Impactful Change Is Born Within A Thriving Community

Everlasting Legacy.

We celebrate the life & vision of Bro. Khalid Samad for over 40 years of grassroots, boots on the ground activism on behalf of the underserved citizens of this community. His leadership continues to inspire us and energize us with his passion and commitment to peace, justice and empowerment. We are proud & honored to have worked with him and will continue to champion his legacy.

May He Rest In Power!

Programs

For A Purpose

  • The Out-Of-School time programming and summer camps are intentionally created to support our youth located in the inner-city. For over 25 years, our staff, board members, and volunteers have placed a large focus on African American youth ages 5-18.

  • We primarily service the Mt. Pleasant and surrounding neighborhoods, including the housing estates of Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority. Fortunately, our sphere of influence doesn’t stop there. 

  • Our intergenerational program provides us with the unique opportunity to deliver a high-quality curriculum to people of all ages. We provide adults with an array of skillful services that will help them forge their own professional paths. Parents are also highly encouraged to participate.

  • 99Treasures integrates this curriculum from a Rites of Passage perspective. This perspective is seen as the life lessons we experience from the cradle to the grave. We see ourselves as a supportive step along our participants’ growth journey through the many stages of life.

GET IN TOUCH

Project

Ujamaa

  • Mastery Level Art Classes

    Mastery Level Art is taught for the creation of one-of-kind Art4Peace products which include acrylic paintings, mixed media, and special craft items. Participants earn a certificate of completion once they fully master specific lessons within the program.

    The certificates enable them to sell their items on our website, 99treasures.org.

  • Cooperative Economics

    Cooperative Economics is a component that teaches youth to work together by sharing vital resources needed to earn a collective income. As a team, they can create sustainable, dignified jobs that generate wealth for an improved quality of life.

    Through this form of teaching, we can instill the positive promotion of community and local economic development.

  • Financial Literacy

    Financial Literacy includes our participants’ ability to create real-world budgets, credit, savings, and Individual Retirement Accounts as well as Certificates of Deposit. These are just a few of the many opportunities they are exposed to with this component.

  • Lesson Plan Art

    Lesson Plan Art involves the creation of “monthly themes, S.T.E.A.M. activities, and educational lessons” that revolve around the meticulously selected subject matter.

  • Job Readiness and Career Exploration

    Job Readiness and Career Exploration involves hands-on and group activities which allow participants to role-play mock interviews that are filmed for their benefit.

    These videos are then critiqued by the group and members of our staff to better prepare them to step into new jobs and career opportunities. They also take part in critical thinking exercises, intentional research, and job shadowing.

There Is Remarkable Value To Art With A Vision

Our vision is to be a socially active, responsible, and community-based organization that is committed to the optimal well-being of our neighborhoods. This is accomplished through our culturally specific, multifaceted, entrepreneurial, and economic development initiatives.

“If your mind can see it, and your heart can believe it, then your will can achieve it.”

GET IN TOUCH

‍ ‍A Culturally Driven Mission

Our mission is to continuously deliver arts and cultural awareness to youth and their families. Through the encouragement of artistic self-expression, training, education, entrepreneurship, and special programs, our sphere of influence continues to grow.

We wholeheartedly believe that as we continue to help gain exposure for underserved individuals, their access to life-changing opportunities will flourish.

Our
Team

  • RAJ SAMAD

    Executive Director

    Before she took up this role, she was formerly a High School Business Teacher. Raj Samad has held his position with the agency for 24 years. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Education while earning a Business and Art minor.

  • RENEE EVANS

    Art Therapist

    Renee Evans works with our youth to provide skillful art therapy activities that help them grow and develop into outstanding members of society. She obtained her Master’s degree in Social Work (special education) and earned the Art Therapist Certificate in 2022.

  • RUTH STANDIFORD

    Social Worker

    Ruth Standiford has held this position with the agency for 19 years as both a full and part-time member. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Tulane University.

    Prior to joining this organization, she was a nurse for 27 years. Ruth gained invaluable experience in all phases of trauma including first responder, emergency room, and trauma surgery nursing.

    During her many years as a nurse, she was a live-in-house parent for emotionally disturbed, adjudicated, and delinquent youth. Also, she was a social worker with the S.T.A.R.T. (Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Teams) Unit working with chemically addicted mothers and babies.

  • IMAM PAUL HASAN

    Chemical Dependency Counselor/Instructor

    Imam Paul Hasan is our Chemical Dependency Counselor. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Education and Social Work, CCDC.

  • MUNA JARIK

    Volunteer Program Assistant

    Muna Jarik has held this position with the agency for 18 years and obtained her associate’s degree in Education. She is a Somali Translator for Somali youth attending our programs and for the City of Cleveland as well.