Cleveland is a city of culture, resilience, and opportunity. At Engage! Cleveland, we’re passionate about amplifying what makes our city special—from its vibrant neighborhoods to its thriving professional community. We know that when we celebrate Cleveland, we build a reputation that draws in and keeps the next generation of changemakers. That’s why we’ve been highlighting local influencers who actively champion Cleveland—people using their platforms, passions, and voices to reshape the narrative and showcase all that makes this city exceptional. Each month, we shine a spotlight on an individual who inspires us, and this month’s feature is Clevelander Charlea Skillern

Whether she’s connecting Clevelanders to the city’s vibrant music scene, spotlighting local businesses and events, or investing in the next generation through youth fitness initiatives, Charlea Skillern is passionate about building community. Through her social media platforms and nonprofit work, she helps her followers discover the people, places, and stories that make Cleveland unique. For Charlea, celebrating Cleveland isn’t just about where you live; it’s about showing up, making connections, and bringing your neighbors along with you. 

One of the things that makes Cleveland special to Charlea is the diverse music scene. “The part of Cleveland’s culture I connect with most is its Black music and gospel history,” says Charlea, also stating that her grandfather, Bishop Charles Watkins, played a key role in developing her love for music. “His leadership in Cleveland’s gospel community, including his connection to Savoy Records, helped shape the musical and spiritual roots I inherited. Because of him, I do not view music as entertainment alone. Music carries memory, ministry, community, and movement. His legacy shapes how I see Cleveland today and why I care so deeply about preserving the stories behind our artists, churches, stages, and gathering spaces. When I share Cleveland’s Black music scene, I am continuing a family tradition of helping people know where the music, community, and meaningful work live.”  

Cleveland’s music scene is vast, and there truly is something for everyone. However, Charlea believes it’s up to Clevelanders to keep that scene thriving. “Please support Cleveland’s live music scene. Buy tickets, attend local shows, learn the names of the musicians and bands, stay for the full set, purchase their music, and tell someone else where you heard them. Our music culture survives when people fill the rooms while the artists are performing, not after seeing the recap.” 

On Charlea’s social accounts, you’ll always find recommendations for events happening in the area. “Most Cleveland weekends begin with me saying, ‘We’re only making one stop.’ By Saturday evening, my family has visited a neighborhood event, tried something from a local restaurant, spent time near the lake, and somehow ended up wherever the music is playing.” 

Though Charlea was no stranger to social media, creating Cleveland-focused content was not always her goal. Initially, she created informational videos about financial literacy, but in early 2026 after a break from content creation, her social media content shifted. It was Charlea’s love for the live music scene that eventually brought her into the community connection content she makes today. “I started this small live music cohort of sorts and putting people together. And I put it out every week on a Thursday, so people know where live music is.” Now, Charlea posts weekly guides to events happening all over Cleveland; she creates weekend itineraries for locals, and shares what Cleveland has to offer for her audience. 

Going to events, socializing with your community, and bringing along a friend is one of the best ways to celebrate Cleveland, according to Charlea. 

“Celebrating Cleveland, for me, looks like showing up before everybody posts the recap. I want people to understand why a place matters, whose history lives there, and who deserves to have their name remembered. When I feature a business, artist, event, or neighborhood, my goal is to move people from watching to showing up,” she says. “My personal way of loving Cleveland is spending my time, money, attention, and voice here. I support the people creating the culture while the work is still happening—not after the room empties, and everyone wishes they had known.”  

And people have taken notice!  Charlea often sees her followers at different events across Cleveland, or in her everyday life. “You know, I got stopped yesterday at the grocery store, and somebody was like, I just started following you. ‘Hey, neighbor!’ And I was like, hey, how are you doing? And that’s what the people at the festivals were doing. Like, ‘oh, hey, neighbor’. 

“Hey Neighbor” is Charlea’s call in to the people that engage with her content, and to some extent, the mission of her social platforms. “We used to have front porches. We used to be able to go outside and enjoy people and enjoy ourselves without having to look over our shoulders wondering what we can say or not say. And that, for me, was the reason why I called everybody neighbors, because we all live in the same city, but we all have to have this communal opportunity to be able to get outside together, and live together, and so, my ‘hey neighbor’ call in is being able to now pull people in saying ‘belong here’.” For Charlea, the goal is to strengthen Cleveland’s community and fuel a social revival in the city. 

“Hey Neighbor is more than my call-in. It is my promise to Cleveland: if I find something worth experiencing, supporting, remembering, or building, I am bringing my neighbors with me, and if you see me outside with the yellow notebook, say, “Hey Neighbor.” I will say hello back.” 

Beyond connecting residents to the city’s culture and events, Charlea is equally passionate about investing in Cleveland’s next generation. 

Spending the last five years with Euclid Preparatory School, Charlea has developed a passion for amazing students like hers and felt called to join her friend Mo Tucker in founding a non-profit focused on Cleveland’s young people and youth fitness.  “Too often, youth fitness enters the conversation after a child begins struggling with confidence, health, behavior, or belonging. I want movement to become part of childhood earlier—a place where young people build discipline, resilience, friendships, and belief in themselves.”  

This thought was the basis for a new movement in Cleveland, Our HoVse. 

“I am leading the nonprofit Our HoVse alongside my friend Mo Tucker. Through this work, we are creating youth fitness experiences centered on more than exercise. We want children to feel supported, challenged, connected, and proud of what their bodies are learning to do. Stronger young people become stronger neighbors, teammates, students, and future leaders.”  

The nonprofit foundation, founded in 2025, has already made an impact on youth in the area through its weekly summer camp program. “The summer camp was so successful, and to see those kids want to engage and own their wellness and fitness and want to do more was a beautiful thing. 

 As a lifelong Clevelander, Charlea wants others to see how special Cleveland can be. “I choose Cleveland because there is still room to contribute, build, and help shape what comes next. This city has history, culture, creativity, grit, and people doing meaningful work without always receiving enough attention. I love finding those people and stories, then helping more neighbors see their city with fresh eyes,” she says. “Cleveland is not simply where I live. Cleveland is where I feel responsible for helping people connect, belong, and remember why home is worth showing up for.” 

To connect with Charlea, you can visit her Instagram at @charlearicki for Cleveland event roundups, local business stories, family experiences, Black music coverage, community insights, and examples of storytelling that creates connection. Artists, venues, businesses, civic organizations, and event organizers interested in submitting an event, sharing a story, building a partnership, or learning more about storytelling and branding consulting can reach out at hellocharlearickisocials@gmail.com.   

Learn more about the Our HoVse Foundation and to hear more on how your efforts will align with us by sending an email to connect@ourhovse.org.  

 Authored by: Sarah McCord