Marsha Dobrzynski Receives Stephanie Tubbs Jones Neighborhood Leadership Award
CLEVELAND, Ohio (May 14, 2021) - Marsha Dobrzynski, President and CEO of the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning, accepted the 2021 Stephanie Tubbs Jones Neighborhood Leadership Award from University Circle, Inc. in a virtual ceremony on May 12. With the award, Dobrzynski is celebrated for making significant contributions to the University Circle and Greater University Circle neighborhoods. “I am incredibly honored to receive this award,” Dobrzynski says. “It has been a privilege for CAL to be in University Circle for the past 4 years and to partner with so many phenomenal organizations in the community to ensure that everyone – young and old – has the opportunity to experience arts in their lives. Thank you!” The award is bestowed at an especially meaningful time in Dobrzynski’s 27 year tenure at the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning as she prepares to retire in summer of 2021.
(above) Marsha Dobrzynski
ABOUT THE AWARD
(From www.universitycircle.org/stephanie-tubbs-jones-neighborhood-leadership-award)
Stephanie Tubbs Jones was a Judge, a Prosecutor, a legislator and the first African American Congresswoman from the State of Ohio. She was a national trailblazer and a neighbor who lived on Wade Park Avenue in Greater University Circle.
After her untimely death, UCI commissioned a statue, designed by David Demming, to sit in a park on East Blvd and Wade Oval Drive to pay our respects and to give residents a place where they could simply sit with Stephanie.
After the statue was dedicated at the PNC Community Plaza, UCI created the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Neighborhood Leadership Award to honor persons who make significant contributions to the University Circle and Greater University Circle neighborhoods.
AWARD WINNERS
(From www.universitycircle.org/stephanie-tubbs-jones-neighborhood-leadership-award)
2020: University Hospitals Healthy Restart Team
2019: Dan Simon, MD, University Hospitals
2018: Virginia and George Havens
2017: Leon Bibb
2016: Commander Pat Stephens, Cleveland Police Department Third District Commander
2015: Sara Mierke, formerly of the Hawken School Gries Center
2014: Malinda Matlock, formerly with Millennia Housing Management
2013: Steve Standley, University Hospitals
2011: Benedictine High School
2010: Pat Reymann, former President and CEO of Western Reserve Historical Society
2009: Joan Southgate, Restore Cleveland Hope
2008: Family of Stephanie Tubbs Jones
ABOUT THE CENTER FOR ARTS-INSPIRED LEARNING
Currently in its 68th year, with the mission to ignite student learning, creativity, and success through the arts, CAL, an affiliate of the Young Audiences Arts for Learning Network, uses the arts as an imaginative and engaging vehicle for promoting a deeper understanding of academic subjects, advancing social-emotional learning, and building students’ 21st century skillsets. Offering thousands of customizable programs across disciplines including visual arts, digital arts, literary arts, theater, music and dance, CAL’s programming expanded in 2020 to include virtual offerings. Responding swiftly to stay-at-home orders, remote schooling and the changing needs of students, CAL teaching artists reimagined their programs to engage students through both live and pre-recorded virtual formats. Among these are:
In-school: Short-term workshops integrating arts into a standards-based curriculum
Residencies: Extended-term workshops focusing on students’ physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development
Afterschool: Arts programming providing students extended day learning
ArtWorks: Arts and technology college and career readiness program building youth apprentices’ 21st century skillsets
Play It Forward! ® Cleveland: Free lessons and musical instruments for students with the goal of forming an inner-city youth orchestra
Academic Learning Pods: Students receive support with school assignments, engage in structured arts activities, and participate in safe, socially distanced peer interaction while schools are remote. Technology and lunches are also provided.