United Black Fund Partners With Greater Cleveland Aquarium

Press release from Greater Cleveland Aquarium:

Jan. 13, 2021

Greater Cleveland Aquarium and the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland, Inc. (UBF) launched their annual Martin Luther King Jr Day friend- and fund-raising event in 2015. While the Aquarium will be open to the public on January 18, its current social distancing measures don’t allow for large-scale gatherings. The two organizations knew they’d need to explore new outreach avenues in 2021. United Black Fund Executive Director Cecil J. Lipscomb, CNM, saw potential in looking for different ways to engage. “This strange world we find ourselves in right now is challenging, but it also provides opportunities to reimagine the possibilities.” Aquarium GM Stephanie White knew it was particularly important to highlight an organization providing support in a difficult time. “United Black Fund agencies are helping to break down barriers to prosperity, equity, education and social justice by providing our community with access to much-needed resources,” says White.

This year, the Aquarium will give its audiences multiple ways to contribute to the nonprofit throughout the holiday weekend, not only posting ‘text to donate’ signage on-site and promoting a UBF donation link online, but also presenting a 20-minute online Tropical Forest Gallery tour with all proceeds going to UBF. (The Online MLK Day Gallery Visit benefiting United Black Fund will be delivered Monday, January 18 @4pm for a $5 UBF donation with advance registration.) “Your whole family can participate in a live, online tour led by an Aquarium educator and learn about fascinating animals from the Amazon River Basin, and we’ll pass along your five-dollar program registration as a donation to our friends at UBF,” says White. In February the Aquarium will donate several online education and career programs to participants benefiting from UBF-sponsored agencies.

The United Black Fund empowers nonprofit agencies addressing issues of race, diversity, equity, inclusion, poverty and social justice in Northeast Ohio. More recently, the transformation-driven organization has also started sharing its knowledge and replicable programs more broadly, helping to strengthen communities around the world. "The resources UBF provides are expanding by leaps and bounds,” explains Lipscomb adding, “What the leadership and staff of UBF have on their side is the perseverance of the human spirit. It has not gone unnoticed as we raise awareness of the vital roles we play. The tangible resources are obvious—supporting programs in the areas of education, workforce development and basic needs. But, just as critical, is sharing, learning, teaching and helping, as we go about our activities designed to build a stronger community.”

Over the past six years, more than 11,000 Aquarium-goers have donated to Ohio’s only Black federated human services organization. Lipscomb says UBF can’t accomplish it goals alone. “The importance of philanthropy was especially highlighted in 2019 with The Soul of Philanthropy-Cleveland, and the shared vision, manifested by the donations from all walks of life throughout Northeast Ohio, was clearly seen by all. To quote Martin Luther King, Jr. on this day, "Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” Our answer is, ‘We will continue to show you.’”

White looks forward to future collaborations. “The Aquarium's signage, exhibits and events regularly illustrate how our actions impact the natural world, but partnering throughout the year with organizations like United Black Fund or the Hunger Network gives us opportunities to share how we all can make a difference for other people,” she says.

For Greater Cleveland Aquarium ticket information or to register for MLK Day virtual program benefiting UBF, call 216.862.8803 or greaterclevelandaquarium.com. To learn more about the United Black Fund and to review the interactive 2019/2020 Annual Report to the Community, visit unitedblackfund.org.

ONLINE MLK DAY GALLERY VISIT
MONDAY, JANUARY 18 @4PM
$5; all fees will be donated to the United Black Fund
Register here.

Take a 20-minute live, narrated Aquarium tour AND support the United Black Fund without leaving the couch. For just $5, get up-close views of animals in the Tropical Forest Gallery while learning about the conservation of endangered habitats and the often-overlooked freshwater diversity in our world.

This program takes place on Zoom and requires pre-registration. A Zoom link will be emailed prior to the program. Virtual programs do not include in-person Aquarium admission. Participating parties are responsible for having internet access. Payment is required upon registration. We recommend no more than 4 people per screen.

This press release was produced by Greater Cleveland Aquarium. The views expressed here are the author's own.