Say Yes Cleveland, the large scholarship program that promises to cover college and other post-secondary tuition for every eligible graduate of the city’s public school district, has a new leader.
The organization, which launched in 2019 and only recently released its first progress report, has hired Derrick Fulton as its new executive director, according to a news release. Fulton is currently the executive director of the nonprofit Facing History and Ourselves in Cleveland, which assists teachers and schools with history and civic lesson material.
Fulton previously worked at City Year and University Settlement in the Broadway/Slavic Village neighborhood. He starts at Say Yes Cleveland in February. He replaces Diane Downing, who retired in 2025.
Fulton takes over as the organization hopes to address key challenges, including getting more students connected to the program and ensuring they have the support they need to continue their education. But there are other challenges not in control of the scholarship program: college affordability and the fact that many students are not being adequately prepared academically.
Controversial speaker at City Club draws mild response
The long-anticipated City Club of Cleveland forum featuring Aaron Baer, president of the conservative lobbying group Center for Christian Virtue, landed with less excitement than expected.
Baer used the forum to promote his controversial views on education (“Tear the system down”) and the LGBTQ+ community (“No child has been born in the wrong body”) and other issues, though the audience reaction was largely chill.
City Club CEO Dan Moulthrop exercised steady control and offered some gentle prodding to avoid making the forum a confrontation.
Demonstrators stood outside with rainbow-colored umbrellas and signs of support for transgender people. Early in the forum, protesters outside threw a red liquid on the City Club windows along Euclid Avenue.
The City Club mission is to offer insight into a speaker’s thinking – regardless of how distasteful some members find the views – and Baer seemed eager to provide it. He embraced the criticisms and stood behind his rhetoric.
“We encourage Christians to follow their conscience,” he said in response to a question from the audience. “ I want you guys to understand where we are coming from.”
No one left the event confused.
Cleveland Council Member wins after losing; another may follow
Former Cleveland Council Member Danny Kelly, who was friendly to everyone, including Mayor Justin Bibb’s administration, has landed a new job with Team Bibb. Kelly, who lost by nine votes to Tanmay Shah in Ward 12, is now working as a new labor coordinator in the city’s Office of Equal Opportunity. Apparently, it doesn’t hurt financially to lose sometimes. He is being paid nearly $97,000, about $3,000 more than his council salary.
Kelly may not be the only member of council who lost in November to join the administration. Former Council Member Anthony Hairston, who lost to Michael Polensek in Ward 10, is said to be sniffing around City Hall for a job, according to two people familiar with such discussions. Hairston did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for the mayor said, “I’m not aware of any decision that has been made” on his hiring.
