BEREA, Ohio – The Cleveland Browns have nominated Dr. Henry Pettiegrew II, Chief Executive Officer and Superintendent of East Cleveland City Schools, for the team's 2025 Jim Brown Inspire Change Changemaker award. The annual award honors local leaders who are creating lasting change in their communities within the NFL Inspire Change's four pillars – education, economic advancement, police-community relations and criminal justice reform.
Since being appointed in 2019, Dr. Pettiegrew II worked to turn East Cleveland City Schools around. Prior to his appointment as superintendent, East Cleveland City Schools was rated near the bottom of state rankings (599 out of 611) and was consistently graded "F" on Ohio State's Report Card. Following his appointment, the district surged 62 spots in Ohio's rankings in just one year and has now reached a 3-star rating on Ohio's State Report Card ranking, meeting state standards for the first time in district history.
"My focus has always been making sure students feel supported and have what they need to succeed," Dr. Pettiegrew said. "Any progress we've made in East Cleveland is the result of our students, families, educators and partners showing up every day and putting in the work. I can't wait to see the progress we continue to make within the next few years."
By collaborating with the Browns, Dr. Pettiegrew led district efforts to decrease chronic absenteeism by 10.3% in the 2024-25 school year through the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network. In 2020, when the digital divide threatened learning, Dr. Pettiegrew helped secure $350,000 to make sure East Cleveland students and families had the technology they needed.
His impact stretches beyond education and chronic absenteeism. Dr. Pettiegrew worked with the Browns to install a synthetic turf football field at Shaw High School, creating a space that encourages students to get more involved in school and makes coming to class something to look forward to.
"The Jim Brown Inspire Change Changemaker Award is about highlighting an individual creating a real, lasting impact in their community," said Browns Vice President of Community Impact and Foundation Renee Harvey. "Dr. Pettiegrew does that every day with his students. Through his work with East Cleveland City Schools, he models the values of empowerment and opportunity for youth across Northeast Ohio, and we're proud to nominate him for this award."
The Browns invited Dr. Pettiegrew to visit CrossCountry Mortgage Campus, where he was interviewed in the radio booth about his work in East Cleveland and the district's recent progress. Mid-interview, Browns managing partner, JW Johnson stepped in to surprise Dr. Pettiegrew with the news that he had been selected as the Browns' 2025 Jim Brown Inspire Change Changemaker recipient.
Dr. Pettiegrew will be honored at the Browns' Inspire Change themed game on Dec. 21 versus the Buffalo Bills, where he will also receive a $10,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to benefit a nonprofit organization of his choice.
For more information on Inspire Change and the Changemaker Award, visit NFL.com/Changemakers.
About the Cleveland Browns and Browns Give Back:
The Cleveland Browns are committed to championing education and youth football, while also creating equitable opportunities for advancement in our community and throughout Ohio. For more information, visit www.clevelandbrowns.com/brownsgiveback and follow @BrownsGiveBack.
About Stay in the Game! Attendance Network:
Launched in 2019 by the Cleveland Browns Foundation, Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and Harvard's Proving Ground, the SITG! Attendance Network, now managed by Battelle, works together to reduce chronic absenteeism by bringing together experts, partners, and communities. Together, Stay in the Game! partners with 220+ districts and impacts more than 600,000 students throughout Ohio. For more information, visit https://stayinthegame.org/.
