Yvette Nicole Brown, star of NBC's "Community," and Ohio Native, shares her Favorite Ohio Destinations

(BLACK PR WIRE) (January 21, 2010) Yvette Nicole Brown is a bona fide Hollywood star, with her most recent role on NBC’s new hit comedy, Community. Brown has also appeared on the big screen in Tropic Thunder, 500 Days of Summer and Dreamgirls, and on the small screen in Disney’s Drake & Josh. Her credits include a number of other television programs including Seventh Heaven and Two and a Half Men. When Brown takes a break from the big and small screen, her destination might surprise you! But, it’s no surprise to Brown, who has many fond memories of growing up in the Buckeye State, with all it’s wonderful eateries, attractions and the many destinations that make Ohio a great place to visit.

Brown grew up in East Cleveland, Ohio and attended the University of Akron. Now, she’s sharing her childhood favorites with her fans, in the hope that they will find as much richness, enjoyment and beauty in the places that remind her of home as she has over the years. Read on to hear what Yvette Nicole Brown says about her top five spots to visit when she comes home, and find some additional suggestions for attractions that will help your family make your own Ohio memories.
“Here, in no particular order, are my top five places to visit and see in my beloved hometown of Cleveland,” says Brown.

1. Karamu House
“Karamu Theater is the oldest African-American theater in the United States,” says Brown “Many of Langston Hughes’ plays were developed and premiered at the theater.” Brown has a personal connection to the Cleveland theater, which inspired her as a child. “Karamu has a special place in my heart because I went to a lot of plays there when I was a little girl and my uncle, the late actor Charles Brown, performed there,” she says. “It’s a must see/visit when you’re in town.” 

Make Your Own Memories: Another great theatre and arts organizations to visit in Ohio is The Cincinnati Black Theatre Company (CBTC), which keeps the spirit of African-American theater alive through thought-provoking, musical and fun-filled performances for all ages. While keeping the spirit of the African-American theater alive, CBTC is also committed to enhancing literacy, promoting diversity and multiculturalism, pursuing collaborations and providing access to the arts.

2. The West Side Market
“If the West Side Market doesn’t have it, it probably doesn’t exist,” says Yvette Nicole Brown. “It’s been around since 1840, and it is Cleveland’s oldest public market.” The market features hometown favorites and cuisine from around the world. “Various vendors sell baked goods and fresh produce along with specialty items (and Cleveland favorites) like pierogis,” she says. “I remember going to the West Side Market with my Grandma when I was a kid. Lots of fond memories there!” 

Make Your Own Memories: Ohio is full of fresh farmers markets and old-style markets like the North Market in Columbus, a 44,000 square-foot market that features everything from handcrafts to homemade waffles and the Findlay Market in Cincinnati which has been providing fresh foods to its historic neighborhood since 1852.

3. East Fourth Street Entertainment District
“This is maybe one of my favorite places on earth!” says Brown. “It’s located in downtown Cleveland and it has EVERYTHING… food, entertainment, you name it! And whatever it doesn’t have, it’s only a stone’s throw away from. Part of East 4th’s delights are Lola Restaurant, not to mention The Corner Alley (a bowling alley/bar/restaurant!) and the House of Blues. This one will not disappoint! Love it, Love it, LOVE IT!!!!” 

Make Your Own Memories: When you visit Ohio, great entertainment isn’t far behind! Visit Cincinnati’s Avenue Entertainment District, located on Cincinnati Avenue between Mesa and Stanton streets for hip bars, hot restaurants and sizzling nightlife. In Columbus, the Short North is famous for its nightlife and atmosphere.

4. The Cleveland Museum of Art
“What can I say about the Cleveland Museum of Art that isn’t already known? I absolutely LOVE it! That’s news!” says Brown. “It boasts an extensive collection of Pre-Columbian art, medieval European Art, and Asian and Indian art. They also have an armor court, which is a light-filled enclosed courtyard, filled with a dozen suits of medieval armor. They also have a large French Impressionist collection. And get this, a large cast of Auguste Rodin’s 'The Thinker' sits in front of the Cleveland Museum of Art. What is cooler than that?”

Make Your Own Memories: Ohio is full of award-winning museums of art, culture and history! Visit the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce, which educates the public about African American history and culture from African origins to the present through a variety of programs, including museum exhibits, research and publications, visiting scholars, oral and visual history and adult and children's educational activities.

5. Things I love about home that may be too sentimental for anyone but me…
Yvette Nicole Brown’s number five destination is an amalgamation of her favorite places that true fans of Brown or true fans of Cleveland might visit. “I think I’ve hit all the cool ‘mainstream’ places in Cleveland, but there are certain places I go whenever I visit that are very special to me. No list I write about Cleveland would be complete without them, so I decided to save my # 5 just for them. Here we go…”
“Sightseeing: I like to drive the length of Euclid Avenue from East Cleveland to downtown to be reminded of how the city has changed for the good. Lots of memories run the length of Euclid; lots of history, too.”
“Holiday time: Nothing beats the lights at the Nela Park branch of General Electric on Noble Road. I used to live across the street from Nela Park and during the holidays my family NEVER put up Christmas lights, the light show across the street was always SO much better.

“Memory Lane: Though sadly, it’s closed now, I love to drive by Randall Park Mall. Most of my best childhood memories (first job, first movie I went to) took place at Randall Park Mall. It’s near Thistledown racetrack and my high school, Warrensville Heights High. Everything about that stretch of Northfield Road just feels like home.”

Create and share your own Top Five list: upload photos, videos and stories by uploading to MyOhio.com; visit consumer.discoverohio.com/myohio.

For more fun and exciting multicultural events and locations to travel to and throughout Ohio, visit discoverohio.com/multicultural.