Cleveland International Hall of Fame (2024)

Since 2010, the Cleveland International Hall of Fame (CIHF) has inducted people who have made significant and lasting contributions to our multicultural society. Cleveland is home to people representing about 120 different ethnic groups. The CIHF exists not only to honor those special people but also to inspire a new generation of leaders to follow in their footsteps.

Over 100 worthy candidates were nominated for the 2024 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. The selection committee was advised by previously inducted members of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. The April 23, 2024 induction event at Windows on the River was a sell out with 500 people in attendance.

The 2024 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame consists of:

• Dona Brady (Albanian heritage)
  who was inducted by Cleveland City Councilman Michael Polensek.
• Ambassador Edward Crawford (Irish)
  who was inducted by Irish Ambassador to the United States Geraldine Byrne Nason.
• Veronica Dahlberg (Mexican and broader Hispanic)
  who was inducted by Cleveland City Councilwoman Jasmin Santana.
• Dr. Eugene Jordan (African-American)
  who was inducted posthumously Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr.
• Erika Puussaar (Estonian)
  who was inducted by Estonia´s Ambassador to the United States Mr. Kristjan Prikk
• Johnny K. Wu (Chinese and broader Asian)
  was inducted by Margaret W. Wong.

Click on the names (above) to go to a page with the photos and videos of that person's induction. Below is a video of the entire evening taken by TV20 professionals Dan Monroe and Raulston Douse. Thanks guys.

2024 Induction Ceremony Main Page

People Page at the Hall of Fame. Who do you recognize?

Libation, Sponsors, Attending Inductees, etc.

Dona Brady Induction

Ambassador Edward Crawford Induction

Veronica Dahlberg Induction

Dr. Eugene Jordan Induction

Erika Puussaar Induction

Johnny K. Wu Induction

Congratulations Class of 2024

2023 Class

The 2023 Class consists of:

Click on their name (above) for a photo, bio and pictures and videos of their induction.

Over 450 people (with a waiting list) attended the 2023 induction ceremony. Both the 60 page collector’s edition book and room SOLD OUT!

Carmen Blackwell

Bishop Edward Malesic gave the invocation.

Bishop Edward Malesic

There were remarks and welcomes from Albert Ratner, City Council President Blaine Griffin, CIHF Co-founder Dan Hanson and County Executive Chris Ronayne.

Save the Date! The 2024 Inductions will be Tuesday April 23, 2024 at Windows on the River.

Submit your nominations for the 2024 Class now! To be considered for induction the person must have made a significant and lasting contribution to a particular ethnic group or the broader ethnic communities of Cleveland and NE Ohio. Self-nominations are acceptable. The list of nominees will be sent to previous inductees of the CIHF for their input. The 2024 Class will be announced this Fall.

2020/2022

Over 150 worthy candidates were nominated for both the 2020 and 2022 Classes of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. The selection committee was advised by previously inducted members of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.

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 along with 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.

2022 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame

2022 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Seated (l-r) Anda Cook, Taras Szmagala
Standing - Victor Ruiz, Carl Robson MD

2020 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame

See the entire Cleveland International Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

See pictures of many of the attendees at the event

10th annual
Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Induction Ceremony
April 16, 2019

2019 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Paul Burik, Akram Boutros, Sree Sreenath
Marilyn Madigan, Richard Fleischma, Ingrida Bublys

See photos and videos of the 2019 induction ceremony

See photos of attendees on the Photo page

The 2019 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame was inducted on April 16, 2019.

Click on the name to see photos and videos of the inductee at the ceremony.

• Dr. Akram Boutros
• Ingrida Bublys
• Paul Burik
• Richard Fleischman
• Marilyn Madigan
• Sree N. Sreenath

Cleveland International Hall of Fame

9th annual
Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Induction Ceremony
April 17, 2018

What a night! Well over 500 people attended the inspiring and fun evening.

The photos and videos from the 9th annual Cleveland International Hall of Fame induction are now posted at ClevelandInternationalHallofFame.com/.

Ralph Perk Jr., Dr Atul Mehta, Abby Mina,
Karen Pianka, Sister Alicia Alvarado and Sheila Murphy Crawford

You can nominate someone now for the 10th class which will be inducted Tuesday April 16, 2019.

2017 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame

The 2017 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame was inducted in front of 500 people (a sell out) in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott at Key Center on April 18, 2017.

Over 150 worthy candidates were nominated for the 2017 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. The selection committee was advised by previously inducted members of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.

The Cleveland International Hall of Fame Class of 2017 consists of
(in alphabetical order) :

• Mona Alag
• Jim Craciun
• Wael Khoury, MD
• Seung (Sam) Kim
• William (Bill) MIller
• Basil Russo

See photos and videos from the 2017 induction ceremony

See more at the Cleveland International Hall of Fame website

2016 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame

The 2016 Class was chosen unanimously by the committee from over 150 nominations. In alphabetical order:

1. Dr. Mohan Bafna
2. Carolyn Balogh
3. Arnie de la Porte (posthumous)
4. Jack Kahl
5. Rev. Mikhail Mikhail
6. Khalid Samad
7. Eugenia Stolarczyk

Cleveland International Hall of Fame - 2015 Class

The Cleveland International Hall of Fame induction ceremony was another official sell out! Thank you Cleveland.

