman year at the Catholic University of America, where she “found partisanship - even at that time - as not a good fit for me.”

With politics in the rearview mirror, she switched to the Humanities and graduated with a degree in English. The experience was not a loss because “It was great to live there and have that experience.” O'Bryan believes it was valuable because it helped her see that she could have a greater impact working for non-profit organizations than working for the government or going into politics.

As she reflected, O'Bryan noted that her experience is a teachable moment for young people stating, “This journey shows young people that you may have an idea or your mindset on one thing, but once you get into it, you realize that it was not what you thought it was. You have to make a departure or shift, and that's all part of learning.”

It's no accident that O'Bryan notices the learning opportunities throughout our conversation. She notes that each of her career choices has led to her ability to increase her knowledge in different areas. This commitment to learning from each experience is an asset, an asset that has served her well.

The educational part of her journey is also no surprise when you consider her mom was an educator. Also one of her earliest executive positions was with Young Audiences of Greater Cleveland, now known as The Center for Arts Inspired Learning. The non-profit brings arts into K-12 environments, connecting the arts to learning core subjects - math, English, and social studies, with the help of local artists.

When preparing for careers or changing jobs, O'Bryan is a proponent of volunteering, to determine if something you're interested in is a good fit. Her own experience supports the theory. While volunteering for the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, she learned about the Anti-Sexual Assault movement. She explained, “If you're trying to get experience in different things, please spend your time volunteering and learning about different missions and things that you're passionate about, meeting people that work in these fields. It was through volunteer work that I became passionate about women's issues, then I had the opportunity to go work at the Rape Crisis Center. I think volunteering will open up paid opportunities.”

After volunteering with the Rape Crisis Center, she learned the agency was looking for someone to come and work as their Development Director. O'Bryan applied for and received the position where she worked to strategically build a resource base during a time when funding was very challenging for that organization.

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Tri-C’s role is not only helping individuals gain education and training but also our role is the overall health and economic vitality of our region.

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During her 13 years at the Rape Crisis Center, the agency took its message more into the mainstream. She said, “We moved beyond women helping women to involving the whole community in addressing sexual violence.” She further explained, this move made the work, “more of a mission that could and should be embraced by everybody to keep our community healthy, safe, and strong, and to change some of the myths around sexual violence. So it was a time of growth for The Rape Crisis Center.

From Development Director, O'Bryan became the Executive Director. A lot of the work she oversaw included strategic planning, connecting with the funding community, and changing the culture of the organization to be able to help and reach more people.

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While heading up the Rape Crisis Center, she was tapped by then Cuyahoga County Executive Ed Fitzgerald to join the Cuyahoga Community College Trustee Board, a volunteer appointment that she gladly accepted. This connection to the College would later prove fruitful, once again demonstrating her belief in volunteerism. This she says was also when “I became a huge advocate and believer in community college education.”

After successfully grounding the Rape Crisis Center, O'Bryan was met with one of the biggest challenges of her career when she was selected to lead the Transformation Alliance, a start-up public-private partnership formed to advocate for progress on Cleveland's Plan for Transforming Schools.

She recalled “The board had been formed, but I was the first executive director. It was challenging going from a place where you had worked for 13 years, a place of being a subject matter expert to go into public education reform, where I had to learn a whole new field.”

The challenges included going from an established organization with a staff of twenty-five to a staff of one, where she was charged with everything from creating logos and websites to understanding the political landscape where O'Bryan's expertise would come in handy. She said, “I began building relationships, working to bring public charter and district schools around the table to ensure that every student in Cleveland has the opportunity to attend a great school.”

When noting the similarities between her role with the Rape Crisis Center and her new position she said, “when 18 ▒ MAY - JUNE 2021

you had to get the criminal justice, education, medical systems on board to understand how important it is to see the survivors view at the Rape Crisis Center, the same challenges existed working with the Transformation Alliance. I had to build relationships with a whole new group of stakeholders.”

The stakeholders were not only new, but diverse. She described the representatives around the table as, “district schools, charter schools, the business community, teachers' unions, your funding community, and your parents. While getting all of these voices to agree on a shared vision was a hefty task, it wasn't the biggest.”

O'Bryan said her biggest challenge was, “Finding common measurements for school quality. How do you define school quality and how do you measure it? That continues to be a challenge today. State testing is one way, but there are many others. Getting the stakeholders to agree on how we measure what is a good school was a challenge.”

