Ward 5

In 2005, Councilwoman Phyllis Cleveland was elected to serve the Ward 5 community, an area that includes the Central, North Broadway and Kinsman Union neighborhoods.

The Councilwoman’s vision for the ward is to build a strong community by keeping the neighborhood safe, clean and affordable.  She has been a strong advocate in working to rid the City of vacant and abandoned housing and has focused her attention on creating educational opportunities throughout the City because she believes that educating our youth is the key to the future.   

As Councilwoman, she is continuing to expand upon the community and economic development created by her predecessor, Mayor Frank G. Jackson, when he served as Councilman of Ward 5. She chairs the Legislation Committee of Cleveland City Council and will play an integral role in Cleveland City Council’s Charter Review Process.

Councilwoman Cleveland has an extensive background in public and community service.  She served as an Assistant County Prosecutor in the Tax Foreclosure Department for six years and, prior to serving on Cleveland City Council, Councilwoman Cleveland was a Magistrate in the Foreclosure Department of Cuyahoga County Common Please Court.

As an Information and Outreach Specialist for the Cleveland Tenants Organization (CTO), Councilwoman Cleveland focused on housing issues and was a strong and involved advocate for fair and affordable housing for residents of Cuyahoga County.  She also helped establish a community-based mediation program in East Cleveland. 

Councilwoman Cleveland is a long-time resident of the Central community.  Both she and her daughter, who finished in 2007, are graduates of East Technical High School.  Councilwoman Cleveland obtained a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Case Western Reserve University and her law degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

Councilwoman Cleveland is a member of the Norman S. Minor Bar Association and the local African American Bar Association.  She previously served as the President of the Board of Trustees of the Cleveland Tenants Organization and was on the Board of Directors of the Faith Community United Credit Union and the Cleveland Chapter of the Ohio Credit Union League.