Pictured are East Cleveland mayoral candidate Una H.R. Keenon (wearing red turtleneck sweater), Ohio 11th Congressional District Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (wearing blue-green suit jacket), and Charles E. Biib Sr., president of the Carnegie Roundtable and the Ohio 8th [state legislative] District Black Caucus

CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM- CLEVELAND, Ohio-U.S. Rep. Marcia L. Fudge, a Warrensville Heights Democrat and one of two Blacks in congress from Ohio, joined some 150 people, including community activists, the Greater Cleveland Clergy Alliance, and members of the Black Women's PAC, at the campaign headquarters of Una H.R. Keenon on Tuesday to endorse Keenon for mayor of East Cleveland, a largely Black and impoverished suburb of Cleveland.

A tireless federal lawmaker and likely the most prominent Black elected official in Ohio, Fudge said that Keenon, who faces three candidates for the Sept. 12 Democratic primary, all of them men, is the best person for the job.

"Judge Keenon, whom I have known since law school, was called to be a public servant," said Fudge, whose largely Black 11th congressional district includes Cleveland and East Cleveland.

Keenon told ClevelandUrbanNews.Com and the KathyWrayColemanOnlineNewsBlog.Com, Ohio's most read digital Black newspaper and Black blog, that she believes she is the best candidate and that she has "proven experience and proven leadership."

Charles E. Bibb Sr., president of the Carnegie Roundtable and the Ohio 8th [state legislative] District Black Caucus, introduced the congresswoman at the event.

"It was a great opportunity to introduce Congresswoman Fudge, one of the most influential lawmaker's in congress who last year chaired the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia," said Bibb. "The congresswoman's endorsement is a great accomplishment for Una Keenon in her bid for East Cleveland mayor."

Currently president of the East Cleveland Board of Education, Keenon, a 31-year-resident of the city, is a retired city judge and a former social worker and prior Cleveland schools teacher.

If Keenon wins the primary over Democratic candidates Mansell Baker, Dana Hawkins Jr. and mayor Brandon King, who, per the city charter, was elevated from city council ro mayor after voters last year recalled then mayor Gary Norton, she will face activist Devin Branch, a Green Party candidate with no opposition, in the Nov. 7 general election.

On Tuesday, Keenon outlined a 10-point plan to improve the city, which has roughly 18, 000 residents and a median household income of some $20,000, and is on the verge of bankruptcy.

Among a host of initiatives, Keenon's plan for recovery of the Black city, addresses jobs, crime and safety, and housing and economic development.

Also a founding member of the Black Women's PAC and currently its vice president, Keenon has also been endorsed by the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish, and state Rep. John Barnes Jr. (D-12), among others.