Esperanza, Inc. was honored to welcome Dr. Michael A. Baston, President of Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C), for a special Tour of Hope—a visit that celebrated the powerful impact of our ongoing partnership and showcased the transformative work happening at the Esperanza Tri-C Access Center and throughout the organization.
Dr. Baston was joined by members of his leadership team, including Dr. Radiah Blanton, Dr. Melissa Burrows, and Ms. Erika Bell, for an immersive experience highlighting the success stories and community connections fueled by this collaborative effort.
Tri-C is one of the foundational partners and sponsors of our Tri-C Access Center, which provides free, bilingual services such as workforce development, job training, digital literacy, ESL, citizenship preparation, and more to the community. Learn more about the Tri-C Access Centers at Tri-C’s official site.
During the visit, Dr. Baston and his team had the opportunity to hear directly from Esperanza’s Adult Learners team, who lead the day-to-day efforts within the Access Center. Their passion and dedication were evident, as they spoke about the life-changing work being done to empower thousands of individuals and families across Cleveland.
The delegation also met with College Success Advisors Patricia Peña and Sebastian Canales, members of our Post-Secondary team. Sebastian, a proud Tri-C graduate, shared how the college laid a strong foundation for his educational journey and professional success. His story resonated with Dr. Baston, underscoring the importance of accessible, community-rooted education.
Another powerful moment came during Dr. Baston’s conversation with David Alfonso, Esperanza’s IT & Data Specialist and a current Tri-C student. David expressed how his time at Tri-C has been instrumental in shaping his career path, and emphasized how meaningful the partnership between Esperanza and Tri-C has been in helping him thrive.
Throughout the visit, a common thread emerged: the critical role of supportive coaches and mentors—both at Tri-C and Esperanza—in the success of our students. These relationships continue to foster growth, resilience, and a sense of belonging among our adult learners.
The Tour of Hope included meaningful conversations with several members of Esperanza’s leadership team, including President & CEO Margaret D. Sanchez; Victor Ruiz, Former Esperanza President & CEO; Zulayka Ruiz, Director of Programs; Jeff McKissick, Director of Operations; Elizabeth Semidei, Donor Relations & Event Management; and Christian Cisneros, Marketing Manager.
The visit concluded with a special meeting, where Margaret presented Dr. Baston with a letter of award announcing that Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) will be honored as one of Esperanza’s 2025 Philanthropists of the Year.
Cuyahoga Community College will receive the Esperanza Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Fiesta of Hope, taking place on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the Hotel Cleveland, as a testament to Tri-C’s unwavering commitment to providing Cleveland’s Hispanic community with access to quality and affordable education.. Learn more about the Fiesta at esperanzainc.org/fiesta-of-hope.
We at Esperanza are deeply grateful for Tri-C’s ongoing partnership and commitment to uplifting the Northeast Ohio community through education, opportunity, and hope. For over 30 years, Tri-C and Esperanza have worked together to break down barriers, open new doors, and create a brighter future for all. Here’s to many more years of shared purpose, lasting impact, and hope realized.