Most Interesting People 2011
- Doug Bahniuk
- Cindy Barber
- Scott Bickel
- Johnine Byrne
- Angelica Campos
- Brandon Chrostowski
- Norris Cole
- The Rev. Jawanza Karriem Colvin
- Brittany Dell'aglio-Mitchell
- Marshall Emerson III
- Roe Green
- Peyton Hillis
- Chris Hodgson
- Cashmere Jackson
- Kasumi
- Erika Lauren
- Dr. James Levine
- Ramon Lugo III
- Valerie Mayen
- Michael McIntyre
- Dr. Steve Nissen
- Grafton Nunes
- Jim Sheeler
- Bella Sin
- Charles E. Smith
- Tricia Springstubb
- Dusty Street
- Maya Thomas-Bey
- Julie Zeilinger
- Matt Zone
Roe Green
Philanthropist | 62
Why she's interesting ... Green has passionately supported causes ranging from the Cleveland Play House to Dance Cleveland to shelters for battered women. Her latest project is the recently opened $13 million Roe Green Center for the School of Theatre and Dance at Kent State University.
Celebrating art ... Green believes that "art is what makes us human. Art gives us our humanity — if people can't create any longer, we're in trouble."
On her alma mater ... "I got my master's at Kent. This building was a way to pay them back. I love being with the students. It keeps me young."
City guide ... "I think Cleveland is a terrific city. It has the finest art museums, the finest symphonies, amazing theater. It's not as in your face as New York. But if you wanted to be at the theater every night, you could. You'd be exhausted, but you could do it."
Ballroom blitz ... Before starting the Roe Green Foundation, she competed in ballroom dancing for more than 12 years. "It's a way to communicate between the sexes — without getting into trouble."
On practicality ... After graduating from the University of Colorado, Green attended the Katherine Gibbs secretarial school. "My father told me if you can type and take shorthand, you'll always be able to get a job."
Frequent flier ... Green has visited more than 145 countries. She's prayed with monks in Tibet and attended the reed dance ceremony in Zululand, during which thousands of unmarried African girls present themselves to the king. "I sort of have a bucket list of countries I want to visit. I keep putting new countries on it. I always want to have a list of places I want to go to."
Art's history ... "It's the universal language. We can understand primitive cultures today because we've studied their drawings on cave walls. Art is something that everyone can relate to."
