Ward 5

About Richard A. Starr

Richard A. Starr represents Ward 5 which includes the neighborhoods of Central, Kinsman, Midtown neighborhoods and part of downtown and North Broadway/Slavic Village. He is a well-known activist and is committed to making a positive impact on Cleveland's Central Community.

Councilman Starr has a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management and a Master of Business Administration from Baldwin Wallace University. He is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. .

Councilman Starr grew up in King Kennedy public housing estates in Ward 5, and during his youth he experienced poverty and violence. However, he found solace in the King Kennedy Boys & Girls Club, where his love for sports and community service blossomed and inspired his career path. 

Councilman Starr began working for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland in 2008, starting at the bottom and working his way up to become the Director of Sports and Recreation for Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio in 2023. He also served as a volunteer youth football coach and mentor in Ward 5, impacting the lives of many with his passion for sports and community service.

Councilman Starr has been a strong advocate for his community and has used his voice to speak out against violence and address community needs. During the COVID-19 pandemic 2020, he organized a Unity Peace March and collaborated with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank to distribute over 42,000 pounds of food. He also distributed 2,800 masks and participated in voter education initiatives.

Before being elected, Councilman Starr achieved several significant accomplishments as an activist. One of his most notable achievements was serving as the Project Coordinator for successfully acquiring $550,000 in funding from Major League Baseball. This funding was dedicated to building a new Digital Arts Studio in the community. Additionally, Councilman Starr secured $50,000 in funding for a brand-new playground, which has been a valuable asset for the community. Another remarkable achievement was securing a donation of $200,000 to fund the construction of a basketball skills and training program for youths in the city of Cleveland.  These accomplishments have had a profound impact on the community, and improved the quality of life for residents.

Councilman Starr was a strong advocate for providing work experience opportunities to young people. He was instrumental in creating and implementing a strategic plan to recruit and retain 175 youth who attended two Boys & Girls Clubs locations. Additionally, he led a campaign to establish a new Teen Center and successfully secured $210,000 in funding for the project. This funding was used to build the new club located at East Technical High School. Councilman Starr developed a partnership with Benedictine to allow youth for Ward 5 community to attend school with no cost associated with parents valued at $150,000.

Councilman Starr has received several awards and recognitions for his outstanding work. In 2019, he was honored with the Shoes and Clothes for Kids "Partner of the Year" award, and in 2018, he was recognized as a "Champion of Central" by the Cleveland Central Promise Neighborhood.

Councilman Starr is a proud graduate of The East Technical High School and serves on several boards, including the Telos Institute, Hunger Network, Urban League of Greater Cleveland Young Professionals, and Chairman of the Cuyahoga County office of Reentry for the Greater Cleveland Leadership Coalition. He was elected Democratic leader of Ward 5 in 2018.