Donté Gibbs (CWR ’10, SAS ’12) has made it his mission to make his environment better. Whether he’s spreading holiday cheer across Cleveland, helping young men make impacts in the Northeast Ohio area or engaging with diverse audiences to preserve green spaces, he knows “there’s an importance in the idea you have and how hard you believe in it.”
Gibbs was honored at the November 2024 African American Alumni Association (AAAA) Awards Celebration with the Ella Mae Johnson Service Award for his commitment to community leadership and advocacy as the leader behind Donté’s Gift Express, the Boys to Men Health and Empowerment Summit and serving as the vice president of community partnerships at the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Every Christmas holiday season for 11 years, Gibbs and his team have delivered gifts to homes in and around East Cleveland through Donté’s Gift Express. The idea came to Gibbs when he and some friends started a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway and someone jokingly asked if they would also do Christmas hams” In December of 2013, Gibbs and his friends delivered gifts to 88 families. “And then this past year, we just did 1,800 families in one day,” Gibbs said. Going forward, he hopes the program can “do more things year-round to help support families in a way they’re not expecting.”
While working at Neighborhood Leadership Institute, a Cleveland community nonprofit, some of Gibbs’ colleagues were involved in a leadership development event for young girls in the area—inspiring him to co-launch the Boys to Men Health and Empowerment Summit with the organization All About Your Health. Gibbs saw it as a way to mentor young men who look like them and are able to see varied career paths.
The first event was held in 2013 and hosted a variety of workshops on conflict resolution, sexual health, college preparation, employment topics and more.
In his role at the Conservatory for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Gibbs aims to use organizational relationships to make more people feel welcomed in park spaces. “We’re moving those interactions to not just be transactional, but really transformational,” Gibbs said. He facilitates lecture series, art events and cultivates relationships with Black-led and Black-serving businesses with the goal of telling the “stories that help welcome in the cultural relevance” of the area, including the Cuyahoga Valley’s past as a Green Book listing and an area for Black families to engage in recreational activities.
Gibbs points to events like the summer concert series—Rhythm on the River—that allows people to come and enjoy music, food trucks and spend time with park rangers. “It kind of breaks down that barrier of fear of folks in uniform,” he said.
Gibbs' passion for building community began as a Case Western Reserve student when he received mentorship from AAAA members helping develop his sense of responsibility to serve others. “Throughout my career, throughout life, I’ve always looked back and thought about what are some of the things that I wish I had at that age or at that time that could have helped me get through something a little better.”