By CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN
A new documentary was shot in Cleveland this summer. From east side to west, the project tells the stories of civic leaders serving 59 cities, villages and townships in Cuyahoga County in 2024.
With the support of the Rotary Club of Cleveland, the Cleveland Photo Fest presented “Mayors, Managers, and Trustees—A Portrait of Cuyahoga County Officials.” The photo exhibit, on display at the Bostwick Design Art Initiative through this past September, has been donated to the Cleveland History Center for inclusion in its permanent collection.
World-renowned photo documentarian and lifelong Clevelander Herb Ascherman, Jr., conceived the idea years ago. With the help of the nonprofit Cleveland Photo Fest and support from the Rotary Club of Cleveland, his vision for the documentary took shape. In all, 62 civic leaders were photographed in black and white by professional photographers in their city setting.

Chagrin Falls Mayor William Tomko is pictured at the iconic Popcorn Shop.

Ascherman contends that the photo collection is a snapshot of the face of civic engagement and politics today. “With a display of 60 portraits printed 16 inches by 20 inches in black and white, from Cleveland to Cleveland Heights to Bay Village and more, you are presented with a mosaic of today’s leaders. You even get a sense of their dedication, their struggles, and their successes as they work for the constituents they serve,” he said.
For instance, in the exhibit, you will find Mayor Bibb in his office at Cleveland’s City Hall while Mayor David Weiss stands tall from the rooftop in the Van Aken District in Shaker Heights. You see Independence Mayor Gregory P. Kurtz in front of the City Hall columns and Chagrin Falls Mayor William Tomko at the iconic Popcorn Shop. Parma Heights Mayor Marie Gallo poses at one of the city’s public playgrounds. Maple Heights Mayor Annette Blackwell, the city’s first female and first Black mayor, beams in front of portraits of her predecessors, those who served before she broke barriers with her election. There are stories within each portrait.
Sixty-two city leaders participated in the project, including 57 mayors plus trustees and fiscal officers of two townships. Each participant received their own black and white print. A copy of each photo was sent to and is housed at Cleveland History Center.
Rotary Club of Cleveland decided to support the project with a grant after a club visit from Mayor Justin Bibb. “Mayors tell us stories about ourselves…who we are, where we came from, and what we can be,” Cleveland Rotarian Sue Nelson said. Fellow Rotarian Tina Ingraham agreed saying, “Our Rotary Club was started by civic leaders who wanted to make a difference in Cleveland. We felt supporting this project would help to share each city’s story with generations to come, with the hope that it will inspire people to stay engaged in helping their communities strive.”
Rotary Club of Cleveland was founded in 1910, the 18th Rotary Club to be chartered. It is part of a global network of 1.4 million community leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary Club of Cleveland serves the community with projects directly benefiting local organizations doing good in the community. Its projects include Thesmacher High School Recognition Day, recognizing Cleveland Municipal School District high achievers, College Now! Scholarships, Achievement Centers of Cleveland, The Literacy Cooperative of Cleveland, and Vocational Service Awards of Excellence bestowed upon students at Cleveland State University and Cuyahoga Community College. The motto of the Rotary Club of Cleveland is, “Service above self.” For more information, visit www.rotaryclubofcleveland.com.