Hi guys! Some of you know I’m a journalist for The Cleveland Observer. Recently I wrote an article featuring one of Cleveland’s greatest influences in the literary and entrepreneur communities, however, it wasn’t able to be featured in the paper so I figured I would share it here.

I had an amazing time interviewing Leah Lewis and was greatly encouraged that we have such powerhouses in our city! I hope you enjoy learning more about Leah, more about Cleveland’s leaders and influencers, and the importance of literary development in any community, but especially in urban communities.

Feel free to comment below on any new insights you gained from this article.

Leah Lewis-The Hope for Literary Advancement

Serial Entrepreneur, Founder, and Owner are just a few titles to describe Reverend Dr. Leah Lewis, J.D. 

Although native to Cleveland, Leah has invested much of her life in travel, living in the economic powerhouse of New York City and residing in our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. Her vast experiences in business and the academic arena are now engraved gleaming jewels in her hometown. 

Though she has spearheaded several endeavors, such as Little Lumpy Center and Cocoon Tech Inc., one of her most well-known creations is the Great Lakes African American Writing Conference, fondly known as GLAAWC.

This summer GLAAWC completed its fifth writer’s hub featuring keynote speaker, Walter Mosely at the main branch of the Cleveland Public Library during Cleveland’s Book Week. This event was inclusive of a Sunday brunch where lovers of literature and local authors flocked to a time of literary fulfillment. 

When asked, Leah shared that the experience of such literary fulfillment is one of the marks of true success. In the Reverand’s eyes, once our community achieves an increase in literacy rates, we will undergo greater possibilities, become higher-functioning and live happier lives. We will also be more equipped at the voting polls.

According to the Cuyahoga County Board of Education and The United States Census Bureau, as of October 2022, Cleveland’s voting registration falls around the lower 60th percentile. Leah shares her passionate views that in order for us to demonstrate transformative power in our spheres we need to gain knowledge. And, in order to obtain knowledge, well, we need to read.

Sadly, per the Case Western Reserve University’s, Literacy Needs Assessment Report for Cuyahoga County, only ⅓ of our community reads over a third-grade reading level. This fact drives Leah to curate resources and equip the community with tools to thrive and extol the virtues of African Americans.

“I want us to be revealed in our best light and truest essence,” she says in reference to Blacks in America. This desire for her people to manifest their highest selves undergirds all that she does. 

Her love of people, her love of God, and her love of Cleveland seamlessly orchestrate the outpouring of Leah’s gifts in all of her endeavors and trailblazes a path of success for those who come behind.

This city has truly been an investment for this Yale and Howard Law grad and as a result, the future is bright. Cleveland’s slow-going style, world-class arts community, and affordable lifestyle are just a few perks that keep Leah nestled in her roots in CLE. She has and will continue to inspire her community with the power of being literate.

In other news, did you know that I just dropped the pre-sale for my debut novel When Love Wins? You can check out more here! This time around there is an audiobook in addition to the eBook and paperback versions. Make sure you are subscribed to my email list to catch special offers, discounts, insider information and more!

Are you on Instagram/Facebook? If so, please reach out. I have a series called “Word of the Day Wednesdays” where I share 5-10 minutes worth of nuggets that are on my heart, which I hope are encouraging to others on IGTV/FB Live! I have these also posted on my Youtube Channel.

And, lastly, if you have read “Stories for the (Urban) Soul, please put up an Amazon review here. I was SUPER encouraged and blessed when a new reader put up her review for my 2nd book which you can view here :).

As always thank you for your support!

SHALOM