Cindy Barber

Awarded: 2026

Cindy Barber is executive director of the nonprofit Cleveland Rocks: Past, Present and Future, which she founded in 2012, and co-owner of the legendary Beachland Ballroom and Tavern. She and partner Mark Leddy opened the Beachland in 2000, transforming a former Croatian social hall in Cleveland's North Collinwood neighborhood into a nationally recognized venue that helped launch the Black Keys and supported artists such as Drive-By Truckers, Trampled by Turtles and Joe Bonamassa. She is currently developing NOMAD (Northeast Ohio Music Arts Development), a music economy incubator adjacent to the Beachland.

Barber began her music-industry career in the early 1970s, working for MCA, WEA and ABC Records before earning degrees in media and communications. She co-founded the Cleveland Express newspaper, managed local bands, and later served as production manager for Northern Ohio Live. She helped launch the Cleveland Free Times in 1992, becoming editor and earning numerous awards for her writing.

A driving force behind North Collinwood's revitalization, Barber has led community development organizations and served on several civic boards. Honored with the 2007 Cleveland Arts Prize for Distinguished Service to the Arts, she continues to champion Cleveland's music heritage and creative future.