When Ohio native and radio disc jockey Alan Freed coined the phrase "Rock & Roll" in 1951 to describe the uptempo, black rhythm and blues records he played, the music appealed to people on both sides of the racial divide. He ushered in a new genre of music that helped erase the barriers of segregation in America. 

He promoted Rock & Roll through radio, television, movies and live performances. The music attained worldwide popularity and changed the cultural landscape for the rest of the 20th Century - and beyond. The success of Freed's  "Moondog Rock & Roll House Party" radio show encouraged him to organize the Moondog Coronation Ball - the world's first rock concert - on March 21, 1952.

The Alan Freed Memorial Fund will ensure that future generations have an opportunity to appreciate his many contributions to music and our culture through education. It will also help provide funding for the creation and maintenance of the memorial site while providing a place where the public can pay tribute to his memory, reflect on his accomplishments, and celebrate his legacy as the founding father of Rock & Roll.

The Alan Freed Memorial Fund is a Donor Advised Fund at the Cleveland Foundation. Donations to the Foundation directed to The Alan Freed Memorial Fund qualify as fully tax-deductible.