Awareness, Support and Community Focus of Public MLK Day Celebration

Cleveland, OH –The Greater Cleveland Aquarium and the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland, Inc. (UBF) invite the public to a community fund- and friend-raiser on Monday, January 20, 2020 from 10am – 4pm. Every guest who donates $1 or more to UBF on Martin Luther King Jr. Day will receive discounted same-day $10 admission to the Greater Cleveland Aquarium.

Since the first event in 2015, nearly 10,000 people have visited the Aquarium on MLK Day to support UBF, a grant-making organization empowering agencies focused on the challenges and opportunities facing African American seniors, children and families in Northeast Ohio. “Our resources are directed to area nonprofits providing basic needs, education and workforce development training,” explains UBF Executive Director Cecil J. Lipscomb, CNM. “For this region to thrive, we need to address issues of race, poverty and inclusion.”

“The United Black Fund is one of Aquarium’s longest running partnerships—the Aquarium turns eight in 2020 and this is our sixth year for the United Black Fund collaboration,” says Aquarium General Manager and Splash Fund Director Stephanie White. “We truly appreciate the opportunity to support an organization focused on strengthening our community.” The Aquarium teams up with other mission-driven organizations including Autism Speaks, Drink Local. Drink Tap., the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland and SPOTD throughout the year.

In addition to regularly scheduled Sharks & Scuba talks and animal encounters, the Aquarium will highlight African Americans influential in the fields of marine science and scuba diving. “From Carl Brashear, the first African American to become a US Navy Master Diver, to Roger Arliner Young, the first African American female to earn her doctorate in zoology, we hope younger guests are inspired by these leaders in their field,” says White. Profiles posted throughout the galleries offer clues for an MLK Day “Search for Greatness” Scavenger Hunt and the chance to win an annual family pass.

UBF volunteers will be stationed in the Aquarium lobby on MLK Day to take donations and provide discounted admission vouchers. Both adults and children receive the general admission rate of $10 when donating at least $1 each. No pre-sales are available and the discount is valid January 20, 2020 only.

For additional information, contact the Aquarium at 216.862.8803 or greaterclevelandaquarium.com. To learn more about UBF, visit unitedblackfund.org.

*For each donation of $1 or more, a guest receives one (1) voucher for discounted same-day admission. The $10 ticket price applies to general admission for adults or children. Children younger than age 2 are free. No pre-sale available. Discount is valid January 20, 2020 only. Voucher cannot be re-sold and is not valid with any other discount.

UNITED BLACK FUND OF GREATER CLEVELAND increases access to funding and strengthens the capacity of organizations and agencies that serve ​African American and impoverished communities by leveraging resources and partnerships to positively impact the economically disadvantaged, underserved and disenfranchised.

GREATER CLEVELAND AQUARIUM energizes curiosity about aquatic life and the environment to inspire positive action.

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