Another trait O'Bryan exhibited is working with people, not only on the job but in the community. This is one of her assets, and she described working with the community as one of the triumphs of her time with the Transformation Alliance. Specifically, she noted the School Quality Ambassadors, explaining, “We had parents and members of the community engaged in their local schools, learning the choices and working with families to make good choices for schools.” This was key, she said, because that is the backbone of The Cleveland Plan, “guiding families to make the best choices for their children.”

The skills gained throughout her career, both paid and voluntary led to O'Bryan's current leadership positions at TriC. Her volunteer role on the Tri-C Board of Trustees gave her “the opportunity to meet Dr. Jerry Sue Thornton and Dr. Alex Johnson,” which is how she became connected to Tri-C. This was also an opportunity for her to learn something new higher education. When the position leading the Tri-C Foundation became available she was asked to apply, and resigned from the Trustee position in order to do so. She was thrilled when she was selected.

In these roles, she said she is, “networking in the community to bring resources into the institution to help students become successful and my past experience helped me be prepared to do this job.”

Key aspects of her background that came into play were her fundraising background and organizational management experience. She explained, “My past roles in fundraising, strategic planning, and organizational management really provided the background to do the job that I do now. In this role, I have the privilege to lead a team that on an annual basis secures anywhere between $15-20 million to support scholarships, education, and programming at Tri-C.” Those numbers are a huge leap from the approximately $2 million she oversaw for the Rape Crisis Center.

As the president of the non-profit Foundation, she works with a Board of Directors, sixty community leaders, who she said, “help ensure our students have all the resources they need to persist and complete their education at Tri-C.” To achieve that goal, O'Bryan said strategic planning is needed to get the community to understand what the needs are and philanthropy's role is at Tri-C. As an example, she said, “We are prioritizing now how we can work with our funders and partners to support workforce development initiatives at Tri-C to help students access training and education that will lead them to family-sustaining wage jobs in high demand.” Those industries include technology, manufacturing, healthcare, public safety, transportation, and logistics. More specifically she said they are “helping non-traditional students access these opportunities. I'm excited that this includes helping women access nontraditional careers. So, Tri-C's role is not only helping individuals gain education and training but also our role is the overall health and economic vitality of our region.”

When thinking about the challenges of her job she said, “One of the challenges that I faced coming into this job is while I've had experience helping grow a very small organization, one that needed somewhat of a turnaround and a start-up organization, to come to a very high performing organization is more of a challenge.” It's a challenge because she must now think about how do you go from good to great.

Summarizing the situation, she said, “The strategy to make a strong organization even better is a privilege and a challenge. A great learning opportunity for me.” While she has been in the position for a few years, continuing the work during a global pandemic was also a challenge. She said, “We have continued to increase the number of scholarships that we provide for our students, and each year we reach a new record. This year, Tri-C awarded a record $4.2 million in scholarships to almost 3,000 students. During the pandemic, donors have helped us step up our support for students.”

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Some of that help included working with donors to ensure that almost 700 students had laptops or PCs to access their education remotely. Additionally, she said they have been able to work with donors to provide a significant amount of wraparound support for students including “emergency funding which helped students mitigate financial crises that might impact their ability to persist with their studies. Having funding available to help with a pair of glasses, or a car repair or house payment or utility payment can be life-changing for our students and ensure that they stay in school.”

When asked about advice to young women or women seeking a change she said, “I've worked for a lot of different missions. I would say to young women - what is your skillset, what do you enjoy doing? If you don't know whether you want to work at this company or that company or if you want to start this business, think about what you're good at doing.”

In her case, she said, “In my early career I knew I enjoyed writing and communication, strategic planning and advocacy, building coalitions, also working with boards of directors. I knew I had certain kinds of capacities, so I really focused on what kind of job I could do that would allow me to do what I'm good at and what I enjoy.”

Her plan with an undergraduate degree in English, and later a Masters in Nonprofit Management meant she researched what organization might want someone to do these things, and then matching up opportunities.

The most important advice she said is, “Pay attention to stress in your life and invest in self-care and rest because

stress can physically manifest to disease and illness.” She thinks and also knows that stress will creep up on you without you being aware unless you are in tune with how stress enters your life. Sharing her personal reality, she said, “In 2010, I had a mystery illness that didn't allow me to walk for a while, and through that, I learned I was putting myself under too much stress. It's our job to lead our own self-care and we have to be vigilant in setting boundaries because no one else is going to do that for us.

As professionals, mothers, and leaders, we take on a lot each day and we can't sustain ourselves unless we care for and nurture ourselves.”

