photo by steed media service

Most African American women of northeast Ohio succeed despite adverse and hostile circumstances. Melesa Plater, a Detroit native and the executive director of the Braylon Edwards Foundation, discerns the paramount importance of paying homage to these women who come from a broad spectrum of industries and disciplines. “We created this event to celebrate women,” says Plater, mother of Cleveland Brown’s wide receiver Braylon Edwards, and executive director of the foundation which bears his name. “There are so many dynamic women doing so many wonderful things. They really don’t have many chances to have their works celebrated. So we celebrate these women and we encourage other women to [perform as well].”

The Braylon Edwards Foundation was founded to edify and uplift the youth of Cleveland and Detroit through a variety of innovative initiatives. “We have adopted 100 children, and we plan to give them all scholarships [of] $10,000 each upon graduation from high school.” Another way to inspire children, Plater says, is to illuminate the works of accomplished adults, so their young successors can emulate them.

Edwards’ spectacular gridiron exploits and exuberant approach to the game often overshadows a deeply concerned community citizen. The third receiver chosen in the 2005 NFL Draft for the Cleveland Browns is equally fervent about helping impressionable adolescents manifest their dreams and showcase their innate talents — much like Edwards does on the football field every fall Sunday afternoon. Plater exemplifies similar qualities as she moves the foundation forward to positively impact more lives, young and old.

“I run this foundation with equal passion because I want the branding to be perfect. That’s why I do all these things,” she says. -terry shropshire

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