Dr. Terrence S. Robinson went home to be with the Lord on October 21, 2021.  

Dr. Terrence S. Robinson is survived by his beloved wife, Dr. Kelene Robinson; children, Terrence Sherrod II, Emmanuel, Elyshah, Sydnee-Symone and Braxton; mother, Barbara C. Robinson; father, Gilbert Walker; sister, Towanda D. Robinson; mother-in-law, Deborah Pye (Melvin); father-in-law, James Jones (Jackie) and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, friends, colleagues and fraternity brothers.

On the afternoon of Thursday, October 21^st, Dr. Terrence S. Robinson passed on to his eternal reward after a morning of doing what he loved most…spending time with his family.

Dr. Terrence S. Robinson, MBA, MS was a force and a powerhouse who understood his calling and enthusiastically followed God’s will for his life. His clarity of purpose transcended human understanding, enabling him to make extraordinary contributions to the world in his far to short time on earth and his walk with God made him an unassuming example of faith in action for the thousands of people whose lives he impacted during his journey.

Born in Chesapeake, Virginia on May 28, 1975 to Barbara Robinson and Gilbert Walker, Terrence, by the age of 5, was nicknamed “mastermind” for his exceptional ability to observe, negotiate and strategically assess complex challenges. His early displays of brilliance paired with his big smile, deep dimples and inviting eyes were effective in successfully disarming even the most stubborn opposition and served him well academically, personally and professionally.

Dr. Robinson possessed an exceptional resolve to leave his mark on the world and methodically amassed the tools he needed to make that mark. After matriculating through the Chesapeake Public School system, Terrence attended Morehouse College, earning his B.B.A in Finance. Dr. Robinson went on to earn both an M.B.A. in Strategy and Management and Master of Science in Positive Organizational Development and Change Management from Case Western Reserve University – Weatherhead School of Management. In 2017 Terrence earned his Doctor of Education in Community College Leadership from National American University – successfully rounding out his core academic endeavors.

Terrence’s uncommon clarity of purpose irrefutably manifested itself when he met the love of his life, the iron that sharpened his iron, his dream keeper, the one who was “down for him no matter what” and the woman he was made to love, Kelene. Marrying within 6 months of their first meeting; Terrence and Kelene’s union was undeniably made in heaven…and everyone who crossed the couples’ path new it. Terrence actively and openly adored Kelene and she reverently and attentively loved him in return. Together, during their 18 ½ years as husband and wife, they built a foundation that birthed 5 amazing children, countless personal and professional successes and was powerful enough to serve as the inspiration for dozens of other love stories. A forever love.

Terrence’s Wedding Vows to Kelene

On the day I met you [baby girl], I was missing so much, I was suffering from so much lack.

On the day I met you, I was blind and he gave me your eyes to see and your beauty to behold.

On the day that I met you, I was deaf and he gave me your ears to hear and your voice to listen to.

On the day that I met you, I was a mute and he gave me the words “I love you” to tell you for the rest of my life.

One the day that I met you, my mind was blank, I had no thoughts and he gave me you to think about for eternity

On the day that I met you, my arms and hands didn’t work and he gave me you to hold and protect.

On the day that I met you, I had stopped breathing until he gave me your kiss to give me life.

On the day that I met you, my heart had stopped until he gave me yours so we could beat as one.

[Baby girl] on the day that I met you I was living in my past until he made you my future.

You see, I got blessed in so many ways on that day that I met you but the most important thing you did

GOD GAVE ME BACK MY RIB and He completed me and made me whole again and I love you.

Terrence Robinson was meticulous and intentional in the way he loved his children. Ever the proud Father, photos of Terrence II, Emmanuel, Elyshah, Sydnee-Symone and Braxton were never far away and his greatest joy was spending time at home with them. Sunday evenings were made extra special with the scheduled one-on-one time Terrence would take with each of his progenies to discuss their lives and pour parental and Godly love into them. The “Matriculation of Manhood” curriculum is a program Terrence created for his Sons as a way to usher them into adulthood – starting with a retreat he’d take with each of them when they turned 12. Sydnee-Symone, Terrence’s baby girl, received her own special direction from her father, including Daddy-Daughter outings, that were often peppered with laughter from the inside jokes the two shared with one another. Recently, Terrence had begun writing letters to his children to further solidify their bond and to convey his dreams for them and their futures and he and Kelene charted a course of action to ensure that their life’s work benefited their family for generations to come.

Dr. Terrence Robinson – the change maker – created a legacy that will impact Ohio and beyond for years to come. Some of the organizations that can proudly declare they’ve been positively touched by Dr. Robinson include the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Cuyahoga Community College, Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network, Ohio Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and the Urban League of Greater Cleveland. Dr. Robinson’s Jobs for the Future webinar “Game Changer: What the Sports World Can Teach Us About Youth Career Opportunities” was received as a revolutionary roadmap to workforce development. One of Dr. Robinson’s vehicles for change was Success Pathways Alliance an organization he Co-Founded and where he served as Vice President. Through Success Pathways Alliance, Dr. Robinson was able to convey his vision of an education system that matches the workforce and to aid organizations and municipalities in achieving that goal. He was also involved in various organizations including The Center for Health Affairs, Hebrew Free Loan Association and is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Terrence is a 2021 graduate of Leadership Cleveland and was on the path to HBCU Presidency as a fellow with the HBCU Executive Leadership Fellowship and it’s hard not to imagine what the world would have gained had Terrence had more time to finished his book “American Apprenticeship System” and launched his courses on the same topic.

Dr. Terrence Robinson’s greatest legacy is the love he leaves in the world and those loved ones who are left to mourn his passing and celebrate his life including his wife, Dr. Kelene Robinson; children, Terrence Sherrod II, Emmanuel, Elyshah, Sydnee-Symone and Braxton; mother, Barbara C. Robinson; father, Gilbert Walker; sister, Towanda D. Robinson; mother-in-law, Deborah Pye (Melvin); father-in-law, James Jones (Jackie) and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, friends, colleagues and fraternity brothers.