O'Bryan is in a long-term committed relationship and they are raising young adults including a high school sophomore, two high school juniors, and a college sophomore. Each of them is now capable of handling a lot for themselves, but the task of balancing family and career, O'Bryan said, is about finding balance. She explained, “It is always a challenge ensuring that they have the attention that they need and they desire while we pay attention to our careers. It's a balancing act, and being organized and having a good support system is key.”

To relieve stress in her own life, she practices yoga and because she has a passion for the art, she also teaches yoga in her off time. Her other enjoyments include spending time with her family and her dogs, traveling, and she loves living near Lake Erie. As someone who enjoys the challenge of learning something new and understands that living is learning, O'Bryan is just starting a doctoral program in community college leadership through Kansas State University. <

c cPHENOMENAL FACTS d d Ÿ Bachelor's degree, English Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.

Ÿ Master's degree, Nonprofit Organizations Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland

Ÿ Member of the Leadership Cleveland Class of 2010

Ÿ Centennial Alumni Award, The Jack Joseph and Morton Mande School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University

Ÿ Recognized as a “40 Under 40” by Crain's Cleveland Business, 2009

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Ÿ Named a “Cleveland 500” by Cleveland Magazine, 2020

Ÿ Board member, In Counsel with Women

Ÿ 500-hour certified yoga teacher registered with the Yoga Alliance

Ÿ Recognized as Believer of the Year, Believe in CLE, 2016

Ÿ Co-founder, Western Ohio City Block Club

Ÿ Founder and owner, Centered Soul Retreats, LLC

Ÿ Inducted into the Rocky River high School Hall of Fame

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Women in Transition Offers Online Summer Sessions Register now for free courses beginning June 1 and July 20 The Women in Transition program at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) is launching summer sessions of online classes to empower women in their pursuit of education, training and a career.

Six-week sessions begin June 1 and July 20, with online classes held three days a week. One course runs 10 a.m. to noon Monday through Wednesday starting June 1; two others run Tuesday through Thursday, with morning classes (June 1 start) and evening classes (July 20 start).

Interested participants may register at www.tri-c.edu/WITregistration.

Participants build confidence and skills through classes on personal development, career exploration and computer literacy. The course is designed to assist women in transitional periods of their lives, such as a career change or return to the workforce.

The noncredit program is free and open to the public. Visit tri-c.edu/women-intransition to register for an upcoming course or learn more about the program.

Tri-C’s Women in Transition debuted in 1978 and has contributed to thousands of personal success stories across Northeast Ohio over the past four decades.

TRI-C

Women in Transition opted to hold its spring and summer sessions online given uncertainties created by the COVID-19 outbreak. The program also took place virtually last summer and fall as part of the College’s efforts to limit the spread of the virus.

WOMEN IN TRANSITION

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SIZZLING MEALS MADE FOR SUMMER

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A Fruity Sprinkle Surprise At the next kids party you're hosting, try this delightful Fruity Sprinkles Smoothie that fits the theme for nearly any colorful birthday bash.

It's made with frozen blueberries, frozen strawberries and frozen mango for a healthier alternative to sugar-filled birthday cake. Topped with fluffy, fun whipped cream and mini sprinkles, it still provides a sweet, festive treat. Plus, this smoothie can be made in a matter of minutes using only one kitchen appliance for easy clean up.

To make it, blend frozen blueberries, frozen strawberries, frozen mango, milk and yogurt until well combined.

Pour the mixture into four smoothie glasses and garnish each with whipped cream and sprinkles to add some extra color.

It's that easy to make and even better to enjoy while watching your kid make wonderful memories with friends and family. Find more fun celebration recipes at culinary.net If you made this recipe at home, use #MyCulinaryConnection on your favorite social network to share your work.

Fruity Sprinkles Smoothie - Servings: 4 1 2 1 1 1/2 1

cup frozen blueberries cups frozen strawberries cup frozen mango cups milk carton (6 ounces) vanilla yogurt whipped cream sprinkles

In blender, blend blueberries, strawberries, mango, milk and yogurt until combined.

Pour smoothie into four glasses. Garnish with whipped cream and sprinkles.

Coconut Key Lime Cream Pie Servings: 6-8 1 1/3 2 1/4 1/2 1 1 1 1 1/4

package (11 ounces) vanilla wafers cup butter, melted cups heavy whipping cream cup confectioners' sugar cup Key lime juice, divided package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk teaspoon coconut extract cup shredded coconut cup toasted shredded coconut lime zest, maraschino cherries

In blender, pulse vanilla wafers into crumbs. Add melted butter and pulse until combined. Press crumbs into bottom and up sides of greased 9 1/2inch deep-dish pie plate. Refrigerate 30 minutes.

