Rainey Institute is very excited to announce our incoming Executive Director, Ms. Marcella J. Brown, MNO, CFRE, FCEPI.

Marcella Brown is the fourth person to hold this title in nearly 60 years of one of Greater Cleveland’s most dynamic arts centers. She also owns BrownStone LLC, a public relations firm that provides consulting services in fundraising, public affairs, community engagement, and media relations.

Prior to the Rainey Institute, Ms. Brown was the Vice President of Development & Communications for Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry (LMM), leading the agency’s fund development and external relations.

As the Rainey Board Chair, Bill Lipscomb said, “We feel truly fortunate to pass organizational leadership to such a qualified professional with a passion for arts education, and deep connections to the Cleveland community.”

“I am humbled and honored to join the staff of such a historic arts community as the Rainey Institute.” Marcella Brown shared in response to being offered the position. “This organization has changed the trajectory of my children’s engagement with the arts, and I look forward to being a champion, alongside an amazing team of artists and administrators in elevating Rainey’s role in the Greater Cleveland arts scene.”

Marcella Brown is known as an innovative nonprofit leader with strong advancement experience, and deep connections to diverse communities and civic spaces. Her professional tenure includes leading nonprofits as the Executive Director of the Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation (BPACF), as a development consultant for DigitalC, and as the Assistant Director of Development for The City Club of Cleveland.

Brown holds two bachelor’s degrees from The Ohio State University, and a Master of Nonprofit Organization from Case Western Reserve University. She is a Certified Fund-Raising Executive and a Fellow of the Charitable Estate Planning Institute. She is also a graduate of Cleveland Bridge Builders, and the Urban Land Institute’s Real Estate Diversity Initiative.

Marcella Brown serves on the Executive Committee for MOCA Cleveland, and as a board member for the We Raise Foundation, BPACF, and as Co-Chair of Marketing for BankOn Cleveland. She is also a member of the Black Trustees Alliance for the Arts. Marcella is a proud Rainey Mom, with her two daughters, Amani and Ameryst, being past participants in the Summer Arts Camp and Saturday Program at the Hough Location and the Musical Motion Picture Camp at the Pivot Center.

We hope you’ll join us in welcoming Marcella to the Rainey Family!