Cleveland Magazine's Most Interesting People 2024

Kara Maxine Bieber, 25, Fashion Brand CEO
This business owner and fashion designer has focused on female empowerment with her two brands, while balancing a busy personal life of travel with her husband, Cleveland Guardians player Shane Bieber. Read more >>

Rhonda K. Brown, 54, City Strategist
This artist returned to her hometown to become the city's first-ever senior strategist for the arts, culture and creative economy. She draws on her own history of working as an artist and for arts nonprofits, and also her family history, to support the arts in Cleveland. Read more >>

Jenice Contreras, 46, Nonprofit Leader
The executive director of the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Center for Economic Development has led the organization’s push for CentroVilla25, an ambitious market supporting local entrepreneurs in Cleveland’s Clark-Fulton neighborhood, to fruition. And it's all happening in her hometown. Read more >>

Matt Earley, 46, Gotta Groove Records co-founder
The co-founder of Gotta Groove Records started by cutting labels on indie record releases; now he's the president of the rapidly growing business. Read more >>

Angela Funovits, 36, Doctor and Performer
Magic tricks and dermatology are two skills of this Clevelander, who has appeared on a variety of magic and mentalism shows, while working as a full-time doctor. Read more >>

Constance Hill-Johnson, 64, Cleveland Foundation Chairperson
Along with running a successful franchise, this businesswoman has given back to her community by chairing various boards. She's the first Black woman to chair the board of directors for The Cleveland Foundation. Read more >>

Stefan Johnson, 34, Actor and Content Creator
With about 9 million social media followers, this content creator's voice has become well-known around the world. (And so have his local snack and restaurant reviews.) Read more >>

Molly Kearney, 33, Saturday Night Live Cast Member
Originally from North Olmsted, Molly Kearney honed their comedic craft on a Lake Erie island before hitting it big on Saturday Night Live as a featured player in the show's 48th season. Read more >>

Huck Kurinsky, 9, Athlete
He's not even 10, and this young BMX rider is already a champion in the sport. Now, he's got his eyes set on the Olympics. Read more >>

David McAllester, 40, BigPlay Founder
Better known as "BigPlay Dave," this sports talker and content creator has established his BigPlay company as a force in Cleveland, just nine years after getting his start in a garage with a microphone. Read more >>

Darvio Morrow, 37, Radio Personality
First Class Broadcasting aims to be a major media company in Cleveland, and it's been Darvio Morrow's project since he was 19 years old. Read more >>

Sia Nyorkor, 45, News Anchor
This Channel 19 anchor has spent much of the past decade discovering Cleveland, and using her position to bring attention to educate Ohioans on various issues. Read more >>

Ken Schneck, 46, Journalist and Professor
The founder of The Buckeye Flame fosters a new platform to LGBTQ Ohioans — and also teaches at Baldwin Wallace University. Read more >>

Aaron "OkPants" Sechrist, 44, Artist
Artist, graphic designer, bar-owner, comedian — you've probably come across OkPants' work at some point in Cleveland. Read more >>

Rich Paul, 42, Sports Agent
One of the most powerful sports agents alive today grew up in Cleveland's Glenville neighborhood before befriending LeBron James and finding massive success representing athletes. Read more >>

Mikey Silas, 40, Musician
The frontman of Apostle Jones brought the successful, shapeshifting band together after returning to Cleveland, following a lifetime of music and arts performance. Read more >>

Sam Skelton, 34, and Caleb Skelton, 31, Surfers
Cleveland winters don't scare off these two Lake Erie surfers, who regularly hit the water to catch a wave or two — any time of year. Read more >>

Ross Smith, 31, and “Gangster Granny,” 97, Comedians
A grandson and his grandmother have become social media sensations, through their comedic videos and adventures. Read more >>

Airica Steed, 46, MetroHealth CEO
MetroHealth's new CEO, a fourth-generation nurse, is also the hospital system's first woman and first Black person to lead the organization. Read more >>

Kiwi Wongpeng, 37, Chef
The chef and owner of Thai Thai in Lakewood has created a community hotspot, and recently leveled up her business with culinary and restaurant management degrees. Read more >>

Morgan Wright, 30, Radio and Podcast Personality
Reality TV is a big part of reality for this podcast and radio host, whether it's The Real Housewives or The Golden Bachelor. Read more >>

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