Lifetime Achievers

Linda Bradley, MD is an internationally recognized gynecologic surgeon known for her expertise in diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy, endometrial ablation, alternatives to hysterectomy, hysteroscopic sterilization and the evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding. She is a gynecologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio and is Vice Chair of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health Institute as well as the Director of The Fibroid and Menstrual Disorders Center and Director of Hysteroscopic Services. She was elected to the Board of Governors at the Cleveland Clinic, 2006–2010. Dr. Bradley specializes in the evaluation, diagnostic testing, and surgery for uterine fibroids and menstrual disorders.

She has been very active in endoscopy for over 20 years. Her expertise in endometrial ablation technology makes her an innovative leader in the field of hysterectomy alternatives.

She recently was involved in several multi-center clinical trials involving endometrial ablation, uterine fibroid embolization compared to abdominal myomectomy, and hysteroscopic sterilization procedure. She performed one of the first hysteroscopic sterilization procedures in this country in 2000. With over 1000 referrals for uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), she maintains an excellent collaborative practice with the interventional radiology department for a UFE Fibroid Registry database. She has published extensively and presented internationally on this topic. While being a gynecologist at the Cleveland Clinic for over 20 years, she has performed over 12,000 office flexible hysteroscopic procedures and over 2,000 operative hysteroscopic procedures also including myomectomy, polypectomy, and endometrial ablation.

She has served on the Board of Trustees for the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopy (1997-1999) and currently serves as an Editorial Advisory Board member for the Journal of American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists. She was Chair of the OB/GYN section of the National Medical Association, 2006–2008. Recently, she was elected as Secretary-Treasurer 2009–2010 for the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists and was President of the AAGL in 2011.

Dr. Bradley has been an invited lecturer at more than 1000 local, national and international symposia conferences and meetings as an honored guest speaker. Additionally, she has performed live telesurgery for many programs. Published numerous journal articles, book chapters, and continuing medical education films. Most recently, she is a co-author of an authoritative textbook: Hysteroscopy: Office Evaluation and Management of the Uterine Cavity, published by Elsevier, 2009. She has been named as the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Bruce Hubbard Stewart Fellow; which honors physicians with compassion and clinical care. Later, Dr. Bradley received the APGO award, which honors physicians for resident and fellow teaching and has frequently been nominated as “Faculty of the Year”. She is admired and respected for her clinical teaching, surgical expertise, and compassionate bedside manner. She has received “Top Doctors of America” award annually since 2002. In 2009, she was selected by Ladies Home Journal as one of the top 6 female physicians in the USA.

Dr. Linda Bradley is a proud member of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology department at the Cleveland Clinic; ranking 4th in the country by US News and World Report 2011, and number one in Ohio. Dr. Bradley earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biopsychology from Vassar College before attending the University Of Cincinnati College Of Medicine for her MD. She completed her residency training at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. And she has completed an executive program in practice management from the Weatherhead School of Business, Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

Mr. Lewis was one of the first African Americans in the City to break through the banking industry’s “Ivory Tower” to become a Senior Vice President, head of the Private Banking Department and Chairman of a major financial organization’s contributions committee. Likewise, through his extensive volunteerism, he has served on numerous boards where he was the first and only African American to serve. He has made it a personal goal to assist these organizations in diversifying their boards & staff. He distinguished himself through his career by unselfishly serving as the Community Reinvestment Act Officer at Bank One in Cleveland and held the bank’s Community Development position as a Senior Vice President. Bracy provided collaborative efforts in lending and equity financing for historic rehabilitation, community, and economic development, and revitalization in the Greater Cleveland Area for the betterment of the community. He has always been much more than a banker, by serving on boards and volunteering to “give back” to the community, usually without compensation. During his tenure at Bank One, Mr. Lewis was named to the Glenville High School and Glenville Legends and Legacy Halls of Fame honoring citizens of accomplishment in the community who have provided an excellent example for those to follow.

He was given the “Ohio Humanitarian Award for Leadership” in 1993, which was bestowed upon him by then Governor George Voinovich. Mr. Lewis received the “Community Development Award” from Amistad Development Corporation. Also one of the ten finalists in 1994 for the “Points of Life Award” which was President William Clinton’s Volunteer Action Award for remarkable individuals who have given themselves to an exemplary level and made a difference in their community. Formerly, Mr. Lewis served simultaneously as President of the Cleveland Restoration Society and Chairman of the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners and served as President of Karamu House Theatre. Mr. Lewis actively participated in Lutheran Housing Corporation, Living in Cleveland Center, Huron Hospital, Greater Cleveland Growth Association’s Government Affairs Committee, Consumer Credit Counseling Service, Health Care for the Homeless (aka Care Alliance), Senior Outreach Center, Fenn College Foundation (aka Cleveland State University), AAA Ohio Motorists Association, Cleveland Music School Settlement, Trinity Cathedral Music and Performing Arts Committee, The Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences Visitors Committee and Chairman of the Regional Board of Northeast Ohio Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC).

