Few people embody the spirit of Hough like Keith Benford. Inspired by the late Fannie Lewis, Cleveland’s longest-serving councilwoman and a champion for civil rights, Keith has dedicated his life to restoring, revitalizing, and inspiring the community his mentor loved so deeply. A graduate of East Technical High School, Keith never strayed far from home. He married his wife, Sylvia, in the same co
mmunity that nurtured him, and together they raised five children. In 2001, they purchased and built their home on East 66th Street, where they continue to live today. Three of their children attended Cleveland Metropolitan School District schools, where Sylvia also devoted her career as an educator. Today, each of their children is successful in their own right—a living reflection of the values Keith and Sylvia cultivated through faith, service, and community.
His Three-Mile Radius…
Keith has spent his entire life in the Hough neighborhood, affectionately referring to it as his “three-mile radius.”
“I never got the memo to move my family to the suburbs” he says with a smile.
To Keith, Hough is the perfect pocket of Cleveland. Everything his family needed was within reach. His children safely rode public transportation and the HealthLine to attend Cleveland School of the Arts. Today, he and Sylvia still enjoy walking to neighborhood events along well-lit streets, embracing the creativity and culture that continue to define the Hough neighborhood. To put it plainly: Keith’s spirit is contagious. His presence is known throughout Ward 8 and not because he seeks recognition, but because he consistently shows up. One of his favorite memories dates back to 2008 during New Day in Hough, an event hosted by his late mentor, Fannie Lewis. Keith wanted neighborhood children to participate in the parade by riding decorated bicycles. He posted flyers throughout the community inviting families to bring their children and bikes, but no one responded.
Instead of giving up, Keith began asking children directly if they wanted to ride in the parade.
Their answer surprised him.
“We don’t have any bikes.”
With only $50 in his pocket, Keith drove to the Salvation Army hoping to purchase a few bicycles. After hearing what he was trying to accomplish, the staff loaded his minivan two times over with donated bikes and refused to take his money! Keith brought the bicycles to Thurgood Marshall, a cornerstone of the Hough community, lined them up, decorated them with balloons, and invited the children to ride. That single act of generosity grew into a bicycle program at Fatima Community Center, where for two years children gathered every Tuesday and Saturday to ride donated bicycles from the Cleveland Division of Police throughout the neighborhood. What began as one simple idea blossomed into a program that gave children joy!
He Who Waters Will Himself Be Watered…
Keith’s bicycle program is only one example of his lifelong commitment to Hough. When he first moved into his neighborhood, conditions were difficult. Yet rather than meeting hardship with fear or force, Keith believed that persistent acts of goodness could slowly overcome negativity.
With faith the size of a mustard seed, he chose presence over fear.
His consistency became its own kind of patrol. His faith became armor. His service became protection. During the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, Keith continued organizing neighbors through Zoom meetings, making sure people stayed connected even when they couldn’t gather in person. His work did not go unnoticed.
One day, he received a call from the Cleveland Foundation and MidTown Cleveland, Inc.
“We want you.”
Today, Keith continues to serve as one of Ward 8’s most recognizable community leaders. Most recently, he partnered with DaQuavion Roston, Community Engagement Manager for Midtown + Hough at MidTown Cleveland, Inc., to host a Juneteenth celebration at Dunham Tavern Museum—bringing together neighbors in celebration—even horse-back riding!
The Next Step…
Keith continues to carry forward Fannie Lewis’s enduring vision:
Restore. Revitalize. Inspire.
His next goal is helping organize the 60th anniversary of the Hough Uprising, combining the commemoration with voter registration efforts and civil rights education ahead of November’s election. He hopes the initiative will naturally extend the spirit of New Day in Hough by honoring the past while preparing future generations to lead. His advice to neighbors is simple:
“You need to get involved. Go door-to-door.”
Keith believes every resident should know the resources available in their community. Through Neighbor Up Action Grants in Ward 8, he secured funding that helped make the Juneteenth celebration possible—proof that when residents become engaged, meaningful change follows. Keith Benford is leadership personified. Attend nearly any community event in Hough, and you will find someone who knows him by name. His presence draws people together, and his relationships strengthen every gathering he touches.
Some people build programs. Some people build neighborhoods. Keith Benford builds people.
He is a shepherd of Ward 8, faithfully watering the community he loves…living proof that “he who waters will himself be watered.”
