Claytor is a lifelong Shaker resident who is running to join a council moving Shaker progressively forward. Claytor is a third-generation Shaker Heights resident, and a second generation alumnus of the Shaker Heights City School District. He finds himself in a family full of Shaker alumni from 1975 until 2018. Additionally, his maternal grandfather, Joseph Battle, was a realist (before Black peopl
e could hold the title of Realtor), who helped integrate the Ludlow neighborhood with his firm J. After graduating from Shaker Heights High School, Ifeolu matriculated at Miami University where he studied Political Science and Social Justice Studies, focusing in crime, law, and social justice. During his college years, he studied under the Director of the Office of Institutional Relations. This learning opportunity gave him great insight into local, state, and federal government and their operations. He also participated in Miami University's Inside Washington Program and interned in the Congressional Office of the late Alcee L. At Miami, Ifeolu served as the Secretary for Diversity Affairs in Associated Student Government, advocating for over 50 diverse student organizations. He was able to pledge Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. through the Kappa Delta Chapter, and also served as the student representative on the search committee that found Miami University's current President. After graduation, Ifeolu began a career in the local non-profit sector, and then transitioned into campaign-work. He managed a team of 30-50 paid canvassers to collect signatures to get an issue on the state-wide ballot. This effort turned in the 2nd highest amount of signatures in Ohio history. After this, Ifeolu was recruited to work on a successful Ohio Supreme Court race breaking a one-party stronghold. Ifeolu then worked as a Research Associate at Burges & Burges Strategists, a research-based political consulting firm. There, he produced research that focused on public opinion, to help determine campaign strategy and messaging. A large part of this work focused on meeting and interviewing community leaders and community members to understand how they viewed their local government or school district, especially in regards to taxes, funding, and the quality of service/education that residents received. He also gained experience in analyzing community survey data that identified public opinion on local government and school districts. He has been specifically trained on how to listen to constituents, decipher public opinion, and advise on how to move forward with that information. Ifeolu left Burges & Burges to join Elizabeth Warren's Presidential Campaign, which was a better fit for his personality. He worked with college students to establish "Students for Warren" chapters across Ohio to mobilize their peers. Currently, Ifeolu am a campaign manager for a state-wide voter protection campaign. He works to expand and protect voting rights and ballot access. Outside of work, Ifeolu serves as the Political Action Chair for the Cleveland NAACP, 1st Vice President of the Shaker Heights Democratic Club, Treasurer for Northeast Ohio Young Black Democrats, and Community & Social Action Chair for the Cleveland (OH) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Throughout his career and community involvements, Ifeolu has been a creative problem solver. He believes that these experiences and qualities, combined with his love of our home, will make him a great Shaker Heights City Councilman. Ifeolu hopes he can count on your support at the polls between Tuesday October 5th and Tuesday November 2nd.