The Cleveland International Hall of Fame is proud to announce the 2015 Class. The 2015 Class was selected with the input of the previously inducted members from almost 150 nominees.

The 2015 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame consists of (alphabetical order):

• Shiv K. Aggarwal
  inducted by Michael Sreshta

Richard Ganim
inducted by Pierre Bejjani

Steve Mulloy (posthumous)
inducted by Mayor Jane Campbell

Bishop Anthony Pilla
inducted by Sam Miller

Richard Pogue
inducted by Sanjiv Kapur

Dick Russ
inducted by Loree Vick

Honorable José A. Villanueva
inducted by José Feliciano

The induction ceremony will be on Wednesday April 29, 2015 in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott at Key Center.

This event will be another sellout. You can order tickets, sponsorships and ads in the collector's edition program book now by contacting Debbie at deb@clevelandpeople.com or directly at 216-406-6594.

Congratulations to these very worthy inductees.

If you are attending the Cleveland International Hall of Fame Induction

Doors open at 5PM with networking and a cash bar till 5:45 when we will be piped into the Grand Ballroom by bagpiper Bruce Grieg.

We have secured special reduced parking rates at the Marriott - both self-park and valet BUT they do not kick in till 5PM. So if you try and park before 5 it may be much more expensive.

Note there is also an Indians home game that evening.

The ceremony and then dinner starts promptly at 6PM.

Cleveland International Hall of Fame - 2014 Class

The 2014 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame was inducted at a dinner ceremony in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott at Key Center on the evening of Monday May 12, 2014

520 people (and a waiting list) attended the ceremony. The large crowd and early Sell Out was a testament to the outstanding inductees.

The 2014 Class consists of (alphabetical order):

• Monte Ahuja
  inducted by Thomas Zenty

  Photos and videos of the induction of and speech by Monte Ahuja

• Eugene Bak
  inducted by Ben Stefanski

  Photos and videos of the induction of and speech by Gene Bak

• Margaret Callander
  inducted by Kona Gant

  Photos and videos of the induction of and speech by Margaret Callander

• Jim Foster
  inducted by Dick Pogue

  Photos and videos of the induction of and speech by Jim Foster

• Donna Hom
  inducted by George Hwang

  Photos and videos of the induction of and speech by Donna Hom

• Joseph P Meissner
  inducted by Jason Lin

  Photos and videos of the induction of and speech by Joe Meissner

• Ernie Mihaly
  inducted by Richard Fleischman

  Photos and videos of the induction of and speech by Ernie Mihaly

• Thomas J. Scanlon
  inducted by Sam Miller

  Photos and videos of the induction of and speech by Tom Scanlon

Cleveland International Hall of Fame - 2013 Class

The 2013 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame has been inducted.

The honorees were inducted at a sold-out dinner ceremony in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott at Key Center on the evening of Wednesday May 8, 2013

2013 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame

The Cleveland International Hall of Fame Class of 2013 consists of
(in alphabetical order) :

• Jack Coyne
  Induction video, bio, photos, introduction by Aidan Cronin, Consul General of Ireland
• Joe Holzer
  Induction video, bio, photos, introduction by Margot Maurer, President of Donauschwaben
• Sam Miller
  Induction video, bio, photos, introduction by Dr. Andrew P. Roth, president of Notre Dame College
• Nacy Panzica
  Induction video, bio, photos, introduction by Angela, editor of La Gazzetta Italiana
• Bishop A. Edward Pevec
  Induction video, bio, photos, introduction by Jure Zmauc, Consul General of the Republic of Slovenia
• Maria Pujana
  Induction video, bio, photos, introduction by Len Komoroski, CEO of Cleveland Cavaliers/Quicken Loans Arena
• Ratanjit Sondhe
  Induction video, bio, photos, introduction by Ken Lanci, Chairman of Project Love-Purple America

Margaret Wong Keynote Address

Cleveland State University President Dr. Ronald M. Berkman remarks

National Anthem, Invocation and Dan Hanson remarks

Overview of 2013 Cleveland International Hall of Fame event

Faces in the Crowd at the Induction ceremony.
Who do you recognize?

