Marilyn Burns sat at her kitchen table on a cold December afternoon. As I entered her home, she greeted me with a hug. She was in the process of planning a brunch for some of her closest friends.

“We are going to have salmon, salad, fruit, dessert and so many other things,” she said. “I’m making everything from scratch.” Cooking and entertaining for her loved ones is something that Burns loves to do in her spare time. She finds a dash of irony in being nominated for Signal Cleveland’s mayor of the block.

“You know it’s funny, when I’ve been out and about with the mayor [Justin Bibb], he always tells people, ‘I may be the mayor of Cleveland, but Ms. Burns is the mayor of Woodhill,’” she said with a soft laugh as she finished her grocery list. 

When asked about his relationship with Burns, Mayor Bibb offered nothing but praise, calling her a true change agent with a profound impact.

“Her passion, commitment and leadership have helped advance health equity and other important initiatives,” Bibb said. “She is a selfless community hero with a persistent positivity, a quality we should all embody.”

“Simply stated: Our city is a better place because of Marilyn Burns.”

Laying the foundation

Burns grew up in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood. She has fond memories of accompanying her mom to community events and civic opportunities.

“My mother was a community-oriented person,” she said. “I didn’t realize it at the time, but she was grooming me for the work that I’m doing now. To me she was the greatest thing since air, so anywhere she would go I would want to go, too.”

There’s only one official mayor of Cleveland. But across town, in neighborhoods and on city blocks, there are many unofficial mayors who advocate for their neighbors, take care of their communities and stir up some good trouble. Signal Cleveland will share the stories of these folks, who they are and what they mean for our city. Want to nominate someone? Fill out the form at the bottom of this post.

Burns’ mother was a frequent canvasser, keeping her neighbors updated on the latest developments in the neighborhood. Faith and religion were a large part of the Burns family, which Marilyn credits for many of the skills she implements in her own civic endeavors.

“My mother was on the usher board,” she said. “I was in the youth choir. They would often have me come to the front of the church to recite scriptures, poems, sing and things of that nature. That taught me how to handle public speaking, dealing with different people and to not be afraid of it.”

Following in her mother’s footsteps, Burns has continued the family legacy of service and now finds herself as one of the most outspoken leaders that Buckeye-Woodhill has to offer.

‘She commanded the room’

Erika Jarvis is a Woodhill resident who has worked closely with Burns on several community initiatives. She described Burns as funny, hard-working and tough.

“I grew up in Woodhill, but I didn’t know her then,” Jarvis said. “At one point, I moved out of the area. When I moved back to Woodhill, I met her while working on writing a grant for a group we were a part of at the time.”

Jarvis immediately felt a sense of connection with Burns, often going to her for advice on a number of different topics and ideas.

“When I first heard her speak, she commanded the room,” Jarvis added. “Her being known as the mayor of Woodhill is an actual thing. She is always throwing events for the kids, often paying for things out of her own pocket. She shows everyone she runs into so much love. I have learned so much from her.”

Paying it forward

Burns has lived in the Woodhill area for more than 20 years. 

“It was important for me to give back when I moved here,” she remembered. “Prior to moving here, I wasn’t in the best situation. It’s important for me to support people who have been hurt, because I’ve been hurt and I know what that feels like.”

She continued: “People make mistakes from time to time, but that doesn’t make them a bad human being. If I can do something big or small that can offer someone else a sense of relief, I try to do that.”

‘I bring my own seat and own table’

Burns currently serves as the precinct committee member for Ward 6, a role she was elected to in 2018. Her duties include regularly attending ward meetings, registering voters and getting the word out about community events and initiatives. She doesn’t necessarily consider herself a political person, but when she sees a problem in the community, she feels inclined to address it.

“Although I’m not very political, I realize that life has become so political, so it is beyond important that we become engaged in what is happening in the city, especially here in Woodhill,” she said. “I just want people to know what’s going on.” 

A few years ago, Burns had the opportunity to speak before the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) when the Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) made the decision to renovate the Woodhill estates. She offered community feedback, challenged developers and encouraged other residents to attend the planning meetings.

“If I walk in a room and there’s no seat at the table for me, I bring my own seat and own table,” she said. “This fight is not just for me. I’m carrying the voice of people behind me who may be intimidated to speak up or may feel like they don’t belong in certain rooms.” 

She has been the recipient of numerous community awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the East Side Daily News and the Civic Champion Award, which recognized her commitment to community service. She serves on the Case Western Reserve Institutional Review Board, Fairhill Partners and multiple other volunteer boards across the city.

Keeping the faith

Burns constantly draws inspiration from her fellow Woodhill residents. She appreciates the creativity and imagination that many of her neighbors possess.

As we spoke, there was a knock at the door. One of Burns’ neighbors stopped by to say hello and to ask her if she needed anything while he was out and about. She declined the offer but thanked him for checking on her. 

“I’ve seen so many talented people of all ages that are overlooked, because of the stigmas that have been put on them throughout the years,” she said. “I’ve been intentional in reminding them that they are loved, that they are worthy, and that they are valued.”

While she often pours love into others, Burns has had to learn when to step back to take care of herself, which is a habit that has not always come naturally to her.

“Sometimes I feel like I’m running on empty. It’s the spirit of God that keeps me going. There are times where I have to be still and silent and let Him guide me,” she said. “I consider myself a pretty strong person, but there are times that I have felt beat up and exhausted by this work. I often ask him to just give me one more day…”

Her voice cracked as she began to cry.

“I’ve had a lot of opposition, a lot of heartbreaking moments,” she said. “I just always pray for one more day. I may not have won the battle on a particular day, but the war is not over.”

Spread the love

Burns understands that this work is not for everyone. Still, through it all, she can’t imagine doing anything else.

“From time to time, I’ll go to different high schools and speak to students about empathy, respect and other topics,” Burns said. “When I got done with the lecture [recently], there was a line of students who wanted to give me a hug. They were in tears. When I left there, that was just another confirmation that this is what I’m called to do.”

What’s next for Burns? 

She is looking to bring more art into the Buckeye-Woodhill area. 

She is launching a project in the new year focused on intergenerational art. Working with students from Kent State University, she hopes to bring their work to different places in the community. 

“I love the arts,” she said, “so in a way I feel like I’m pouring back into my own cup with this project. I’m really looking forward to it.”

“I know I’ve said it many times before, but I really am in this work by the grace of God. Even in the worst times, I still show up and show up with gratitude,” she said. “It’s not easy, but we have just got to continue to hold on. Just hold on. If you need someone to talk to or love you, I’m here for you.”

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