About

About IAMCLE

Highlighting Italian Americans of Northeast Ohio.

Our Mission

Through stunning exhibits and immersive events, the Italian American Museum of Cleveland (#iamcle) promotes and cultivates 150 years of history and culture in our city and region.

We work in partnership with the Western Reserve Historical Society to document our local history and utilize materials to educate the public about Italian American history and to strengthen the bonds within the Italian American community.

Programs include walking tours of Little Italy, explorations of Italian and Italian American culture, and Italian language classes.

Join us as we seek out and spotlight family businesses, laborers, artists, and leaders who flourished and formed neighborhoods, communities and institutions.

Help Our Cause

100% of your donations will directly fund our programs, initiatives and exhibits.

Donate Now →

The Figures Behind IAMCLE

Founder and President

Hon. Basil M. Russo

Basil M. Russo, a retired judge, leads the Conference of Presidents — a nonprofit comprised of the 50 largest Italian American organizations in the U.S. Basil also serves as national president of the Italian Sons and Daughters of America; he is an executive committee member of the National Italian American Foundation; president of the Justinian Forum Bar Association; and chairman of Cleveland’s Columbus Day Parade. He has devoted much of his life’s work to preserving the history and culture of Italian Americans “as my way of honoring the memory of my parents and immigrant grandparents.”

Museum Director

Pamela Dorazio Dean

Pamela has been serving as Curator of Italian American History at the Western Reserve Historical Society for 20 years. She holds a Master of Arts in history with a concentration in public history from Kent State University and has achieved the rank of Certified Archivist as recognized by the Academy of Certified Archivists.

Board Member

Marie Frank

Marie serves as the district vice president for Ohio/Michigan of the Italian Sons and Daughters of America. She, along with her husband, Joe, are largely responsible for the creation and growth of University Lodge, the largest ISDA lodge in Ohio.

Board Member

Patricia E. Russo

Patricia serves as the executive editor of La Nostra Voce, the ISDA’s national newspaper. She also serves on the board of the Russo Brothers Italian American Film Forum, which awards grants to creative filmmakers seeking to explore the Italian American experience.

Board Member

Peggy Zone Fisher

Peggy served as President and CEO of The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio for 18 years, before retiring in August 2024. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority Board and has received numerous honors for her achievements, including the 2024 Community Leader of the Year Award from Cleveland Magazine. Earlier in her career, she led one of the largest women-owned businesses in the region and was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the White House Small Business Commission.

The Italian American Museum of Cleveland is sponsored by the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) and is a proud partner of the Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS).