Reframing East Cleveland
East Cleveland has long been defined by headlines rather than by its residents.
The Circle East Documentary was created to help shift that narrative.
In collaboration with Professor Nicholas S. Mays, and in partnership with the Cuyahoga Land Bank, Underdogs produced an original documentary centered on the voices of East Cleveland residents and the upcoming Circle East District revitalization efforts.
This was not a promotional overview of development plans.
It was a story about people and place.
Letting the City Speak
The documentary captures long-time residents reflecting on the city’s past, its challenges, and what revitalization could mean for their families and neighborhoods.
Interviews and on-site storytelling highlight:
Lived experiences within East Cleveland
Community resilience amid decades of disinvestment
Hope tied to structured redevelopment efforts
The possibility of a different future
Rather than framing revitalization through architectural renderings or policy language, the film grounds it in human perspective.