Upon his retirement in 1996, then-Mayor Michael R. White presented the “The Key to the City of Cleveland” and named a city park in Mr. Bracy Lewis’s honor in recognition of his service to the community through his role as banker and his service on numerous boards. This was a first in the city. JP Morgan Chase Bank (aka Bank One) retained him as a consultant in the capacity of Director of Governmental Affairs for over ten years due to his reputation and skill sets. Mr. Lewis still remains involved in the banking community and is on the Regional Board at Huntington National Bank. Bracy was chosen by Mayor Michael R. White to serve as Chairman of the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners in early 1998. Mr. Lewis also volunteers at the national level for The National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington DC and was given an award for his indisputable leadership abilities. Mr. Lewis even donated his time to tutor children in the Cleveland Public School System in music appreciation, math, and reading. Currently, he volunteers for Golden Age Centers and the City Club of the Cleveland Foundation.

Dr. Julian M. Earls is the retired Director of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field in Cleveland, Ohio where he served from October 2003 until December 2005. Previously, he served as Glenn’s Deputy Director. As Director, Dr. Earls was responsible for planning, organizing and directing the activities required to accomplish the missions assigned to the Center.

Dr. Earls joined the Monte Ahuja College of Business as Executive in Residence in 2006. Dr. Earls earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from Norfolk State University, his master’s degree in radiation biology from the University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, and his doctorate degree in radiation physics from the University of Michigan.

He is also a graduate of the Harvard Business School Program for Management Development. Since the beginning of his career with NASA in 1965 at the Lewis Research Center, renamed to the Glenn Research Center in 1999, Dr. Earls has written 28 publications for technical and educational journals. He wrote the first health physics guides used at NASA. He has been a Distinguished Honors Visiting Professor at numerous universities throughout the Nation. On two occasions, he has been awarded NASA medals for exceptional achievement and outstanding leadership and has received the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive.

Jean Murrell Capers is a practicing attorney and a retired Cleveland Municipal Court Judge. In 1949, she became the first African-American councilwoman for Cleveland. Throughout her years she worked in Cleveland’s prosecutor’s office, served as an assistant state attorney general, and in 1977, Capers was appointed a Cleveland Municipal Court judge and won the election to a full term. Judge Capers grew up knowing the importance of education. Both her parents graduated college from State Normal School for Colored Persons in Kentucky and became teachers. Jean Murrell Capers used the opportunity and graduated from Western Reserve University, in 1932 with a degree in education. She taught for five years, first at an elementary school and then as the health and physical education teacher at a local high school.

Jean Murrell Capers felt she could help her community more with the law so she earned her degree from Cleveland Law School in 1945. Jean Murrell Capers was one of the original members of the Women’s Advisory Council of the Women’s Division at the former Ohio Bureau of Employment Services. Jean Murrell Capers was one of the original members of the Women’s Advisory Council of the Women’s Division at the former Ohio Bureau of Employment Services, now known as the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

William Francis Boyd was born on February 7, 1915, on East 38th Street and Central Avenue in Cleveland, OH. He moved with his parents, Elmer F. and Cora S. Boyd and sister Lucille in 1917 and lived above his father’s funeral home on East 43rd Street and Central Avenue. The family later moved in 1925 to East 81st Street and Cedar Avenue. William F. Boyd attended Quincy Elementary School and Patrick Henry Junior High School. During the Depression, Elmer Boyd moved his family again to an upscale, predominantly Jewish neighborhood at 10704 Drexel Avenue off East 105th Street in the Glenville area. William Francis Boyd finished Glenville High School in 1933. Under the influence of two cousins, he completed post-graduate courses for one year at Central High School. At Central High School, the student enrollment was predominantly African-American. William Francis Boyd was elected President of his class and loved and cherished the friendships that were made at Central. The Boyd family faithfully attended St. John AME Church on East 40th Street for many years. The Great Depression compromised the financial stability of the home and Elmer Boyd was forced to move his family residence back to East 81st Street in 1932. William’s desire was to help his father run the business and provide for the family. There was no money for him to pursue a college degree, so he volunteered to attend Cleveland College of Embalming and graduated in 1938. Seeing a need to expand his services, Elmer F. Boyd purchased the Slaughter Funeral Home at 2165 E. 89th Street in 1938 and the ‘& Son’ was added to the firm name.

On August 19, 1939, William F. Boyd married Mary E. Webster, daughter of Dr. Franklyn DeDelk and Ina Guy Webster at Lane Metropolitan CME Church. In the early 1930’s, he joined Antioch Baptist Church alongside his mother, Cora Stewart Boyd. He served there as a Trustee. Elmer F. Boyd passed away in February of 1944 and William ran the business with his mother until her demise in 1960. William and Mary raised three children: William F. “Pepper” Boyd, II, Marina Elisabeth and Marcella Millicent. The first Cleveland NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner was chaired by William F. Boyd in 1959. In August of 1963, he was appointed by the committee to fill the vacancy of Rev. Cole’s position on the Cleveland School Board. By November of 1963, he successfully ran for the Cleveland School Board and later became Vice President. He served on the Board until 1970. He was responsible for the school district erecting yellow flashing lights around all public schools. While serving on the Board, he used his influence to get positions for many school teachers and other personnel. William F., affectionately known as “Bill”, was a tireless community servant for many years. Many times he performed funerals and received no compensation.

