Mario Clopton-Zymler

Mario is a charismatic and dedicated leader, music educator, and academic who combines his shared experience in education and social justice advocacy to challenge power constructs and inform students, organizations, and society-at-large on best practices in anti-racism and

equity.

In 2020, he completed his doctoral coursework in Educational Leadership at Ohio University. His research focus includes educational equity policies and practice.

Mario worked as a field organizer with Obama for America in 2008, and in 2015, he was appointed to a four-year term on the Cleveland Community Police Commission, an advisory group created by consent decree that recommends policies centered around ending unconstitutional policing and improving community-police relations. He currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Cleveland Heights Racial Justice Task Force.

Mario is running for school board to empower and support the students of Tiger Nation with all the resources and structure they need to learn, grow, and thrive in our schools and in society. Mario will advocate for more Black, intersectional experience on the Board of Education and other positions of leadership on Board committees and task forces. He seeks to rebuild trust with all stakeholders of the community by holding the school district accountable to its mission, distribution of resources, and strategic planning. He is also a staunch advocate for Arts education and will fight for quality visual, technical, and performing arts within the school day.

He currently resides in Cleveland Heights with his husband, Ryan and their dog, Bowser.