Little Italy Future Leaders and the Italian American Museum of Cleveland Raise a Glass as Torch Is Passed to Younger Generations

Renee Morley (above-left), a member of Little Italy Future Leaders (LIFL), attends the club’s first event in June 2023—a sausage-making demonstration and wine tasting, featuring a historical culinary lecture by local chef Robert Fatica, held at the Italian American Museum of Cleveland (IAMCLE).

By Olivia Buller, President, LIFL

Launched by ISDA President Basil Russo in Cleveland, Little Italy Future Leaders (LIFL) is a local-level pilot project and platform for younger generations that recently garnered widespread media attention and strong reviews with its inaugural “history shuffle.”

Little Italy Future Leaders (LIFL), a younger generations’ culture and networking club — formed through Italian Sons and Daughters of America — is thrilled to announce the success of its Inaugural history shuffle, “A Glass From the Past,” held on July 20. The event, hosted in conjunction with the Italian American Museum of Cleveland (IAMCLE), aimed to showcase the rich history of the Little Italy enclave of Cleveland, Ohio.

From the National to the Local Level

In January 2023, a group of ISDA members attended the inaugural Italian American Future Leaders Conference, a fellowship platform that amplifies the voices and collective vision of young people committed to promoting the Italian American experience on both national and local levels.

Those members — Austin Doyle, Kellie Doyle, Dom LaPinta and Lydia Cancilla, with the support of ISDA President Basil Russo — returned home to Northeast Ohio and created LIFL, which has now hosted several Cleveland-Little Italy events, including hands-on sausage-, limoncello- and pizzelle-making demonstrations, and the history shuffle, which, thanks to its success, will become an annual fundraiser.

“A Glass From the Past” history shuffle posters and fliers were displayed throughout Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood. The event raised thousands and will become an annual fundraiser thanks to high demand and interest.

The shuffle raised thousands in donations, attracted local media attention from Fox8, 19 News, News 5 and Majic 105.7, and it proved that younger Italian American generations are ready to take up the torch and help lead the way (all proceeds will support the cultural programming and initiatives of LIFL and IAMCLE).

The event featured five unique Shuffle Stops and a private party, and LIFL committee members served as tour guides. Stops included Guarino’s Restaurant, Borgata Bar, Little Italy Wines, Mount Granita, and Lou’s Tavern of Little Italy, where guests had the opportunity to learn about each locale’s unique history, from the Prohibition Era to the present.

In addition, guests were treated to a special food or drink: authentic Italian American meatballs, shaved Sicilian ice, regional Italian vino, antipasti, nonna-made pasta e fagiole, homemade pepperoni rolls from Jim Frank, and dolci from Rachel Morse of Mappina Old World Treats.

Ultimately, LIFL is a pilot project and success story of how younger Italian Americans can meaningfully engage with their neighborhood through volunteerism, community outreach, media relations, event programming and brand development.

*Austin Doyle, Kellie Doyle and Nancy Reph O’Keefe share authentic limoncello at the Italian American Museum of Cleveland (IAMCLE).*

What’s Next

Upcoming LIFL events include a Little Italy Columbus Day party, Scopa happy hour and Tarantella dance lessons.

LIFL membership continues to grow, and the club is led by Olivia Buller (President), Lydia Cancilla (Vice President), Nick Salupo (Treasurer), Roman Casciani (Social Media), Austin Doyle (Website/Brand Development), and Kellie Doyle (Event Programming). A special thanks to IAMCLE Director Pamela Dorazio Dean for co-hosting and co-organizing “A Glass From the Past.”

For more information about joining LIFL or attending upcoming events, please visit www.liflcle.org and follow us on Instagram. For more information about the Italian American Museum of Cleveland, including becoming a donor, current and future programming, or becoming a volunteer, visit www.IAMCLE.org.

The application process for the national Italian American Future Leaders Conference — “IAFL3” — will open in September 2024 (ages 21 – 35). Learn more at www.iafuture.org.