Featured Stories

forest city resource group aims to unite hispanic workers
UNIDOS is a Hispanic resource group that strives to foster a diverse and welcoming workplace culture. The group aims to be the vehicle to pull in Hispanic talent from colleges and job fairs, a cogent point considering diversity is among Forest City's core values.
'cluster economy' can create a critical mass of expertise in cleveland
Greater Cleveland's workforce is highly educated, with 17 percent of its workforce boasting a graduate or professional degree. Demographer and urban planner Richey Piiparinen believes Cleveland can take advantage of those big brains through creation of high-density areas of expertise.
cleveland must get moving in the race to attract immigrants
According to 2010 census figures, the city's population is just 5 percent foreign-born, less than half the nationwide average. This decade also witnessed our city's population slip below 400,000, a decline that advocates believe can be reversed by attracting newcomers, including immigrants.
local nonprofit celebrates 40th anniversary of building hope, peace and justice abroad
The Cleveland-based nonprofit International Partners in Mission has worked on projects in more than 40 countries around the world. Last month, it held a weeklong series of events to celebrate its milestone anniversary.
i live here (now): daniel gray-kontar, teacher and artist
Cleveland almost lost native son Daniel Gray-Kontar to California's charms. But this writer, poet, performer and father has come home and into his own as an educator and stalwart youth advocate.
east boulevard is a hidden gem among cleveland neighborhoods
Tucked away behind Rockefeller Park lies a historic neighborhood filled with stately, brick homes built at the turn of the last century. It has remained stable despite Glenville's struggles, and now rising interest in University Circle is propelling early signs of growth.
the art of ordinary life: why storytelling nights are suddenly everywhere
In our hyperconnected, digital age, people hunger for real stories. In Cleveland and across the country, storytelling nights are growing thanks to the popularity of The Moth, This American Life and other programs that elevate life into art.
what it will take to bring millennials like me back home
Young people born in Cleveland in the 90s don't feel a sense of nostalgia for the city's heyday. Instead, they see an increasingly vibrant city as a place of opportunity, provided we stay on our current path.
local innovators in the spotlight at cleveland clinic medical innovation summit
The premier healthcare gathering in the country takes place this week at the Cleveland Convention Center. Here are four Cleveland healthcare innovators being featured at the conference.
video: hundreds find new ideas for their cities at inaugural urban innovation exchange
In September, innovators from around the country convened in Detroit to exchange their ideas for building better cities and stronger communities. For three days, Detroit was transformed into a marketplace for ideas for cities.
four companies compete as finalists in cose's business pitch competition
The Shark Tank style competition, now in its second year, is designed to give new businesses financial assistance and expert advice to get off the ground.
7 craft food startups that are making it in the 216
Using the local food scene as a launch pad, craft food startups are growing quickly. We caught up with a fresh batch to learn the recipes behind their success.
the flats are back: five big and small projects reshaping the city's oldest neighborhood
After a decade of standing still, the Flats are on the move. Check out some of the newest developments changing this mixed-use neighborhood, from the Lake Link Trail to plans for a new boathouse on the Cuyahoga River.
want to get people back to work? fill the basic skills gap
Low-income workers often lack the basic skills needed to find a good job. To bridge the gap, experts says it's essential to invest in training. Yet despite millions of people out of work, programs are hard to find.
wheels up: bike share plan aiming to make inroads throughout cleveland
When it comes to the new Zagster bike share system, the excitement is only just beginning. Three more stations are being rolled out before the end of October, a crowdfunding campaign is underway, and organizers say the system could expand further in the spring.
how public art builds safer, stronger neighborhoods
Forget your ideas about giant abstract sculptures on museum lawns. In Detroit, public art is an essential part of community life.
the house is a-rockin': heights music hop is set for saturday
This Saturday, hop on over to the Heights Music Hop to check out a full lineup of bands in the Cedar-Lee District. There will be 30 bands playing at 16 different venues. Did we mention it's free?
fresh water turns four years old with new look, new editor
What's next for Cleveland? That's the question we've explored for the past four years. Recently, Fresh Water introduced a new, more contemporary design, began covering news more frequently and hired Lee Chilcote to manage the publication.
visit to cleveland 'lit my fire,' says starbucks co-founder
Zev Siegl came to Cleveland last week to speak to early-stage and student entrepreneurs at Bizdom and Blackstone Launchpad. Fresh Water gave him a tour and asked him about a lifetime of working with startups.
q&a: ronn richard, president of the cleveland foundation
In this candid, wide-ranging interview, the leader of the Cleveland Foundation discusses its centennial gifts, the Greater University Circle Initiative, the Transformation Plan and more.