Cleveland Public Library honored for commitment to LGBTQ+ people and their families

PFLAG Cleveland is proud to announce Cleveland Public Library (CPL) as the recipient of its 2025 Bruce G. Kriete Community Award, an annual honor bestowed upon individuals or organizations in Northeast Ohio that demonstrate exceptional commitment to fostering understanding, acceptance, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ people and their families.

The award was presented during a ceremony led by Sharon Groh-Wargo, PhD, Vice President of PFLAG Cleveland, who welcomed members of Cleveland Public Library Board of Trustees, Executive Leadership Team, key managers, the Rainbow Readers Employee Resource Group, and members of the PFLAG Cleveland Advisory Board.

A Partnership Rooted in Impact

The partnership between PFLAG Cleveland and CPL began in 2023 following a generous two-year grant awarded to PFLAG Cleveland by The George Gund Foundation. One of the major initiatives funded by the grant was the distribution of affirming LGBTQ+ books and PFLAG resource pamphlets to area libraries. Through a connection facilitated by Letitia Lopez, Executive Director of the Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center and former PFLAG Advisory Board member, PFLAG Cleveland met with CPL’s Steve Capuozzo and colleagues to explore providing materials to branches across the system. Cleveland Public Library was selected four PFLAG informational pamphlets in English and Spanish—Our Trans Loved Ones, Our Children, Be Yourself, and Guide to Being a Straight Ally—for display at every branch as well as within the Social Sciences and International Languages Departments. Each branch also received two copies of the book, The Mother of a Movement: Jeanne Manford—Ally, Activist, and Founder, written by Rob Sanders. In August 2025, CPL’s Knowledge Department estimated that between 34,000 and 50,500 unique individuals per month viewed the LGBTQ+ resource displays across the system—an extraordinary reach that highlights the significance of the collaboration.

Recognizing the Champions Behind the Work

PFLAG Cleveland honored Cleveland Public Library not only as an institution, but also recognized the individuals whose leadership, innovation, and advocacy made the partnership possible:

•  Felton Thomas, Jr., Executive Director and CEO
• The 55 members of the Rainbow Readers Employee Resource Group
• Steve Capuozzo, Subject Department Manager and former ERG Chair
• María F. Estrella, Manager of Employee Experience and Culture
• Josephine Manco, Marketing and Strategy Coordinator
• Ana Vargas, Impact and Belonging Coordinator
• John Skrtic, Chief of Special Projects and Collections and Executive Sponsor of the Rainbow Readers ERG
• Ashley D. Boyd, Senior Director of Impact and Belonging
• Erica Marks, Senior Director of Outreach and Programming Services
• Branch Public Services Managers and the International Languages Department Manager

In her remarks, Dr. Groh-Wargo affirmed that CPL was enthusiastically nominated by, and the unanimous choice of, the PFLAG Advisory Board. She stressed that the PFLAG + CPL partnership is especially important at this time. The information provided by PFLAG and distributed by the Library will act as a shield for the fear and isolation being

experienced by the LGBTQ+ and allied community. Executive Director and CEO Felton Thomas, Jr. graciously accepted the award on behalf of the Library.

Honoring the Legacy of Bruce G. Kriete

Established in 2007, the Bruce G. Kriete Community Award honors the memory of PFLAG Cleveland board member Bruce Kriete, whose kindness, advocacy, and welcoming spirit left a lasting impact. Previous honorees include U.S. Senator Rob Portman, Brecksville Broadview Heights Pride, Baldwin Wallace University, Phyllis Harris of the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland, and Ken Schneck of The Buckeye Flame.

About PFLAG Cleveland

Founded in 1985 by Jane Daroff, LISW, and Dr. Jes Sellers PhD, PFLAG Cleveland provides monthly support meetings, educational programming, advocacy, scholarships, and community partnerships. Nationally, PFLAG—founded in 1973 by Jeanne Manford—remains the largest organization for LGBTQ+ people, their families, and allies, representing a network of over 400 chapters and more than 200,000 members. To learn more about PFLAG Cleveland, visit http://www.pflagcleveland.org/.