Public art project in University Circle to celebrate historic meeting of Black leaders in Cleveland

A new public art project aimed at commemorating the 1967 Cleveland Summit where boxer Muhammad Ali and other Black leaders discussed Ali’s refusal to serve in the Vietnam War will be installed in University Circle at Euclid Ave. and E. 105th St. this summer. The Cleveland Summit was organized by football star Jim Brown and attended by 11 Black athletes and the young mayoral candidate Carl Stokes. The public artwork, entitled “I Am The Table,” is inspired by the press conference that was held after the meeting. 

“This public art piece sets the stage to celebrate and honor that special day in Cleveland, but also inspire guests to realize the power in their own voice as they take a seat at the table,” according to the presentation by artists Carl Ziek and Scott Larsen of Shred and Co. design to the March 3 Cleveland Planning Commission at which the project was approved. 

“I Am The Table” will feature a large table made from carbon steel that will be sculpted, shaped, and patinated to resemble a thick slab of slate like a table, according to the presentation. It will have 12 sculptural steel microphones representing the 12 individuals at the summit. Behind the table the artists will install a large vinyl banner featuring a black and white photo of the summit. 

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The project was developed in partnership with the Marcus Graham Project (MGP), “a national organization focused on developing the next generation of diverse leaders in the advertising, media, and marketing industries through training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to ensure the industry is inclusive,” according to a statement. The design and project team was comprised of Jason Garrett, James Adams, Lacy Talley and Kayla Shine, who participated in team workshops with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The summit was a momentous occasion that has been remembered in history. According to a 2012 article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, “Muhammad Ali, the most polarizing figure in the country, was inside being grilled by the likes of Bill Russell, Jim Brown, and Lew Alcindor, who would later change his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. They weren’t interested in whether Ali was going to take his talents to South Beach or any other sports labor issues. They wanted to know just how strong Ali stood behind his convictions as a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War. The questions flew fast and furious. Ali’s answers would determine whether Brown and the other athletes would throw their support behind the heavyweight champion, who would have his title stripped from him later in the month for his refusal to enter the military.” 

Ultimately, the men supported Ali in his decision, whose stance symbolized the growing rift between the American public and the leaders who supported the war. According to the Plain Dealer article, “Ali’s stance helped ignite the rising level of anti-war sentiment.”

The sculpture will be located at the southwest corner of E. 105th St. and Euclid Ave. on the American Cancer Society campus (10501 Euclid Ave.). This is where the meeting was held on June 4, 1967, though a different building is there now. At the time, the group met at the offices of what was called the Negro Industrial Economic Union, an African American empowerment organization founded by Jim Brown and later called the Black Economic Union. 

The public art project is being spearheaded by the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of community outreach stemming from the NBA All-Star game last year. Hansen Coseo, senior manager of procurement and project services with the Cavs, told the planning commission that the team will be responsible for footing the bill for and maintaining the public art, including replacing the banner if it fades or gets damaged in the future. “This was part of the NBA All Star’s goal to have a lasting impact on the community, this is something that was born out of that,” Coseo said at the meeting. 

The sculpture will have a walkway of stone pavers leading up to it, and will be lit up so it’s visible at night. “I’m sure it will be a popular selfie spot,” said planning commission member Marika Shioiri-Clark at the meeting. 

Last year, a historical marker was dedicated at the site of the Cleveland Summit. The artists and the Cavs expect to hold a ribbon cutting for the public artwork sometime in June. 

Note: This article has been corrected to reflect the role of the Marcus Graham project in designing the project.

You can watch the recording of the March 3 planning commission meeting here. To send questions, comments, and feedback to the Cleveland City Planning Commission, email cityplanning@clevelandohio.gov or call 216-664-2210.