Ebony Spano

Ebony Spano, Founder and Part-Time Executive Director of G.R.O.W., is a Youngstown native, U.S. Navy veteran, mother, and nonprofit leader whose work is rooted in family advocacy, community service, and lived experience. Although G.R.O.W. is headquartered in Greater Cleveland, Ebony’s connection to Youngstown remains central to the organization’s planned expansion into the Mahoning Valley.
Having grown up on Youngstown’s South Side, Ebony understands both the strengths of the community and the barriers families may face when trying to access reliable resources, inclusive programming, and meaningful opportunities for their children.
For Ebony Spano, G.R.O.W. began with a mother’s determination to make navigating life a little easier for families.

As a U.S. Navy veteran and mother of an autistic son, Ebony experienced firsthand how overwhelming it can be to find trustworthy resources, understand complicated systems and determine where to turn for support.

She also recognized something important: supporting a child means supporting the family surrounding that child.

That belief shaped G.R.O.W.’s commitment to Autism Family Inclusion. Rather than creating an organization focused only on a diagnosis, Ebony envisioned a community-rooted nonprofit where autistic individuals are intentionally included, caregivers are supported and resources and opportunities can strengthen the whole family.

Her vision became action through Babies & Brunch, an early grassroots initiative that provided meals to Greater Cleveland families during the COVID-19 shutdown. That same practical, responsive approach became the foundation for Growing Right Over Wealth.

Today, G.R.O.W. advances its mission through three coordinated programs: G.R.O.W.I.N.G., M.O.V.E., and G.R.O.W. UP, supporting families through community resources, nonpartisan civic engagement and preparation for adulthood.

Under Ebony’s leadership, G.R.O.W. has reached approximately 750 mothers and caregivers, supported more than 100 children, and secured more than $40,000 in philanthropic and public investment to advance its work.

What began with one mother’s experience has grown into a larger mission:

Support the individual. Strengthen the family. Create opportunities for children to G.R.O.W.