Delete WardOct 09, 2022
The Values in Action Foundation presented Council President Blaine A. Griffin with the Arnold R. Pinkney Award for Civic Leadership at its 2022 Celebration of Goodness event at Landerhaven. Council President Griffin was one of two recipients for the award, with the other award going to MetroHealth CEO Dr. Akram Boutros. Community leaders Howard Lewis, Beth Mooney, Bob and Joann Glick and MetroHealth also received the Sam Miller Goodness Award at the Celebration of Goodness.
In describing the Arnold R. Pinkney award for Civic Leadership in an interview with the Cleveland Jewish News, Values in Action Foundation CEO Stuart Muszynski stated “After Arnold passed away, with the cooperation of the Pinkney family, we created…the Arnold Pinkney Award for Civic Leadership, specifically targeted at improving the urban community, which is really Arnold’s bailiwick.”
Council President Griffin was humbled to receive the award. For many years he worked side by side with Mr. Pinkney, most notably on the successful campaign for the 2012 Cleveland Schools operating levy. The levy was the first time since 1995 that Cleveland voters approved a “new-money” operating levy, and is considered by many to be the catalyst for the recent improvements in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and its partnering charter schools.
Council President’s wife, three sons, and mother joined him at the event. His oldest son, Royce introduced him as he received the award. Griffin admitted that hearing his son talk about the life lessons learned from his father was a rewarding experience.
Click here to learn more about the Values in Action Foundation.