The legacy of Winston Willis and other successful Black business owners in Cleveland, are often untold stories of the past. The contributions to the Black community in Cleveland that Winston in particular made, highlight his conscious efforts to create a safe, fun, & entertaining business hub for his own community. Community members across the city recall how he demonstrated resilience and tenacity in his fight against institutions such as the City of Cleveland, UCI and Cleveland Clinic to protect his property from eminent domain claims. By all accounts, Winston prided himself on providing both Black owned business establishments and work opportunities to those in the Black community.
In April of 2024, the Social Justice Institute hosted Winston Willis's sister, Aundra Carrasco Willis, for an R & R lecture via zoom. The recording of the event can be found here. She recently had published a book entitled Winston Willis A Memoir, detailing the story of his life and the legacy he created. The room was packed with both students and community members who were interested in hearing about Winston's story and learning more about what can be done to get reparations for Mr. Willis. This conversation was the first of many that have led SJI to this project.
Professor Ayesha Bell Hardaway, Director of the Social Justice Institute, received a grant in 2024 from the Kelvin Smith Library's Freedman Fellows to create an oral history project surrounding Winston Willis and his legacy. Funding is being used to conduct an oral history project exploring the legacy of Winston Willis .
Did you visit the Jazz Temple, the Scrumpy Dump Cinema or other Winston Willis establishments? Do you know Mr. Willis? Do you have photographs of Cleveland's East Side?
The Social Justice Institute is currently recruiting community members who know or have known Mr. Winston Willis and/or frequented his establishments along Euclid to participate in an oral history project. SJI will be conducting short interviews as part of the project. For those who may be interested in participating, or would like more information about the project, please fill out the interest form attached here.
SJI is also looking for photographs of Euclid around East 105th Street up to Mayfield Road where the Jazz Temple once stood. If you have photographs that you would like to share, please contact us at socialjustice@case.edu or call 216-368-7568.
Updates about SJI's Winston Willis Project can be found here on our website.