Cleveland: Now!
Encyclopedia
Cleveland: Now! was a public and private funding program for the rehabilitation of neighborhoods in Cleveland, Ohio
.
Former Mayor Carl B. Stokes
first announced the program on May 1, 1968. Local businessmen agreed to cooperate with the city in a fundraising program to fight the problem of Cleveland's inner city in order to preserve racial peace. The plan was to raise $1.5 billion over ten years with $177 million projected during the first two years to fund youth activities and employment, community centers, health-clinic facilities, housing units, and economic renewal projects.
Funding goals for the Now! program were quickly met for the first few months. Then, on July 23, 1968, the Glenville Shootout
occurred. The following morning, Fred (Ahmed) Evans, one of the major players in the Shootout, surrendered to police and was subsequently tried, found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison. It was discovered that Evans had received some $6,000 in funds from the program and donations declined. Despite this, Stokes was reelected for a second term and the program still actively operated until 1970. Stokes announced that its last major commitment would be the funding of four new community centers. The organization was not formally dissolved until George V. Voinovich
became mayor in 1980. The remaining $220,000 was given to the Cleveland Foundation
to use for youth employment and low-income housing.
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
.
Former Mayor Carl B. Stokes
Carl B. Stokes
Carl Burton Stokes was an American politician of the Democratic party who served as the 51st mayor of Cleveland, Ohio. Elected on November 7, 1967, but took office on Jan 1, 1968, he was the first African American mayor of a major U.S. city. Fellow Ohioan Robert C. Henry was the first African...
first announced the program on May 1, 1968. Local businessmen agreed to cooperate with the city in a fundraising program to fight the problem of Cleveland's inner city in order to preserve racial peace. The plan was to raise $1.5 billion over ten years with $177 million projected during the first two years to fund youth activities and employment, community centers, health-clinic facilities, housing units, and economic renewal projects.
Funding goals for the Now! program were quickly met for the first few months. Then, on July 23, 1968, the Glenville Shootout
Glenville Shootout
The Glenville Shootout was a series of events of violent acts that occurred in the Glenville section of Cleveland, Ohio, United States, from the dates of July 23–28, 1968...
occurred. The following morning, Fred (Ahmed) Evans, one of the major players in the Shootout, surrendered to police and was subsequently tried, found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison. It was discovered that Evans had received some $6,000 in funds from the program and donations declined. Despite this, Stokes was reelected for a second term and the program still actively operated until 1970. Stokes announced that its last major commitment would be the funding of four new community centers. The organization was not formally dissolved until George V. Voinovich
George Voinovich
George Victor Voinovich is a former United States Senator from the state of Ohio, and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, he served as the 65th Governor of Ohio from 1991 to 1998, and as the 54th mayor of Cleveland from 1980 to 1989.-Personal life:Born in Cleveland, Ohio, his father was...
became mayor in 1980. The remaining $220,000 was given to the Cleveland Foundation
Cleveland Foundation
Established in 1914, the Cleveland Foundation was the world's first community foundation. , it is America's second-largest community foundation, with assets of $1.62 billion and annual grants of around $84 million....
to use for youth employment and low-income housing.