Date: Wednesday, April 12

Time: 5:00 P.M. - 6:45 P.M.

Place: Myers University, Chester Campus

3921 Chester Avenue, Cleveland, OH

Map Link

African American Museums across the country struggle to remain competitive for resources. Most of the museums have similar missions and broadening scopes. Read about the Greensboro International Civil Rights Center and Museum here, a typical story today.

Organizations strive to be relevant to local economic and social growth. Our opportunity is to preserve history as well as strengthen social networks in the African American community. Regions that undertake these goals build innovation and accelerate entrepreneurship. This week we will begin by leveraging new open source economic development practices and tools.

Join us for an open space session to explore new and different ways to strengthen cultural museums and historical organizations in Northeast Ohio. Together we will envision new models and discover what a Northeast Ohio African American Cultural Center could provide to regional prosperity.

Stay informed about new opportunities in the Midtown Innovation Zone. Read the Midtown Wednesdays Blog.

Leaders: Eugene Cranford, Community leaders

In Transforming our Regional Economy: Action Plan 2006 led by the Cuyahoga County Board of Commissioners, innovation zones are one of five transformative initiatives designed to create focus and bring to scale grass roots initiatives to transform Northeast Ohio. Link:

Join us and discover your opportunities as we build innovation zones around our colleges, universities and libraries in Brainpower, Dialogue and Inclusion, Innovation Networks, Marketing and Branding and Quality, Connected Places.

We're building the network! Join us for Midtown Mornings, a fresh new networking breakfast hosted by Nead Brand Partners. More here.

Date: Friday, April 14

Time: 7:30-8:30 A.M.

Place: Nead Brand Partners

3635 Perkins Avenue, Suite 6a

Map Link.

Coming Up: Midtown Wednesdays, April 19: E-City: Building New Models for Education

Time: 5:00 P.M. - 6:45 P.M.

Place: Myers University, Chester Campus

Cleveland, OH 4411

Map Link.

Questions? Contact:

betseymerkel [at] i-open [dot] org"> Betsey Merkel, Network Development

The Institute for Open Economic Networks (I-Open)

Cleveland MidTown Innovation Center

4415 Euclid Ave., Suite 310

Cleveland, OH 44103 USA

Tel. 216-246-2447