The Cleveland Cavaliers took another step in their commitment to make a positive impact on Cleveland’s youth by opening the Cavaliers Reading and Learning Center at the Kenneth Clement Boys Leadership Academy. Cavaliers Head Coach Mike Brown and wife Carolyn were joined by Dr. Eugene Sanders, CEO of Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Damon Loretz, the principal of Kenneth Clement Boys Leadership Academy, to celebrate the grand opening of the Cavaliers All-Star Library. Cavaliers players on hand to give an assist were Daniel Gibson, Anderson Varejao, Devin Brown and Dwayne Jones.

On Tuesday, February 12th, the new Cavaliers All-Star Library was officially opened with a special ribbon cutting ceremony for the school’s 130 students. The ribbon cutting ceremony was followed by a Reading Time-Out led by Coach Brown and Cavs players.

“It’s definitely great to come out here and interact with some of the kids and just get to see the looks on their faces,” said that day’s gentle giant, Dwayne Jones. “You can see how huge this is for them.”

Decorated in Cavaliers colors wine, gold and navy, the library features murals of historical figures, Cavalier photos, and the team’s Read To Achieve logo embedded into custom blinds. It is furnished with brand new study tables, chairs, books and bookshelves and a computerized Smart Board. The library received a grant by the Cleveland Foundation and donations to furnish and equip the center were made by Wayside Furniture and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Carolyn Brown has been closely involved with the Cleveland Public Schools in working to create positive learning environments for the youth in our community.

“Mrs. Brown was looking for a school that had an innovative program,” said Dr. Sanders. “She looked throughout the District and choose this one, and I’m very proud that she did. She has been a blessing to us, as a school district and as a community."

“To see kids who may not have had a library that they could have used – their books were outdated and things like that – for them to come in to a library that’s new, it’s fantastic,” beamed Mrs. Brown. “I’ve never been a person who does things for the image of it. I don’t believe in that. If I’m involved in a project, I’m involved 100 percent.”

The Brown family along with the Cavaliers and their corporate partners donated the paint, custom graphics, multi-cultural books, a Smart Board and accessories for the Cavs-themed library. Special thanks to Sherwin-Williams and Wayside Furniture for their supporting partnerships.

The Cavaliers Reading and Learning Center is the eighth center in Northeast Ohio to be funded and constructed by the team since the program started in 2003 under the auspices of the Cavaliers Read to Achieve program. The development of Reading and Learning Centers allows qualified non-profit organizations with the opportunity to improve the condition of its current facility as well as to improve the quality of its literacy and educational programming.

“Carolyn Brown is a force to be reckoned with – without a doubt,” praised Dr. Sanders. “She brings a passion and she brought a contribution that’s really unprecedented. I can’t thank her and Coach Brown enough for all their support.”

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