A Beacon, Pioneer, Maverick, Shero, Superhero, Friend, Confidante, Sister, Aunt and an Activist are just a few of the words used to describe Jessica Barbara Horne. A devoted public servant and advocate that dedicated her life to the community and family, she was unapologetic in her fierce and unwavering belief that Black people are unique and special. Jessica advanced the message that no matter where their life’s journey started or evolved, they were all created by God and destined for greatness.

The Early Years
Born November 26, 1943, Jessica’s story starts in Winter Haven, Florida as the first child of Johnnie Hunter and John Horne. She spent most of her childhood throughout Central Florida along with her sister Elvira. Her family, who were able to amass land coming out of slavery, ran and managed the family business farm. Jessica was surrounded by extended family and a tight knit Black community that thrived in what was then the Jim Crow South. It was in this community that Jessica learned and honed her work ethic, business acumen, and the understanding of the value of family and community.
Jessica graduated from Fessenden High School in Marion County and then set off for Tennessee State University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Like many Black women of that time Jessica’s first career was as an educator. The stories of Jessica in the community are legendary. She was in the first group of Black teachers tasked with the challenge of working in integrated schools. Although there was significant personal risk, Jessica entered the challenge with a focus on providing excellent education that included introducing to the White students the importance of Black people and their contribution to America. As one can imagine, that was met with significant resistance. After a mysterious fire that leveled the family house and her car, Jessica who was not in the home at the time fled Central Florida.

The Career Journey
Jessica migrated north to Cleveland, Ohio where she joined her mother Johnnie Ross, stepfather Percy Ross, Sr. and her sisters Elvira, Renee, Sabira and Erma as well as her brother Percy Jr. on 84th Street in the Hough neighborhood. Five girls, one boy and their many friends set out to take advantage of the opportunities afforded Black people in the North during the 1970’s. Jessica, the oldest, led the charge. Their journey was not without fun. Whether it was bid whist parties, old school cabarets, attending Cleveland Browns games or bowling leagues, Jessica was always the life of the party and quick-witted. She had the ability to give it and take it.
Jessica tried her hand at many jobs when she first arrived in Cleveland. She landed at Community Guidance, and it was there that she started her 50+ year career as a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor and Certified Prevention Consultant. She navigated the world of drug and alcohol abuse treatment and prevention as only she could. While at Orca House she started the first women’s treatment program in the State of Ohio with Beverly Bell and Mary Gooden and gained early recognition for her strategic insight and unique talent to work both at the grass roots level and with funding agencies. Due to this recognition, she was one of the first group of eight prevention counselors chosen by the State of Ohio in a new program focused on providing culturally specific service delivery in minority communities. UMADAOP was unique in its inception. The original pioneers Don Turner and Jacqueline Butler worked tirelessly with Rep. Mallory to pass House Bill 204 which at the time was a unique funding model. No one could imagine how this organization would grow and flourish. Jessica led the Cleveland organization as a part of Orca House until she spun off and cofounded the Cleveland Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Program (UMADAOP) in 1982. With Jessica at the helm, it was the first free-standing agency. The success of UMADAOP is attributed to all of these early pioneers. Representative Mallory at the Legislative level, Jewel Smith at the State of Ohio Executive Branch level and the UMADAOP Directors which included Jessica and John Edwards, supersized culturally specific treatment and prevention to new heights.

The Legacy
Jessica poured into UMADAOP and created her vision — An agency located in the community that provided services with an open door. She understood after working in recovery that the most effective method to deal with drug and alcohol abuse was through prevention. For her, prevention started with the youth. Aiming High, DRUMM, The Bethune Girls, The Deboise Boys, Drill Teams, Summer Camps and The Distinguished Gentlemen of Spoken Word are all programs that serviced thousands of kids from predominately Black neighborhoods in Cleveland. A tenet at the forefront of the programs was the expectation of excellence and commitment. They all knew that she expected and quietly demanded follow through and to be a person of your word. She wanted them to walk in the royalty and majesty of their ancestors. The youth in the program benefited from sitting at the knee of Ms. Horne to hear the stories, get the support and the motivation to do what seemed like the impossible to many. When they succeeded and achieved, she was their cheerleader and if they fell short, she reminded them that hard work and perseverance does not mean immediate success but to keep running the race.
Throughout her tenure at UMADAOP she continued the work with women in treatment through the signature program Akoma. It continues to evolve but at its core its focus remains constant –A program that supports and celebrates treatment and recovery by helping women and their families open the doors to change. It’s a place where these women can openly and honestly deal with their traumas in social connection with their fellow sisters that will lead to a brighter day. Rounding out the larger programs in the agency is Circle for Re-Entry Ohio (CFRO). Each year, thousands of men are released back into communities from the judicial system. Many lack the basic skill sets necessary for successful re-entry but that does not minimize their desire to be productive members of their communities. CFRO takes pride in its success rate that leads to a self-empowering, self-affirming and self-determined Black man.
The historic Hough community also garnered focus and love from Jessica. The family house on 84th Street sits in the midst of this community. Cleveland UMADAOP resides in Hough and through Jessica’s leadership, it partnered with many organizations to garner resources for the community. Jessica founded The Hough Services Provider’s Network, which is a 32-member interagency collaborative comprised of Hough Area organizations that span the breadth of social services, faith based, healthcare and local government. A fusion of multi-agencies that create programs and services that cover the entire human experience with the goal of wrapping around a family to create better outcomes. Hough Re-Development! Jessica purchased property throughout Hough in her leadership roles. Her dream — Hough’s return to its previous grandeur. Hough is a diamond in the rough with its unique location adjacent to University Circle, Cleveland Clinic and the Lake. Jessica was also the President of the Hough Community Land Trust, an organization focused on ensuring that the current residents of Hough had a seat at the table as the re-development occurred.

The Devotion to Family and Friends
Jessica’s family, including those not blood related, served as the source of her pride and joy. As she did in all other aspects of her life, Jessica preached excellence and dedication. Jessica not only talked it but she made sure that everyone lived it. The sister that had your back. All of her nieces and nephews were the benefactors of walking steps behind her as she navigated her work in the community. She spoke of them often to anyone who would listen. She sent them care packages or a surprise cash app that would come right on time. She transported them to school, paid for books or anything else required. The piece de resistance was her ability to create family meals that are legendary. Holidays were a special time at Johnnie’s home, affectionately known simply as “84th Street”, where her extended family could always count on good food, good conversation and a feeling of well-being.
She leaves to mourn her homegoing the following: Sisters and Brother: Elvira Horne, Renee Ross, Sabira Mustaquim, and Percy Ross, Jr. Nieces and Nephews: (1st Generation): Tamara Horne, Dedra Ross, Tara Williams (Leo), Robert Stanley, Jr. (Sherita), Akilah Ross, Alicia Ross, Sundiata Mustaquim, T’shaka Mustaquim, Angela Ross, and Percy Ross, III (2nd Generation): Atriel Morrow, Jasmine Davis (Marvin), Courtney Penland, Symone Mustaquim, Nia Terry, Rainah Ross, Christopher Terry, Jabari Edwards, Jamil Ross, Saniyah Mustaquim, Jackson Stanley, N’cere Payne and Tommy Payne (3rd Generation): Elijah Ward, Marvin Davis, III

Honoring the work and commitment of Jessica B Horne with a community scholarship fund that is in the spirit of her life’s contribution.

The family will create a website that will highlight the individuals who are recipients of the scholarship. Anyone who contributes will get periodic updates about their donation.