Our History and Mission
A Cultural Exchange is a nonprofit literacy-based multicultural arts organization for children. It was founded in 1991 by a group of African-American women determined to make a difference, led by Deborah McHamm, our first president and chief executive officer.
A Cultural Exchange fills a void through innovative educational programs that integrate award-winning multicultural literature with the visual and performing arts. In the belief that widening access to books and knowledge is a political act requiring the mobilization of an entire community, we embrace a mission to acquaint children of color with their heritage, enhance their self-esteem and self-worth, and create opportunities and experiences which enrich the cultural development of ALL children, their families and the community through literature, the arts and cultural exchange.
Our Valued Partners
A Cultural Exchange has had the privilege of collaborating with hundreds of Literacy Champions. Our partners include:
The Anderson DuBose Company AT&T Inc. Case Western Reserve University Catholic Charities Health and Human Services Catholic Diocese of Cleveland The Center for Community Solutions Center for Families and Children Charter One City of Cleveland The Cleveland Browns Foundation Cleveland Cavaliers Cleveland Clinic The Cleveland Foundation (Neighborhood Connections) Cleveland Metropolitan School District Cleveland Museum of Natural History The Cleveland Orchestra Cleveland Public Library Cleveland State University The Coca-Cola Company | Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland Cuyahoga Arts and Culture Cuyahoga Community College Cuyahoga County Deloitte Dix & Eaton East Cleveland City Schools Eaton Corporation Ernst & Young FirstEnergy Corporation The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Hawken School Helen Brown Foundation Help Me Grow of Cuyahoga County Invest in Children Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores John Carroll University Kent State University KeyBank The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation | Leadership Cleveland The Lincoln Electric Company Medical Mutual of Ohio The MetroHealth System Murtis H. Taylor Multi-Service Center National City Corporation Ohio Department of Education Ohio Department of Job and Family Services PepsiAmericas, Inc. The Plain Dealer Playhouse Square Radio One, Inc. RPM International Inc. STERIS Corporation Target Corporation TRW Foundation U.S. Department of Education WVIZ/PBS Ideastream |