Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper and ODP Chair of Political Engagement Nina Turner, a Cleveland Democrat and former state senator.

By By Kathy Wray Coleman, editor-in-chief, Cleveland Urban News. Com and The Cleveland Urban News.Com Blog, Ohio's Most Read Online Black Newspaper and Newspaper Blog, Tel: (216) 659-0473 Kathy Wray Coleman is  a community activist, educator, and 21-year investigative journalist who trained for 17 years at the Call and Post Newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio.

(www.clevelandurbannews.com) / (www.kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com)

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio-The Shaker Heights Democrats, Cleveland Stonewall Democrats, Cuyahoga Democratic Women’s Caucus, and the Northeast Ohio Young Black Democrats will welcome Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper and former state senator Nina Turner of Cleveland, the chair of political engagement for the ODP, at a forum at the Cleveland Heights Community Center at 7 pm on Tuesday, February 10. (Editor's note: The Cleveland Heights Community Center is at 1 Monticello Boulevard, at the northwest corner of Mayfield Road and Monticello Blvd, two blocks west of Lee Road).

The meeting is open-to-the-public and refreshments will be provided, organizers said.  It is being billed as an opportunity for people to learn about "what the Ohio Democratic Party (ODP) will be doing to advance progressive candidates to fight for good education, access to healthcare, a fair and strong economy, equality and more."

The decision by the state Democratic party to initiate a grassroots campaign at local levels like Cleveland Heights, a suburb of Cleveland and a middle class community that is roughly 43 percent Black,  comes as 2016 presidential election nears and Ohio remains a pivotal state, not to mention that Cleveland will host the Republican National Convention next year.

“Everything in politics starts at the local level, including good candidates, good ideas, and critical services,” said Pepper, who won the job to lead the state Democratic party last month.

“It’s great to have Democrats in the U.S. Senate and the White House, but if we don’t support and cultivate our leaders at the local level, those of us living on Main Street from Cuyahoga County to Butler County are in real trouble," said Turner.

(www.clevelandurbannews.com) / (www.kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com)