Legal

Item Description

(Michael Nelson is donating one hour of his time to the winning bidder)

Michael L. Nelson, Sr. has always been an advocate for social and economic justice. Nelson, who was born and spent his early years in Public Housing, received a strong sense of community and family values from his loving mother Gladys and father Osa Reid. His organizational skills were recognized at a very early stage when he was selected to coordinate Central State University in Carl Stokes' reelection as Mayor of Cleveland. Other political activities followed including coordinating college students for Governor Richard Celeste (1980); Ohio Statewide Coordinator for Jackson for President (1984) and Campaign Manager for Michael R. White's State Senate Campaign.

Upon graduation from Cleveland's Glenville High School (1967), he attended Central State University (Ohio), receiving a B.S. in Elementary Education in 1972. Immediately upon finishing school, Nelson took a position with the East Cleveland, Ohio School System as a 6th grade teacher. He then joined the Cleveland Municipal School System as a reading instructor.

It was during his nine-years with the Cleveland Public Schools, that Michael honed his social activist skills. While teaching in the schools, he noticed the disparate treatment that African-American teachers and students received. In 1976, Nelson founded the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Inc., a teacher/student advocacy group, to protect the rights of both students and teachers from discrimination. The group's first victory was the reversal of a lay-off list during one of the Cleveland school district's many fiscal emergencies, which included a disproportionate number of African-American teachers. But through the efforts of the Alliance, the list was revised and many of the lay-offs were averted.

In 1984, at the request of Senator Michael R. White, Nelson joined the Glenville Development Corporation as the Director of Housing. Through his efforts, Glenville rehabilitated more properties than any other local development corporation in Cleveland.

In 1986, Michael then fulfilled a promise made to himself when he entered Case Western Reserve School of Law. He graduated in 1989 and joined Michael White's campaign for Mayor. After playing a major role in the White victory, Michael then took and passed the Ohio Bar in the spring of 1990.

In 1990, Michael established Michael L. Nelson, Sr. and Associates. The law firm specializes in Public Finance, Civil and Criminal Litigation, Small Business Development and Family Law. The firm's first client was Cleveland City Council, which he advised on issues ranging from recycling to the creation of the Cleveland Minority Cable Television Channel.

In addition to his law practice, he is also a principle of North Pointe Security, LLC., which specializes in unarmed security and electronic surveillance.

Michael continues to give back to his community on the local, state and national levels. He serves as a trustee of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (appointed by Mayor Michael R. White and reappointed by Mayor Jane Campbell), Central State University (originally appointed by Governor George Voinovich and reappointed by Governor Bob Taft), and as the Founding President of the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc. Michael is also the National Chairman for Chapter Development and Member Services for the 100 Black Men of America.

Michael is the proud father of four children, Michael Jr., Nichole, Ebony and Rayne Dennis.

Item Special Note

(Michael Nelson is donating one hour of his time to the winning bidder)

We accept Mastercard and Visa(not American Express) payments and cash payments. All money is due by Friday, July 16.

The executives will meet with the winning bidders at a time convenient to both parties, on or before December 1, 2004.