B eachwood resident Mary Jo Dean has always enjoyed dancing. She attended Maharishi University, holds an MFA in dance from CWRU, and is a certified life coach. In 1988, she founded Maid Brite, cleaning homes by herself to supplement her income as a dancer for Cleveland’s Repertory Project. Since that time, her company has grown. She currently employs 15 full- and part-time employees, servicing customers throughout Beachwood and the Heights. t takes someone special, who did something extraordinary, to be invited to sit with Queen Latifah on stage, so here’s her story. A few months ago, Mary Jo received an email from Defy Media, who was in search of a cleaning lady in Cleveland to be the recipient of a prank – but this was no ordinary prank. It was to air on the heartwarming series, Prank it FWD, on break.com, to help spread positivity. When reading the email, Mary Jo saw that Defy was requesting nominations for a single parent who is worthy and super deserving. Mary Jo has great relationships with all her employees, and gladly nominated Cara Simmons, Glori Nicholson and Germille Raham. Soon thereafter, Casey Casseday from Defy Media came to Cleveland to interview the candidates, not only from Maid Brite, but from other companies, as well. Since Casey needed additional information that Dean didn’t have, they camouflaged the prank by telling the candidates that personal information was needed to re-build Maid Brite’s website and Facebook page. When Casey talked to Cara about her relationship with Mary Jo, she became emotional and started crying, because through financial and health hardships, Mary Jo had always been supportive and had treated her well. Casey not only felt Cara was deserving, he also felt she had the best personality for the gag. It took a lot of planning before the prank became a reality. Here’s what happened: Cara was assigned a job for a very important client in Cleveland Heights. When she got there, Madeline, an actress in on the prank, answered the door. She told Cara she had already cleaned, and said she needed her help to get ready for a party for her boss that would take place that evening. Cara’s first task was to taste test a gourmet meal that was being prepared by world-renowned Executive Yacht Chef Manny Slomovits. Menu items included a California salad with Tristan rock lobster meat, valued at $400-$500 per lobster, that had been flown in from the south coast of Africa, and six additional courses, (Continued on next page.) Pictured: Mary Jo Dean and Cara Simmons share their story on The Queen Latifah Show. (Photo courtesy of Defy Media and The Queen Latifah Show.) I February 2015 n Beachwood Buzz 7