Cleveland International Hall of Fame Inductions
Class of 2025
April 22, 2025 Windows on the River
Since 2010, the Cleveland International Hall of Fame (CIHF) has inducted people who have made significant and lasting contributions to our multicultural society. Cleveland is home to people representing about 120 different ethnic groups. The CIHF exists not only to honor those special people but also to inspire a new generation of leaders to follow in their footsteps.
Over 100 worthy candidates were nominated for the 2025 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. The selection committee was advised by previously inducted members of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.
The 2025 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame induction dinner ceremony was held on Tuesday April 22, 2025 at Windows on the River.
2025 Class Picture (Raj Aggarwal not in photo)
After a cocktail/networking hour, MC Russ Mitchell asked the crowd to stand for the presenting of the colors. John Marshall JROTC students marched in and presented the colors while William Clarence Marshall III led the singing of the national anthem.
MC Russ Mitchell
John Marshall JROTC presents the colors
Russ Mitchell and William Clarence Marshall III
William Clarence Marshall III
National Anthem
Watch a video of the powerful national anthem.
Then Russ Mitchell gave welcoming remarks and introduced Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin. President Griffin began by asking for a moment of silence for Cleveland International Hall of Fame co-founder Debbie Hanson who sadly passed away the week before. He then have a welcome on behalf of City Council.
Russ Mitchell and City Council President Blaine Griffin
City Council President Blaine Griffin
Blaine Griffin acknowledged his mentor Mayor Frank G. Jackson
Angela Shute-Woodson, Director of Community Relations and Senior Advisor to the Mayor, gave welcoming remarks on behalf of Mayor Justin Bibb and the city of Cleveland.
Angela Shute-Woodson
Cleveland International Hall of Fame co-founder Dan Hanson gave his welcoming remarks. He thanked Russ Mitchell and the sponsors and other participants and recognized over 20 previous inductees who were in attendance as well as Croatian Ambassador to the US Pjer Šimunovic, Consul General of Slovenia Suzana Cesarek and honorary consuls from several nations from the Cleveland Consular Corps.
Cleveland International Hall of Fame co-founder Dan Hanson
Russ Mitchell
Russ Mitchell introduced Sister Rita Mary Harwood who retired after 27 years with the Catholic Diocese for some brief inspirational remarks.
Sister Rita Mary Harwood
Russ then introduced Imam Ramez Islambouli from CWRU for the invocation before dinner.
Imam Ramez Islambouli
After dinner, Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne gave his welcoming remarks.
Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne
Watch a video of the remarks from Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin, Angela Shute-Woodson, Director of Community Relations and Senior Advisor to the Mayor, Sister Rita Mary Harwood, Imam Ramez Islambouli and Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne.
Then Russ Mitchell began the induction ceremony.
Russ Mitchell
Click on the links below to see photos, bios and video of the inductees at the Hall of Fame.
After the inductions, Russ Mitchell gave his final remarks.
Russ Mitchell
Before adjournment and the Class Photo, Dan Hanson led the customary toast to the 6 new inductees: Raj Aggarwal, David Gilbert, Mayor Frank G. Jackson, Beverly Kerecman, Branka Malinar and Svetlana Stolyarova. The attendees were asked to say a toast in the language of their heritage so Dan used the Irish "Sláinte". Watch the short video of the toast.
Dan Hanson leads the customary toast to the 6 new inductees
