Ward 4

About Deborah A. Gray

Council Member Deborah A. Gray proudly represents Ward 4 on Cleveland City Council, which includes the southeast side neighborhoods of Shaker Square and portions of the Buckeye, Woodland Hills, and Mount Pleasant.

A lifelong community advocate, Councilwoman Gray has spent decades working to uplift and empower residents. Her grassroots leadership includes serving as a Buckeye Ambassador, block club president, and member of the St. Luke’s Foundation Resident Advancement Committee. She also co-founded the Informative Action Committee for Cleveland VOTES and Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL), initiatives focused on civic engagement, community wellness and empowering residents.

Since joining City Council, Councilwoman Gray has championed investments in neighborhood parks, including improvements to Luke Easter Park. She has supported new housing and business developments, the revitalization of Buckeye Road, the renovation of the historic Moreland Theater, and upgrades to storefronts and commercial corridors. She also played a key role in funding improvements at Dave’s Supermarket and in shaping the ongoing transformation of Shaker Square.

Before her election, she served as the Democratic Party precinct committeewoman for Ward 4, Precinct F. Her professional background spans corporate, nonprofit, small business, and public sectors. An East Tech graduate, she holds a business degree and is a graduate of the Cleveland Leadership Institute. 

She previously worked for one of Cleveland’s largest employers, gaining experience in organizational operations and workforce development. She also served as a UAW union representative and, most recently, worked in public service at the Cleveland Public Library.

Born in Saginaw, Michigan, Councilwoman Gray moved to Cleveland as a child and has called the Buckeye neighborhood home for many years. She is a dedicated mother of two and a longtime resident, homeowner, and advocate for Cleveland’s southeast side.