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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This photo shows Marquez Brown, the Cleveland regional director for AFSCME Ohio Council 8, canvassing in Euclid in late August. He is part of the North Shore AFL-CIO Federation of Labor's door knocking campaign aimed at getting union members and retirees to support the re-election of U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown. The volunteer canvassers, who are all union members, are also asking their fellow union members to support Issue 1, the anti-gerrymandering amendment to the Ohio Constitution. Brown is walking down the street look at his cellphone, with a canvassing app on it. He is wearing a bright green AFSCME T-shirt.

How unions are door-knocking for Democrats in a Republican state

by Olivera Perkins September 6, 2024October 18, 2024

Business, Explainers, Government

Here’s how renters can avoid paying inflated late charges and other ‘junk fees’

by Olivera Perkins August 23, 2024October 19, 2024

Many landlords and property management companies in Greater Cleveland charge "Junk fees." This illustration shows a list of junk fees, including late fees, processing fees and administration fees.

Business, Government

How ‘junk fees’ can squeeze renters and even trigger evictions

by Olivera Perkins August 22, 2024October 18, 2024

The Huntington Bank branch at 11623 Buckeye Road in Cleveland's Buckeye–Shaker neighborhood closed Feb. 9. Residents organized and convinced the bank to reopen the branch. The branch will reopen at the end of October. This photo shows the exterior of the branch with its green and white signs.

‘The narrative has to change’: How residents saved the Huntington Buckeye branch

by Olivera Perkins August 15, 2024October 18, 2024

The Huntington bank branch on Buckeye Road in Cleveland will reopen in October, bank officials announced Monday.Keep Huntington on Buckeye, a committee of area residents, had lobbied for months to keep the branch open. This photo shows intersection where branch is situated.

Huntington Buckeye Road branch will reopen in October

by Olivera Perkins August 12, 2024October 18, 2024

Meghann Hennen's Side Hustle is Challah at Meg, a home-based bakery. She make challah, the Jewish braided bread. Here, she holds a loaf in her Shaker Heights kitchen.

‘The Challah Lady is here’: Meghann Hennen makes Jewish braided bread

by Olivera Perkins August 6, 2024October 18, 2024

A new report, "Driving Growth: The Economic Value of Child Care" says that a lack of adequate, affordable child care is straining Greater Cleveland's families and economy. In 2023, students at Good Beginnings child care center in Maple Heights take a break from the classroom to play outside the center in the Southgate USA strip mall.Teacher Felicia Lee (with bubble maker) joins them. So does Trina Mims, the center's owner and director.

$10K a year for child care? Cost, accessibility causing crisis for parents, study shows

by Olivera Perkins July 25, 2024October 18, 2024

The Cleveland skyline and Cuyahoga river from the Towpath

Biden administration official meeting with Cleveland unions

by Olivera Perkins July 24, 2024October 18, 2024

Cleveland City Council is pushing for more affordable housing in the neighborhoods, saying that new construction needs to go beyond luxury units.Council recently approved $49 million to help with building affordable housing. The illustration shows several rows of houses. Only one is green with a yellow door.

Business, Government, News

Push for more affordable housing long overdue, Cleveland council members say

by Olivera Perkins July 18, 2024October 18, 2024

The City of Cleveland is seeking the input of residents in devising a strategy aimed at improving the economic lives of residents. Cleveland State University, on behalf of the city, recently began holding sessions of the Financial Empowerment Focus Group to hear from residents. The focus group will meet in a dozen city neighborhoods/neighborhood clusters, including Hough. This photo shows a large brick sign, which reads" "Welcome to the historic Hough neighborhood, established 1799."

Clevelanders helping city design financial empowerment plan for residents

by Olivera Perkins July 12, 2024October 18, 2024