To understand why I chose to start The Cleveland Climate Institute you needto understand a little bit about me.
In the last 20 years I have had acancer six times. Four of those time theywere different cancers. I am here today writing this because of luck. What doyou mean by luck you might ask. Well, I was lucky to be born just outside ofCleveland, Ohio. Cleveland has some of the best hospitals in the world. I waslucky to be born into a family that loves and supports me. I have been lucky tohave incredible friends and an incredible community that has supported not onlyme but my family as well. I have a friend, partner, and the love of my lifeMaggie, who is the best. I am lucky to have someone who is as kind as she isstrong. Lastly my father, whose love and support gave us a home that beyondcomfortable. This comfort has given me a lot of time to rest, think, and learn.
If a person had one of thosethings, they would be a lucky person. I have all of them. That is incrediblylucky.
During these last 20 years I havealso been lucky enough to work alongside my mother Angie, and one of mybrothers Nick. Through their determination and kindness, they have built one ofthe coolest nonprofits in the world, The Steven G Cancer Foundation. Moreimportantly they created the media arm known as Elephants and Tea. The Steven GCancer Foundation was started with goal of supporting research for Adolescentsand Young Adults facing cancer. Elephants and Tea was founded years later withthe goal of giving a voice to this community. Elephants and Tea has reachedthousands of patients, their families and the medical staff that care for them.I have learned a lot from watching them work.
My educational background is inMathematics. I have an undergraduate degree in Applied Mathematics fromSouthern New Hampshire University, and I just finished my master’s program inMathematics at Cleveland State University.
Beyond math I have always had alove for nature and all forms of science. I have experienced firsthand thepower that both nature and science have for save people's lives. Many of thechemotherapies I have received were derived from fungus and other beings fromnature.
I think though, the most importantthing you can learn about me is I love you.
Wait you what?
You heard me I love you. I believethat all people are deserving of love. They deserved to be treated withdignity, kindness, and love, even if they disagree with me.
My grandmother always said,"Kill them with kindness".
So, guided by my grandmother’slove, strengthened by my skills as a mathematician, inspired by my passion forscience and nature, and shaped by the lessons I’ve learned from my mother andbrother, I strive to find meaningful ways to help others.
This is why I chose to start The Cleveland Climate Institute.
The focus of The Cleveland Climate Instituteis to build and research a multi-faceted approach to climate resilience. Ourclimate is everything. It’s the air you breath, the water you drink, and thesoil your food is grown in. Also, if you live in house most likely it was madeof wood, which requires air, water, and soil. So, no matter how you look at iteverything that gives you comfort comes from the climate. To support a thrivingand resilient community, the community must be resilient to whatever theclimate throws at it.
This work will be hard, but it willbe fulfilling. We aim to work with the communities we hope to help. I am nothere to tell you what you need to do. I am here to teach people to interpretthe world around them and truly understand what is at stake. This organizationmight have been born in my mind, but it will be the hand of everyone else thatwill help make this a success.
Let's build a better present and aresilient future. I hope you will come on this journey with me and theincredible people working with me.