Community Leadership through the Generations with CKWC
How does someone become a community leader? Who do they learn from—and where do they go to lead?
At Environmental Health Watch, we believe the answers are rooted in the lived experience. We center our work on initiatives that value resident voice and we focus on supporting the development of the next generation of grassroots leaders.
One initiative under our Healthy People program demonstrates that vision in action. Central and Kinsman are two of Cleveland’s oldest historically Black neighborhoods—rich in culture and community, but long impacted by redlining, disinvestment and food apartheid. In response, residents are taking matters into their own hands and working to start the country’s first 100% black owned farm stop to resolve the grocery access issues plaguing their community.
While EHW and partner organizations help facilitate and support this work, it is residents who set the agenda and lead the charge.
Two of those leaders are Gwen Garth and Keshaun Raum—neighbors separated by nearly six decades in age, but united by their commitment to Central and Kinsman.
Keshaun, a fledgling youth organizer, sees promise in his community. “It’s not bad,” he says. “There’s tons of fun activities around. The kids play games outside.” He’s active in the CKWC, organizes cleanups with his friends, and sells water around the neighborhood—reinvesting his earnings into more cases of water and the occasional treat for himself. But his goals are much bigger: “I’m here to make my dreams come true. Make the community safer. Make it cleaner.”
Gwen shares that vision—and sees her own past in his path. “I know from studying myself,” she says, “when my spirit is down, something’s going on. My job wasn’t getting it. Church wasn’t getting it. School wasn’t getting it. So I got involved. I learned I’m really a community person. When you make one or two steps, the universe conspires with you.”
“Community person” is an understatement. Gwen has been a force in Central for over two decades: starting gardens, painting murals, and mentoring youth. Her connection with Keshaun began long before the CKWC. Years ago, they met while Gwen was leading art activities at the Friendly Inn. Not long after, Keshaun knocked on her door with an idea. “He said to me, ‘Could I get a piece of your artwork to sell?’ I was flabbergasted. Honored. I gave him some supplies and a few dollars.”
Today, Gwen and Keshaun are reunited in CKWC. She beams when talking about him: “I don’t have a grandson. I’ve lost four boys to the streets. But I don’t want to see that happen to you,” she tells him. “We turn tragedy into something good. I’m honored he would choose my door. He’s courageous.”
The CKWC is a place where generations connect—where past, present, and future organizers come together to build something lasting. Gwen and Keshaun’s story is just one of many. This is why resident leadership is central to EHW’s mission. The heart of transformation lies in the people who live it every day. Their vision. Their culture. Their power.
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