About ART TATUM ZONE

Transforming Community through BOLD acts of Love!

Mission

The Art Tatum Zone exists to create a comprehensive, integrated framework of programs and services that will serve to bring hope and help to children and families. The work will be built upon a foundation of existing strengths and assets within the zone to help transform a community guaranteeing that children, youth, and their families achieve academic excellence, family and housing stability and economic self-sufficiency. We seek to transform our community through bold acts of love.

Vision

The vision of the Art Tatum Zone is to create a healthy and safe community where every child excels and every family succeeds, and where every community member is self-sufficient living in a neighborhood that they are proud to call their permanent home.

Values

Compassion John 13:34 Assuming the best of others.

Collaboration Eph 4:16 We can't do it alone.

Innovation John 3:16 Love finds a way.

Excellence John 15:12 Unselfishly seek the best for others.

Learning Proverbs 12:1 The more you know the better you can do for others.

Meet The Team

ATZ Executive Team

Bio—Dr. Calvin Sweeney

Dr. Calvin Sweeney is the President and Co-Founder of the Art Tatum Zone, and the Lead Pastor of the Tabernacle Church. Additionally, he serves proudly as the chaplain of the University of Toledo’s Rocket football team, as well as the founder of Transform Toledo, a group of high-level cross-sector leaders who convene regularly to posit and activate innovative solutions to community problems in Toledo, Ohio.

Dr. Sweeney earned his doctoral degree in Leadership and Educational Theory from the University of Toledo. He also holds a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, with a focus on Mathematics, and a bachelor’s degree in education.

After 17 years as an elementary teacher, and several years providing instruction to future educators at the collegiate level, Dr. Sweeney decided to pursue education within a different context--leaving the traditional classroom behind to become a full-time pastor with a simple, but powerful vision to see the world illuminated by radical acts of godly love. His preaching and teaching focuses on thought leadership, love, and individual and community transformation.

Not only is Dr. Sweeney noted as an intellectual leader and gifted communicator, but he is also an accomplished athlete, one that dominated in three different sports. He was a 2-time state wrestling champion in high school and also wrestled at the collegiate level, earning a scholarship for his athletics, as well as his academic ability. He also was a 7-time national speed skating champion; North American Continental martial arts champion, and holds a black belt in karate and a black belt level in Shaolin Kung Fu. Additionally, he was also selected to represent the USA in the Pan Am Games.

Dr. Sweeney’s passion is engaging Christian and civic leaders at various levels to bring about transformation in individuals and communities.

He and his wife, Christine, have been married for 25 years and have six children.

Christine Sweeney is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Art Tatum, as well as the Co-Pastor of the Tabernacle Church in Toledo, Ohio. She graduated from the University of Toledo with a bachelor’s degree in education and went on to complete additional graduate studies in Educational Theory and Social Foundations. Christine taught within her local school district (Toledo Public Schools) for 20 years, before retiring and stepping fully into her current leadership role with the Art Tatum Zone, a nonprofit focused on strategically and systematically assisting students and families in marginalized and disinvested communities.

While teaching, Christine served in numerous capacities within the schools, including, but not limited to, as a member of the Intervention Response Team, School Core Team, and Positive Behavior team. Because of her extensive educational experience and her experience as a parent and a member of a faith-based organization, Christine brings a unique paradigm to conversations regarding education, family and community, and is a sought-after consultant, working with high level leaders

in for-profit and nonprofit sectors.

Christine and her husband, Dr. Calvin Sweeney, have been married for 25 years and are the proud parents of six children, who are by far the proudest accomplishments of their lives.

ATZ Leadership Team Members

Lisa Cramer, Executive Assistant lcramer@arttatumzone.org

Amber Morris, Program Director amorris@arttatumzone.org

The Program Director is responsible to find the connections and create synergies between the six pillars of service that engage, serve and provide opportunities for families, students and businesses to contribute to intiatives designed to make the Junction Neighborhood one of choice. This includes overseeing the Education Pillar by managing staff and creating active partnerships and programming lineups that enrich the lives of students in academics and experiences throughout the year.

Heidy Eckel, Community Hub Director at Jones Leadership of Business heckel@arttatumzone.org

The Hub director works at Jones Leadership Academy of Business and helps organize school and community resources around student and community success. This includes overseeing and coordinating partnerships and programs in the different priority areas: Academic success, Family and Community Engagement and Health and Wellness.

Aloee Jackson, Community Hub Director at Pickett Elementary School aloee@arttatumzone.org

Roz Goodwin, Senior Community Support, Pinewood Place rgoodwin@arttatumzone.org