Faces in the crowd at 2013 Cleveland International Hall of Fame - Page 1

Faces in the crowd at 2013 Cleveland International Hall of Fame - Page 2

Faces in the crowd at 2013 Cleveland International Hall of Fame - Page 3

Faces in the crowd at 2013 Cleveland International Hall of Fame - Page 4

Faces in the crowd at 2013 Cleveland International Hall of Fame - Page 5

Faces in the crowd at 2013 Cleveland International Hall of Fame - Page 6

Thanks to the sponsors of the
2013 Cleveland International Hall of Fame

Diamond Sponsors

• Cleveland Clinic
• Forest City Enterprises
• John and Mary Coyne

Platinum Sponsor

• Cleveland State University

Gold Sponsors

• Case Western Reserve University
• Cleveland Museum of Art
• Margaret W. Wong & Assoc. Co. , LPA

Silver Sponsors

• Advantage Consulting
• Cathedral Latin Alumni

Bronze Sponsors

• Dave's Markets
• Huntington Bank
• Indus International Inc.
• Rich Foods

Table Sponsors

• Alex Machaskee & Associates
• Center for Pastoral Leadership
• Donauschwaben
• Dow POLY-CARB
• Friendship Foundation
• Guru Nanak Foundation Inc.
• Global Cleveland
• Irish American Archives Society
• MetroHealth Center
• Miceli Dairy
• Panzica Construction
• St. Vitus Parish
• Worldwide Intercultural Network - WIN

ClevelandPeople.Com strives to recognize and promote the value of the "tossed salad" of diversity which makes Cleveland a richer city. The Cleveland International Hall of Fame permanently recognizes those individuals who have made a valuable and lasting contribution to our multicultural society.

2012 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame

Almost 90 people were nominated for this honor. Congratulations to the Class of 2012! (alphabetical order)

• Jose Feliciano
  Inducted by Alex Machaskee
• Ken Kovach
  Inducted by Dick Russ
• Milton Maltz
  Inducted by Sam Miller
• Mary Rose Oakar
  Inducted by Dr. Wael Khoury
• Fr. Jim O'Donnell
  Inducted by Jack Kahl
• Vlad Rus
  Inducted by Councilman Joe Cimperman
• Dr. Jaya Shah
  Inducted by Ratanjit Sondhe
• Anthony Yen
  Inducted by Margaret Wong

More from the 2012 Cleveland International Hall of FameWhat's Next:Due in part to a generous offer from Sam Miller at the 2011 ceremony, the Cleveland International Hall of Fame is working with Tom Scanlon of Collins & Scanlon LLP to become a separate corporation and apply for non-profit status. (Sam, you will be the first to hear when we become a 501c3)

Incorporating board members are Dan Hanson, Debbie Hanson, William Carney, John Lewis, Mike Miller, Steve Owendoff and Albert Seymour. Soon an Advisory Board will be created. Let us know if you are interested.

Non-profit status will allow us to apply for grants and solicit donations easier. These funds will go toward plans to physically memorialize the inductees in an appropriate location as well as making the Cleveland International Hall of Fame sustainable.

The 2011 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame was inducted in a ceremony in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott at Key Center with almost 450 attendees. Over 75 people were nominated. The 2011 Class consists of (alphabetical order)

• Vijaya L. Emani
  (Inducted by Raj Pillai)
• Luis Martinez
  (inducted by Andres Gonzalez)
• Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr.
  (inducted by Congressman Louis Stokes)
• Tony Petkovsek
  (inducted by Terry Stewart)
• Mayor Ralph J. Perk
  (inducted by Justice Terrence O'Donnell)
• Gerald M. Quinn
  (inducted by Tom Scanlon)
• Albert B. Ratner
  (inducted by Sam Miller)
• Gia Hoa Ryan
  (inducted by Margaret Wong)
• Lucretia Stoica
  (inducted by Ken Kovach)

2011 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame

Alex Machaskee introduced Sam Miller who gave the keynote address.

Thank you to our 2011 sponsors:

• Platinum Sponsor - Forest City Enterprises

Gold Sponsor - Global Cleveland

Gold Sponsor - Huntington Bank

Silver Sponsor - Alex Machaskee & Associates

Silver Sponsor - Discoverhelp, Inc.

Bronze Sponsor - Margaret W. Wong & Associates

To learn more about opportunities for the Cleveland International Hall of Fame please contact Debbie Hanson directly at deb@ClevelandPeople.Com or 216-381-8310.

2011 Induction Ceremony

Sam Miller keynote address

Vijaya L. Emani induction by Raj Pillai

Luis Martinez induction by Andres Gonzalez

Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr. induction by Congressman Louis Stokes

Mayor Ralph J. Perk induction by Justice Terrence O'Donnell

Tony Petkovsek induction by Terry Stewart

Gerald M. Quinn induction by Tom Scanlon

Albert B. Ratner induction by Sam Miller

Gia Hoa Ryan induction by Margaret Wong

Lucretia Stoica induction by Ken Kovach

Photos and Bios of the 2011 Hall of Fame Class

Photos and Bios of the inductors of the 2011 Hall of Fame Class

Faces in the crowd at the 2011 Cleveland International Hall of Fame

2011 Cleveland International Hall of Fame Sponsors

Nominate someone for the Cleveland International Hall of Fame

2010 Class

Some of the 2010 Cleveland International Hall of Fame
inductees with keynote speaker Albert Ratner
(Top row) Robert Haas, August Pust, Albert Ratner,
Paramjit Singh and Tom McCcauley.
(Seated) Paul Sciria, Irene Morrow, Margaret Wong,
Jenny Brown and Dr. Dieu Thuc Do

2010 Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Inductee bios, Event photos and videos, Albert Ratner keynote, Sponsors and more

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