GREATER CLEVELAND AQUARIUM SPOTLIGHTING AFRICAN AMERICAN MARINE SCIENCE & COMMUNITY DIFFERENCEMAKERS

$1 of Every January 16 – 27 Guest Ticket to Benefit United Black Fund

Cleveland, OH – Greater Cleveland Aquarium and the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland Inc. (UBF) launched their annual Martin Luther King Jr Day friend- and fund-raising partnership eight years ago. Due to short-term mid-January stingray touch pool filtration improvement project that could briefly impact Coastal Boardwalk Gallery guest traffic flow in the Aquarium, the one-day cooperative outreach campaign will be extended to a nearly two-week timespan—Monday, January 16 – Friday, January 27, 2023. “After two pandemic-compromised years, we wanted to be sure to provide ample space and opportunity for guests to learn about and contribute to this important organization in our community,” says Aquarium GM Stephanie White. Admission January 16 – 27, 2023, will be reduced temporarily to $14.95 for adults and $8.95 for children ages 2-12, and one dollar from each ticket sold donated directly to UBF.* Additionally, guests will be invited to make roundup donations or “Text to Give” by sending UBF to 50155.

United Black Fund empowers nonprofit agencies addressing issues of race, diversity, equity, inclusion, poverty and social justice in Northeast Ohio, and over the years more than 12,000 Aquarium-goers have donated to Ohio’s only Black federated human services organization. Over the past several years the transformation-driven organization has begun sharing its knowledge and replicable programs to make a global impact. “The Jr Day friend- and fund-raising partnership eight years ago. Due to short-term mid-January stingray touch pool filtration improvement project that could briefly impact Coastal Boardwalk Gallery guest traffic flow in the Aquarium, the one-day cooperative outreach campaign will be extended to a nearly two-week timespan—Monday, January 16 – Friday, January 27, 2023. “After two pandemic-compromised years, we wanted to be sure to provide ample space and opportunity for guests to learn about and contribute to this important organization in our community,” says Aquarium GM Stephanie White. Admission January 16 – 27, 2023, will be reduced temporarily to $14.95 for adults and $8.95 for children ages 2-12, and one dollar from each ticket sold donated directly to UBF.* Additionally, guests will be invited to make roundup donations or “Text to Give” by sending UBF to 50155.

United Black Fund empowers nonprofit agencies addressing issues of race, diversity, equity, inclusion, poverty and social justice in Northeast Ohio, and over the years more than 12,000 Aquarium-goers have donated to Ohio’s only Black federated human services organization. Over the past several years the transformation-driven organization has begun sharing its knowledge and replicable programs to make a global impact. “The resources UBF provides are expanding by leaps and bounds,” explains UBF Executive Director Cecil J. Lipscomb, CNM, adding “Just as critical as supporting education, workforce development and basic needs programs is learning, sharing, teaching and helping others establish sustainable activities to build stronger communities.”

“At the Aquarium we often point out how human actions impact the natural world but partnering with United Black Fund gives us the chance to celebrate people making a difference for people,” White says. Signage throughout the Aquarium will share stories of African Americans breaking down barriers in science—like trailblazing marine biologist Dr. Ernest Everett Just whose career journey is still inspiring non-white students to pursue careers in biomedical professions, or mother-and-daughter duo Dr. Nevada and Taylor-Simon Winrow who started the Black Girls Dive Foundation, cultivating the next generation of researchers, conservationists and planetary stewards.

“UBF can’t accomplish its goals alone and our partnership with this family-friendly STEM destination provides another opportunity to engage the community,” says Lipscomb. “Martin Luther King, Jr. said life’s most resources UBF provides are expanding by leaps and bounds,” explains UBF Executive Director Cecil J. Lipscomb, CNM, adding “Just as critical as supporting education, workforce development and basic needs programs is learning, sharing, teaching and helping others establish sustainable activities to build stronger communities.”

“At the Aquarium we often point out how human actions impact the natural world but partnering with United Black Fund gives us the chance to celebrate people making a difference for people,” White says. Signage throughout the Aquarium will share stories of African Americans breaking down barriers in science—like trailblazing marine biologist Dr. Ernest Everett Just whose career journey is still inspiring non-white students to pursue careers in biomedical professions, or mother-and-daughter duo Dr. Nevada and Taylor-Simon Winrow who started the Black Girls Dive Foundation, cultivating the next generation of researchers, conservationists and planetary stewards.

“UBF can’t accomplish its goals alone and our partnership with this family-friendly STEM destination provides another opportunity to engage the community,” says Lipscomb. “Martin Luther King, Jr. said life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ Our answer is, ‘We will continue to show you.’”

For Greater Cleveland Aquarium ticket information, call 216.862.8803 or greaterclevelandaquarium.com. To learn more about the United Black Fund, visit unitedblackfund.org.

*NOTE: Greater Cleveland Aquarium is open 10am – 5pm daily. Regular admission (returning January 28, 2023)  is $19.95 (ages 13+), $13.95 (ages 2-12) and free (under age 2 and Passholders with advance reservations).

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UNITED BLACK FUND OF GREATER CLEVELAND increases access to funding and strengthens the capacity of organizations and agencies that serve African American and impoverished communities by leveraging resources and partnerships to positively impact the economically disadvantaged, underserved and disenfranchised. To donate, text UBF to 50155 or click here.

GREATER CLEVELAND AQUARIUM energizes curiosity about aquatic life and the environment to inspire positive action