2016 NBA Finals Game 7 Basketball
“The block that LeBron made in the run for the win, nobody could believe he got up that far on the backboard to make that play. That ball represents a championship that the city was so emotionally needing and wanting for so long. It gives us that pride. In 2017, we are finally a championship city.”
— Bill Wills, WTAM 1100 morning radio host
Night Market Red Lanterns
“Those red lanterns represent this boom in summertime outdoor festivities, specifically in AsiaTown with their Night Market. These markets really illuminate the fact that Cleveland has all kinds of different ethnic groups that are a big part of who we are as a city. It exposes a whole other side of Cleveland.” — Bac Nguyen, chef and co-owner of Ninja City and chef and owner of Bac Asian American Bistro & Bar
Tamir Rice Sticker
“The stickers are a reminder of injustice. It reminds us that there is a lot of work that we need to do around creating and nurturing a community where all young people have a chance to grow. We still have an issue when it comes to urban policing and understanding empathy. People were concerned that this issue would be the end of many of the positive strides that we had, but it should serve as a reminder that we need to get better.” — Terrell Pruitt, Ward 1 councilman
Platform Beer Co.’s New Cleveland Beer
“New Cleveland isn’t just the name of the beer — it is all of the exciting times that we are going through. Those two words symbolize where we are now versus where we were years ago. Collaboration, independent business owners, people sharing ideas, environmental movements, open-mindedness to other cultures and races, diversity and momentum are what come to mind when I think of New Cleveland.” — Paul Benner, co-owner of Platform Beer Co.
Cleveland Metroparks Centennial T-shirt
“Cleveland Metroparks have improved so much. It’s cleaner, it’s safer and there are more events that bring more people out to the park. I want people to remember how much the Metroparks have grown in recent years. Not many cities have parks like us, and we are lucky to have these great escapes.” — Kiwi Wongpeng, owner of Thai Thai restaurant
Cleveland Script Sign
“When those signs were put throughout the city, that was the turning point. They show Cleveland pride. People flock to them, and they take their visitors from other cities to these signs. It represents that people are once again proud to be a Clevelander, and they want to show others that Cleveland has something to offer.”
— Darrielle Snipes, reporter and producer at WVIZ PBS Ideastream
Police Badge
“The Cleveland Cavaliers championship, the RNC and especially that championship parade last year really launched us onto this national stage in an instant. I look at our police Chief Calvin Williams and Mayor Frank Jackson doing an extraordinary job, and I think it’s something that we will never want to forget. When we pull out this badge in many years, we should have a lot to smile about and a lot to feel good about.” — Stefani Schaefer, co-anchor at Fox 8