After introducing half of the Signal community listening team last week, we speak with the remaining members about why they got involved in this work and what they are looking forward to in the upcoming months. 

Lila Parker: Working with students

Community listener, Lila Parker, at St. Vincent’s Halloween event.
Community listener, Lila Parker, at St. Vincent’s Halloween event. Credit: Najee Hall / Signal Cleveland

Najee: Good morning! If you could start by telling me your name and which neighborhood you are currently living in?

Lila: My name is Lila Parker and I am currently living in Euclid, Ohio.

Najee: You are a member of the Signal community listening team. What made you want to join the team?

Lila: I was a freelancer for so long. For me, joining the listening team gave me an opportunity to go into the community and learn about how people are coping with their current living conditions while also seeing how they are thriving. To be present and welcomed in the communities that we have reached so far has been really rewarding. The residents of Cleveland have so much potential. 

Najee: What are some of the memories that have stood out for you in your community listening?

Lila: I love children, so anything that we have been able to do with them has been a lot of fun. The Halloween event at St. Vincent [Charity Medical Center] and the Ward 5 Back to School festival stand out. Seeing the children so happy while being surrounded by their community really warmed my heart. 

Najee: What are some of the projects you are looking forward to? 

Lila: I’m going to be doing some work with the parents, students and teachers of CMSD. I have seen firsthand how the education system is failing in my work as a K-8 mentor and volunteer. You have eighth graders reading at a third-grade level. My plan is to find new ways to elevate the education experience by talking with parents, students and teachers. We have to create some accountability somewhere, especially between parents and students. 

Marvetta Rutherford: Shining a light

Community listener, Marvetta Rutherford, passing out information at the East Tech class reunion.
Community listener, Marvetta Rutherford, passing out information at the East Tech class reunion. Credit: Najee Hall / Signal Cleveland

Najee: Hello! Please tell us your name and which neighborhood you currently live in?

Marvetta: My name is Marvetta Rutherford. I currently live in the Union-Miles neighborhood, but I will be moving to the Hough Heights neighborhood this week!

Najee: Congrats on the move! Can you share with our audience why you became a member of the Signal community listening team?

Marvetta: I gained a tremendous satisfaction from being a Cleveland Documenter. It was only reasonable to want to have a place in what I feel is real news in this area. To be able to listen to people in this area who don’t often have a voice has been really thrilling for me.

Najee: Can you share a favorite moment from your work as a community listener?

Marvetta: I’ve had a lot of good experiences. One in particular that stands out is when we were doing the community survey work as a listening team. Those people who took our survey really moved my heart.

Najee: What projects are you looking forward to?

Marvetta: I’m looking forward to shining a light on the missing children in Cleveland. When we attended the Documenters skate party at Zelma George, I saw that wall filled with photos of missing children in the city. … That disturbed me. 

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with [missing teen] Keshaun Williams’ mother. To say that I am forever changed is an understatement. I really look forward to working with her to get her story and her message back in the public eye. That is very important to me. 

Thanks to a write up by Lila, I was able to report on a family in Central healing the community. Thanks to a tip from Marvetta, we were able to staff tables at two community events and survey residents about what type of stories they want from Signal Cleveland. 

Talk with our Signal Community Listening Team

If you would like Lila to attend a community event as a listener, e-mail her at [email protected]. If you would like Marvetta to attend a community event as a listener, e-mail her at [email protected].

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Community Reporter (he/him)
I work to gain the trust of Cleveland residents through direct community engagement and storytelling. My goal is to amplify and celebrate the residents and stakeholders who contribute to the success of city neighborhoods. I’m hoping to erase the negative stigma that has been cast on some neighborhoods throughout the years.