Legacy in Action at Rally CLE
LEADERSHIP ACROSS GENERATIONS
“The young people, the kids, the babies—is why I want to do this,” said Ericka Stewart, a Brooklyn Centre resident who shared her inspiration for leading one of 11 community improvement projects for Rally CLE this September. “Being able to create a safe space [for them] gets me closer to God. I'm grateful that I'm able to do it, and I give all glory to Him.”
Rally CLE, BHITC’s one-day community event, brought together residents of the Clark-Fulton, Stockyards, and Brooklyn Centre neighborhoods on a lovely September Saturday. After months of collaboration with a core BHITC staff team planning details, guidance from local leaders, and support from church partners across Cleveland area, the sixth annual Rally CLE highlighted the creativity, tenacity and talent of neighborhood residents. Stewart, along with another long-time resident and Rally CLE project leader, Art Ledger, stood out for their shared purpose of empowering the youth.
Ericka’s project was a mural titled "Graves II Gardens," a symbolic project that bridges the past and the present. King’s Church partnered with Ericka on the project. The mural is split into two sections: one side honors members of the community who have passed away. The other side, left unfinished, invited current residents to contribute their own ideas.
The mural was more than just an artistic expression—it was a way of inviting younger community members to engage. Ericka is a student at Cleveland State University and artist from the Brooklyn Centre neighborhood. Raised on the near west side, Ericka’s connection to her community runs deep. She grew up across the street from her elementary school and spent countless hours in the local park as a child. Now, as a young adult, her involvement in the community has evolved.
“It's been quite the experience having two nieces and interacting with them in the space where I was once a child. I like it because I have a different perspective. I’ve had the same view of the school from my porch for 19 years, but now I’m in a different place, and that shows my growth.”
During the pandemic, Ericka faced the loss of two uncles. This pushed her to step up as a leader within her household. Around this same time, she was introduced to community organizing through a high school mural program demonstrating art's power to unite, which she now applies in neighborhood work.
That commitment to community well being is alive and well in Art Ledger, too. He has lived on W. 48th Street for over 40 years and owns several properties that provide housing for neighbors in need, while also maintaining gardens, an orchard, and a welcoming park. As a skilled taxidermist, he owns and manages the International Village Wildlife Museum. Last year, following the devastating loss of his beloved wife, Kat, Art remained dedicated to serving his community by leading his block club. This commitment not only honors their shared passion for community engagement, but also preserves their legacy within the neighborhood. This year, his contribution to Rally CLE took the form of a vibrant block party with the help of Providence Church and Site Coordinator, Andrew Kennedy.
“Art wanted to host an event which could be a day of fun for the kids. He was adamant about having a bounce house, games, and music,” Andrew shared. “Most of all, he wanted to operate a hayride. He said he grew up in a rural area and wanted to bring a piece of this experience to the kids living in the urban environment of the Clark-Fulton neighborhood.”
While Art’s block party was a celebration, it was also an investment in the youth of his neighborhood. “Art expressed his desire to ‘pass the torch’ as the block leader,” said Andrew. “He said it was important for the next leader(s) to be within the community.” By demonstrating leadership through Rally CLE and other block club events, Art is preparing the next generation to take on the mantle of leadership in the community.
Though decades apart in age and experience, Art and Ericka share a common vision: the belief that the future of their community depends on the active engagement of the next generation. Both leaders, in their own ways, strengthen their neighborhood and ensure that the community’s spirit lives on, both in celebration and in remembrance. Rally CLE wasn't just a day of service—it was a powerful display of God's presence shining brightly through His people, building bridges between past and future.
