Cleveland Public Library Welcomes Teleangé Thomas as Newest Member of Board of Trustees

Cleveland Public Library is pleased to announce the appointment of Teleangé Thomas to the Library Board of Trustees. She was chosen by the Board of Education for the Cleveland Municipal School District (CMSD) who governs Cleveland Public Library’s Board of Trustees.

“We’re excited to have Ms. Thomas join the Library’s board of trustees. Her experience and commitment to our community will help us further our mission to create a center of learning that inspires people to learn, seek, and share new knowledge in creative ways at Cleveland Public Library,” said Maritza Rodriguez, President of the Cleveland Public Library Board of Trustees.

Thomas replaces Alesha Washington who resigned on February 20, 2020 after accepting a position with the George Gund Foundation. “Alesha was a strong advocate for equity in Library operations. The Board will miss Alesha’s tenacity, dedication, and enthusiasm,” remarks Rodriguez. The Board of Education of the Cleveland Municipal School District appointed Thomas to serve the remainder of Washington’s term set to end July 2, 2021. Thomas will assume her new role at the September 17th board meeting.

A member of the Cleveland Public Library Foundation Board since October 2016, Thomas is a familiar presence at the Library. “Teleangé knows what it takes to create a strong and thriving community. From educational resources to social services, her wealth of knowledge will help us meet the needs of our diverse city today and for years to come,” said Felton Thomas Jr., Executive Director and CEO of Cleveland Public Library.

Thomas is currently the Director of Partnerships, Midwest for Candid (formerly Foundation Center). Her work in public health spans nearly 20 years and includes leadership positions at Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland, Cleveland Department of Public Health and University Hospitals of Cleveland. Her community involvement is vast. Thomas serves on the boards of the Community Health Charities, Policy Matters Ohio, The Soul of Philanthropy Cleveland, Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Green City Growers.

Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Case Western Reserve University.

“I am ecstatic to join the Cleveland Public Library Board of Trustees. The Library is a special place for me and the millions of people who visit every year,” said Teleangé Thomas, incoming member of the Cleveland Public Library Board of Trustees. “I look forward to engaging our patrons and working alongside our Library leadership to build upon the institution’s legacy.”

In addition to Thomas’ appointment, Thomas Corrigan will retain his position on the Library Board. The CMSD Board reappointed Corrigan to a sixth term. Corrigan and Thomas will take their oaths of office at the Library Board Meeting on Thursday, September 17 at noon.

Cleveland Public Library was established as a school district library under Ohio law. This law allows the CMSD Board of Education to appoint the Board of Trustees for the Library.

Learn about the Cleveland Public Library Board of Trustees and the Cleveland Public Library Foundation.