Mattie Jones Hollowell

Community Impact Honoree 2026

Mattie Jones Hollowell is the Senior Vice President and Regional Corporate Responsibility Officer at KeyBank, where she oversees the bank’s philanthropic investments, community partnerships, and strategy around economic mobility, inclusion, and sustainability. Mattie grew up on the east side of Cleveland, where the arts became a formative part of her life from an early age. By third grade at Andrew J. Rickoff Elementary School, she had joined the choir and developed a deep love for singing — a passion she carried through high school and that continues today through her church community. Coming from a musical family, Mattie credits those early experiences with building her confidence and teaching her the value of teamwork. “Being in a choir will teach you teamwork,” she says, “and let you know that you can create something beautiful with others.”

At KeyBank, Mattie’s work is guided by three strategic pillars: Neighbors, focused on safe and stable neighborhoods through affordable housing; Education, investing in academic success and college readiness; and Workforce Development, helping individuals build skills for strong careers. Under her leadership, KeyBank has made transformative community investments, including a $2 million commitment to the Cleveland Museum of Art to bring mobile art experiences into neighborhoods through Studio Go, and approximately $3 million in grants since 2020 to Cleveland nonprofits including the Cleveland Institute of Art, the Boys and Girls Club, College Now, and the Cleveland Orchestra. “If it makes an impact, it makes sense,” she says. “The best part of my job is seeing the impact that KeyBank can have in a community — whether it’s students gaining access to new opportunities or helping neighborhoods become stronger.”

Rainey Institute’s partnership with KeyBank is one Mattie holds especially close, as its mission aligns deeply with KeyBank’s vision of helping individuals, families, and communities thrive. For her extraordinary dedication to strengthening Cleveland through strategic community investment, her advocacy for arts education and opportunity, and her personal commitment to making a difference, Rainey Institute is proud to honor Mattie Jones Hollowell as our 2026 Community Impact Honoree.

Dr. Obadiah baker

Rainey legacy Honoree

Dr. Obadiah Baker is a composer, performer, nonprofit founder, and aerospace defense executive whose remarkable life journey began at Rainey Institute. Obadiah first came to Rainey through music therapy, after a therapist recognized that music might help a young boy navigate the challenges of communication and ADHD. That recommendation changed the course of his life.

At Rainey, Obadiah studied visual art, explored dance, and ultimately found his deepest calling at the piano — growing so fluent that he eventually accompanied dance classes himself, and later returned as both a camp counselor and piano instructor. “Rainey gave me a space to develop my artistic identity,” he reflects. “It truly laid the foundation for who I am today.”

From those beginnings, his path led to the New England Conservatory, performances with the Boston Pops Orchestra, and international tours, then took an unexpected turn into military service including deployment to Afghanistan. He later transitioned into aerospace defense and today holds a leadership role at Northrop Grumman in Silicon Valley. A return to music during the pandemic yielded The Shadow Between Us, an Emmy Award–winning film, followed by a Fulbright Scholarship and postdoctoral fellowship.

That spirit of service is embodied in Tender Heart Crusades, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Obadiah founded in 2009, which serves at-risk youth through education, mentorship, arts, and community programming across multiple states and countries.

For his extraordinary artistic achievements, his decades of service to youth and community through Tender Heart Crusades, and his enduring embodiment of everything Rainey Institute instills in its students, Rainey Institute is proud to honor Dr. Obadiah Baker as our 2026 Rainey Legacy Honoree.

Gavin Smedley

“Rainey Kid” Honoree

Gavin Smedley is a 10th-grade student, aspiring actor, and emerging leader whose journey with Rainey Institute began simply — a family friend suggested summer camp, his cousin said it was fun, and a seven-year-old from Garden Valley showed up with an open mind. That open mind made all the difference.

At Rainey, Gavin found his home in the drama program, where he discovered a natural gift for performance and an even deeper gift for improvisation. Under the mentorship of Mr. Titus — whom Gavin affectionately calls his “chosen father” — he developed the vocal range, creative ownership, and confidence that have come to define him as a performer. “The performing arts isn’t just what you do on stage,” he says. “It teaches you how to be human.” From a peppermint lumberjack in a Candyland-themed Wizard of Oz parody to a knight performing alongside his older brother in his very first summer play, Gavin has embraced every role as an opportunity to connect, grow, and give himself fully to the work.

Now attending a private Catholic high school, Gavin is consistently recognized by peers and faculty as one of the most respectful and polished students in his class — a distinction he credits largely to what Rainey taught him. He volunteers at the Huff campus on Fridays and his face is literally part of Rainey’s story, featured prominently in the mural on the building’s exterior.

Looking ahead, Gavin is eyeing Ohio State, Cornell, and programs with strong acting tracks, while keeping an open mind toward law, medicine, and philanthropy. Whatever path he chooses, the foundation is clear.

For his remarkable growth as a performer and young leader, his deep commitment to Rainey’s community, and his embodiment of what the performing arts can do for a kid who simply shows up ready to try, Rainey Institute is proud to honor Gavin Smedley as our 2026 Rainey Kid Honoree.