The Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation (FRDC) recently honored three prominent leaders in Cleveland’s civil rights history and political scene with its 18^th Louis Stokes Community Visionary Awards, recognizing decades of dedication to uplifting their community and fighting for social justice.

On Friday, Sept. 19, at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown, FRDC presented the awards to former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Marcia Fudge; former Cleveland City Council President and workforce and civil rights advocate George Forbes; and former pastor of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church and civil rights leader Reverend Dr. Otis Moss Jr.

The Louis Stokes Community Visionary Award honors and recognizes people who are committed to community development, provide leadership and vision, and help maintain the quality of life for those who live and work in communities such as Fairfax.

The award was first presented to Stokes in 1996 to honor him for his work in designating Cleveland an Empowerment Zone, as well as his work with FRDC in completing the Bicentennial Project—the only legacy project for Cleveland's Bicentennial.

A special recognition

For Fudge, who served as HUD Secretary under President Joe Biden after representing Ohio’s 11th Congressional District for more than a decade, the award carries deep personal meaning.

“It’s interesting because I do often get awards or recognitions, but this one was special because it was named for Lou Stokes,” she says. “And it was especially rewarding for me to be with two people that I have such high regard for, such respect: Dr. Moss and George Forbes are just real special people. They are icons in this community… It means an awful lot to me.”

Attorney Forbes, 94, who served as Cleveland City Council president, Cleveland NAACP president, played a large role electing Louis Stokes as the first Black mayor in a major U.S. city and founded the largest minority-owned law firm in Ohio, expresses similar gratitude.

“Well, when you get to be 94 years old, all of them are important, but this one is special,” he says. “I appreciate it. You know, I really do.”

Moss, who recently turned 90, sees the recognition as encouragement to continue his work. “To receive the Louis Stokes Community Visionary Award is a great honor and motivation—at 90 years old, to keep on keeping on until God says well done,” he says, adding that he has advice for the younger generations.

“To young people I say, ‘strive for excellence and never give up, learn to build and give, and, by all means, learn from past struggles and victories,” Moss advises. “Learn from elders and prepare to be all that you can be for yourself, your children, and your children’s children.”

Lifetimes of service

Fudge, Moss, and Stokes have each spent decades breaking barriers and advancing justice. Forbes, for instance, reflects on his years working to ensure Black Clevelanders had equal access to jobs, housing, and city services.

“I spent a lifetime trying to make sure that we participated in what was going on in the city of Cleveland—that was my dedication,” he says. “And then, for somebody to recognize that you did a pretty fair job, it makes me say that I probably did the right thing.”

Fudge says her greatest achievement had not been in her job titles, but in trust. “I’ve never called myself a politician, I’ve always called myself a public servant,” she says. “For people to believe that I worked for them every day—that’s my greatest accomplishment.”

For Moss, the achievement lies in fighting racism and nurturing growth. “[I’m proud of] helping youth and adults grow and achieve at all age levels and fighting barriers of racism,” he says, “[I’m proud of] opening doors of opportunity for present and future generations and helping to establish international education programs.”

Courage and sacrifice

All three leaders agree that leadership requires courage, which can be isolating and comes with sacrifice. “Not afraid,” Forbes simply says, when asked what advice he has for future leaders.

“That’s right,” Fudge adds. “It takes courage to lead. People don’t realize that it takes a lot of courage. You just cannot go out there timid.”

Moss points to “unselfish service” as the core of leadership. “Our church continues to be a seven-day-a-week programmatic place and institution,” he says. “I think one of the most outstanding contributions that a leader can make is unselfish service.”

Looking back, looking forward

As the three honorees reflect on the progress that has been made over their decades of work, they also note the challenges ahead.

Forbes recalls demanding developers set aside jobs for Black workers during the rebuilding of downtown Cleveland and its neighborhoods in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Fudge expresses her alarm at recent political shifts, including the dismantling of fair housing enforcement.

“I have never been as afraid as I am for my country until today,” she says. “I’m the patriot. I’m the one that believes in the rule of law and the Constitution and civility, decency, and tolerance.”

Moss highlights neighborhood revitalization in Fairfax and Hough as positive change, while calling for expanded education, childcare, and job training. “We need enhanced education programs and human services in our most underserved neighborhoods,” he says.

Despite challenges, Moss remains motivated by his faith and history. “I wake up every morning, knowing that there’s a blessing and opportunity and a challenge waiting to be embraced—liberation is a lifetime journey,” he says. “Giving up [has not been] on my mind or my agenda all my life. Let me die working—still tackling plans, unfinished tasks undone. Let me go to my end doing my best.”

Reflecting on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech in Memphis on April 3, 1968, the day before his assassination, Moss says, “I have come too far, seen too many good things, witnessed too many victories to ever think about giving up.

“There is a verse in the book of Psalms, which says, ‘I had fainted unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living,’” Moss continues. “There is another verse in the New Testament, which says, ‘In the world you shall have tribulations, but be of good cheer (that is, never give up). I have overcome the world.’”