He was one of the last members of a rare class of gentlemen who believed that if you do as God asks with honesty and integrity, you will be rewarded. Committed to the African American community, he served on the Eliza Bryant Skilled Nursing Facility Board for over 24 years, received the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts, the Lifetime Achievement Award from BPACF, and was a member of the Central Area Council, the Urban League and the Prince Hall Excelsior Masonic Lodge. Because of his belief that a strong family unit was the essence of life, the Urban League recognized the Boyd Family as the “Family of the Year” in the ‘70s. He never influenced his children to join him, but his example inspired all three of the Boyd children to become a part of the family dynasty including William F. “Pepper” Boyd, II (LaVerne), Marina Boyd Grant and Marcella Boyd Cox, and grandchildren, Victoria Boyd and Lisa Taylor. William and Mary were proud grandparents of 10 and great-grandparents of 18. William F. Boyd, Sr. celebrated his 75th Anniversary of service to the public in November 2008.

Since January 1979, Mr. Brown has been serving as a commissioner of Cuyahoga County, Ohio. He has been serving as president of the board of commissioners since November 1980. He was director of Cuyahoga County Board of Elections in 1972-1979. Prior to that, he was a city councilman, Ward 25, in 1967-72. Mr. Brown is married with two children that reside in Cleveland, Ohio. He was born August 12, 1917. His political career started in 1966 with an unsuccessful bid for a state representative position. However, in 1967 he won a seat on the Cleveland City Council, where he served for three terms.

In 1972, when there was a breakdown in the countywide election system and the position of director of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections was now available, Mr. Brown resigned his city council seat to accept an appointment as director of the Board of Elections. He served nearly 7 years in this position and during his tenure, he restored the integrity and efficiency of the election process. When George Voinovich left the position of Cuyahoga County commissioner to serve as Lieutenant Governor of Ohio in 1979, Mr. Brown was appointed as the replacement. He was reelected and served three additional terms. While in his last term as commissioner, I was serving as Governor, and I asked Virgil if he would serve as the director of the Ohio State Lottery.

Mr. Brown graciously accepted, even though he was planning to retire. I appointed him in 1991, and he remained as director until 1995, when he officially retired at the age of 74.

Dr. Daisy Alford-Smith was deputy director of the Ohio Department of Human Services, Director of the Cleveland Department of Public Health, and assistant professor and Director of Case Western Reserve University’s Center for Urban & Minority Health. From 1998 until 2004, Dr. Alford-Smith was director of the Summit County Department of Job & Family Services. Before becoming CEO of the Ohio Girl Scouts, she was CEO of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools and the International Commission on Health Care Professions in Philadelphia.

Mr. Booker T. Tall. (Dec 12. 1928 – Feb 13. 1994) had a varied career as a teacher, businessman, and politician, but he is best remembered for a lifetime of work to enhance and honor the positive achievements of African Americans. Born to sharecroppers Booker T. (Sr.) and Julia MacFulton Tall in Hooker Bend, TN, Tall learned early the virtue of industry and thrift. When his family relocated to Akron, OH, in 1943, he held a variety of jobs as a dishwasher, a short-order cook, a manager of a car wash, and a janitor at the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. to support his family while completing his high school education. Tall worked full-time while attending the University of Akron, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in political science in 1952 and found time to organize a junior branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) on campus. In 1953, Tall attended Oxford University in Great Britain as a Fulbright scholar. He earned his master’s degree at Western Reserve University in 1956 and pursued additional graduate work at Harvard University. Tall moved to Cleveland in 1952 and began a teaching career in the Cleveland public schools. In 1968, he joined the faculty of Cuyahoga Community College and established the first black studies program at a community college in the state of Ohio.

After an unsuccessful attempt to buy a McDonald’s restaurant franchise in 1969, Tall joined Operation Black Unity and promoted a boycott of restaurants that excluded blacks from ownership. His efforts helped open the door for African American ownership of fast-food franchises across the nation. During the 1970s, he was pivotal in the founding of the Cleveland chapter of the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History and organized the African American Archives Auxiliary at the Western Reserve Historical Society. During the 1980s, Tall worked at City Hall, where he developed programs to promote minority- and female-owned businesses, and was especially effective in helping minorities obtain franchise businesses in the Tower City complex. He also worked briefly as the director of the local office of U.S. Representative Louis Stokes. During the Mayoral Administration of George V. Voinovich, Tall served as the Director of the City Minority Enterprise Center and Cleveland’s Equal Employment Opportunity Office. Tall married Carolyn Smith on 25 August 1956. They raised five sons: Reginald, Bruce, Victor, Christopher, and Michael. Tall died in Cleveland and is now buried in Highland Park Cemetery.