In large bowl, beat whipping cream until it thickens. Add confectioners' sugar and 1 tablespoon lime juice; beat until stiff peaks form. Remove 1 cup; set aside.

In separate large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sweetened condensed milk and coconut extract; beat until blended. Add remaining lime juice and shredded coconut; stir until combined. Add reserved whipped cream. Stir until combined. Pour into crust.

Refrigerate 4 hours.

Before serving, garnish with toasted coconut, lime zest and maraschino cherries.

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Summer Snacks that Satisfy Cravings

Total time: 22 minutes Servings: 24 Mini Pecan Crusts: Nonstick cooking spray 2 cups pecan pieces 1/4 cup butter, melted 2 tablespoons sugar

Mini Pecan Lemon Berry Tarts

Scoop about 2 teaspoons pecan mixture in each muffin tin.

Use back of wooden spoon or fingers to press mixture evenly along bottom and up sides of each muffin cup.

Lemon Filling: 1/2 cup lemon curd 1/2 cup blueberries, raspberries or combination powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)

Bake 12 minutes, or until crusts are golden brown. Allow crusts to cool completely before removing from pan.

To make mini pecan crusts: Preheat oven to 350 F. Line mini muffin tin with paper liners or spray with nonstick cooking spray.

To assemble crusts: Spoon 1 teaspoon lemon curd into each mini pecan crust. Top with one raspberry or three small blueberries. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired.

In food processor, blend pecan pieces, butter and sugar until mixture forms coarse dough.

Visit AmericanPecan.com for more snacking tips and recipes.

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BLACK VOICES, BLACK STORIES 3 literary treasures for summer As discussions surrounding race continue to evolve across the nation, Black voices and stories can provide new perspectives for readers.

Whether it's an engaging fictional tale or a historical novel recounting a moment of American heroism, these books offer captivating insight and inspiration to readers of all backgrounds.

Black authors play an important role in literature by offering unique points of view. In some cases, their writings illuminate cultural experiences with an authentic, unfiltered viewpoint. Other works celebrate the accomplishments of Black heroes whose stories may otherwise go untold.

These selections, written by Black authors to elevate Black voices, are top picks for summer reading. Find more literature that illuminates Black voices in America at Facebook.com/WilliamMorrowBooks.

A Summer That Blends Past and Present Emmy Award winner, renowned lawyer and journalist, “The View” cohost and “New York Times” bestselling author Sunny Hostin's debut novel, “Summer on the Bluffs,” chronicles a life-changing summer on the exclusive beaches of Oak Bluffs, a Black community in Martha's Vineyard. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, three found sisters uncover secrets in this picturesque town that is a mecca for Black society, all while protecting their own truths. Reunited for one last golden summer together, the three vie to be the chosen heir of their godmother's beach house.

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Sisters United in Wartime Service Kaia Alderson's novel, “Sisters in Arms,” reveals the untold, true story of the Six Triple Eight, the all-Black Postal Battalion of the Women's Army Corps, which made a dangerous voyage to Europe to ensure American servicemen received word from their loved ones.

The novel explores the what life was like for the first all-Black women's unit permitted to deploy overseas during World War II. It's a heartfelt look at a mission many were determined to see fail, but also a powerful message of courage, friendships, romances, failed promises of desegregation (despite Mary McCleod Bethune's efforts to prevent it) and, ultimately, triumph.

From Slavery to Wealth and Power “Island Queen” is a sweeping historical novel based on the true-life story of Dorothy “Doll” Kirwan Thomas, a determined Black woman who rose from slavery to become one of the wealthiest and most powerful landowners in the colonial West Indies. After buying her freedom and securing the same for her sister and mother, Thomas's ambition drove her from the bustling port cities of the West Indies to the forbidden drawing rooms of London's elite. With each page, author Vanessa Riley paints a portrait of a larger-than-life woman who left her mark on history.

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Spotlight On Women In Construction RHONI THOMPSON R.L Cole Enterprise

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GOING THE DISTANCE

FOR OUR

COMMUNITIES. At Dominion East Ohio, going the distance for our customers means more than just delivering safe, affordable natural gas. It means being a positive force in the communities we serve. Our EnergyShare® program has raised $6.8 million and helped more than 70,000 people in Ohio alone. These resources, combined with more than 6,300 volunteer hours from our employees, have benefited organizations as diverse as the American Red Cross, the Boy Scouts of America and the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition.