Author Archives: Olivera Perkins

Economics Reporter (she/her)
Economics is often thought of as a lofty topic, but it shouldn’t be. My goal is to offer a street-level view of economics. My focus is on how the economy affects the lives of Greater Clevelanders. My areas of coverage include jobs, housing, entrepreneurship, unions, wealth inequality and pocketbook issues such as inflation.

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The Anthony A. Celebrezze Federal Building in downtown Cleveland. Unions and others opposing the Trump administration cutting the federal workforce will hold a rally in the front of the building on Thursday. Two people walk out of the building with many windows.

Rally to support federal workers in Cleveland as job cuts loom

by Olivera Perkins February 19, 2025February 19, 2025

The Black Business Expo at Case Western Reserve University. This 2024 photo shows a woman giving another woman a chair massage.

CWRU Black Business Expo offers the chance to shop with more than 40 Greater Cleveland vendors

by Olivera Perkins February 10, 2025February 9, 2025

A 2024 Employment Collaborative of Cuyahoga County job fair. A woman assists a man in a motorized wheelchair with his employment application.

Looking for a job that helps people with disabilities? This hiring event is for you

by Olivera Perkins February 10, 2025February 7, 2025

A person walks into the Anthony A. Celebrezze Federal Building in downtown Cleveland. The front of the building is made of glass and metal.

Getting rid of federal workers in Greater Cleveland may not be that easy. Here’s why

by Olivera Perkins February 3, 2025February 2, 2025

The Cuyahoga EITC Coalition is doing filers' income taxes for free at four events in January. This photo shows a 1040 tax return form.

Free income tax prep help in Greater Cleveland

by Olivera Perkins January 29, 2025January 30, 2025

Participants at a recent pay equity panel held by the Northeast Ohio Worker Center. It is a group shot of about 20 people, most of whom are women.

Proposed law would ban salary questions on job applications in Cleveland

by Olivera Perkins January 27, 2025January 28, 2025

Brian Pearson, the new head of the North Shore AFL-CIO Federation of Labor. He is speaking through a bullhorn at a demonstration held last year at REI co-op's Cleveland area store.

New Northeast Ohio AFL-CIO labor leader intends to fight Trump administration if they plan to lay off federal unionized workers

by Olivera Perkins January 22, 2025January 22, 2025

Cleveland will hold a hiring event at Cudell Neighborhood Resource and Recreation Center noon to 3 p.m. on Feb. 8. It is one of four such hiring events the city is holding until March to fill seasonal summer jobs at city rec centers. This is exterior photo of the Cudell rec center.

Cleveland is hiring for summer jobs for adults and teens at city recreation centers

by Olivera Perkins January 21, 2025January 21, 2025

A woman in a red jacket poses and smiles.

Community Reporting

‘We’re fighting this together’: Once homeless, Ronieta Lee helps people get out of shelters and into stable homes

by Olivera Perkins January 14, 2025January 14, 2025

Nominees to Cleveland’s Fair Employment Wage Board join Council members April 24, 2024 at the Mayor’s Appointments Committee. Council is expected to approve these nominees on Monday: Camilo Villa, field representative for SEIU Local 1; Bishop Eugene Ward, Jr., executive pastor and CEO of Greater Love Baptist Church and Kate Warren, special assistant to the chief of integrated development in Mayor Justin Bibb’s administration (Left to right) Councilman Anthony T. Hairston, Ward, Warren, Villa, Council President Blaine A. Griffin and Councilman Kris Harsh

Cleveland’s Fair Employment Wage Board meets after 20-plus years

by Olivera Perkins January 2, 2025January 22, 2025