By Trinity Brown (RLH Unlimited Pageants Alumna)

To be the first can be daunting. It takes a certain caliber of person to execute this feat and create the standard. As we embark on the 45th Miss Black Cincinnati and 35th Miss Black Teen Cincinnati pageants, let’s take some time to step back and shed light on one of the firsts. Ms Vicky “Vee” McWorther.

Vicky was crowned Miss Black Teenage America in the first Miss Black Teenage America Pageant in Cincinnati, Ohio. During her reign, she was bestowed the key to the city and received the Ms. Positivity Award, along with the title Ms. Dream Girl.

Not only is she a pageant queen, but she is a woman of many talents, from singing to acting. Her acting debut took place right here in the city, at the beloved Playhouse in the Park. In her own words:

“I will cherish those memories forever, because those days (and the people I worked with back home), helped me grow into the woman I am today!”

Her career skyrocketed to Broadway (and off Broadway) she even graced television screens in a variety of shows.

While doing all these things, this multifaceted mogul also worked in music.

At the age of 12, she was given the Musican of the Year award. This award propelled her into a music career. Her first stateside release was with Fraternity Records called “How I Wish You Were Here,” featuring Larry Holston. She had several other releases; two specifically were major CD releases in Japan, “We all Need Love” and “Y2k/ Save the World”. During her career, she’s had the opportunity to work with greats such as Jeffery Daniels (Shalamar), Baby Face, Bootsy Collins, The Deel, LA Reid, and many more.

To this day she continues to do what it is she loves: singing, traveling, and spreading her wisdom to others. She gives all the glory to God for her success and the opportunities she’s been afforded. “I was Blessed, and I Thank God Almighty for it all,” says Vicky.

This year she will have a full circle moment and the chance to pour into young women as a special guest at the Miss Black Cincinnati and Miss Black Teen Cincinnati pageants that will be held on Saturday April 5th at Corinthinan Baptist Church

The post The first of many: Setting the standard for queens to come appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

In honor of Women’s History Month in March, the Hamilton County Commission on Women & Girls  invited every elected woman in Hamilton County to gather on the Courthouse steps on March 11for a bi-partisan group picture. 

Did you know that as of 2024:

• Women hold a majority of Hamilton County-wide elected seats (8 out of the 11 administrative offices) and over half of the judicial seats are held by women.
• Over 160 women hold public office county-wide.
• We have an unprecedented number of women in local office – mayors, councilmembers, commissioners, trustees  and judges.

The post Women’s History Month: Celebrating local elected women appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By Maya Bere, Communications Specialist

On February 27, Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Greater Cincinnati (HOME) was notified that one of its major fair housing grants was terminated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), effective immediately.  

The Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI) grant is a multi-year grant supporting fair housing counseling, investigation, education and enforcement. HOME is currently in Year 2 of the 3-year grant. The annual grant award is $425,000. This represents approximately 30% of HOME’s annual funding. Across the country, other fair housing groups also received grant termination notices. 

The sudden and immediate termination of the PEI grant will limit HOME’s ability to investigate, request Reasonable Accommodations or Modifications, mediate cases with housing providers and clients, and assist clients with filing fair housing complaints. 

Specifically, HOME is forced to:

• Reduce fair housing counseling impacting roughly 350 clients per year. In the last two years of the grant to date, HOME counseled 612 clients and resolved 160 cases with benefits to clients.  

Last year, HOME assisted a client with avoiding eviction and negotiated a change to their rent payment date to when they receive Social Security Disability Income. The client was forced to pay late fees and was facing an eviction. HOME requested a reasonable accommodation to the property manager and reached a resolution where the client’s eviction was dismissed, they were reimbursed the late fees, and successfully moved the rent payment date to when they receive SSDI payments so they could remain in their home.

• Reduce investigations of illegal housing discrimination in the rental, sales, and lending markets. This includes investigations to ensure accessibility standards are met in housing, as well investigations into mortgage lenders following our recent report findings that people of color still face discrimination and unfair lending practices when applying for a mortgage loan.
• Reduce the number of trainings provided to both consumers and housing providers on fair housing rights and responsibilities. 

“Fair housing and Civil Rights laws are unequivocal. Those laws haven’t changed in the last month,” says Elisabeth Risch, Executive Director. “HOME and other fair housing organizations are the critical frontline defenders, providing counseling and ensuring every individual can access housing free from discrimination. Our investigations show that significant discrimination is still happening in Cincinnati based on race, disability status, family status, and other protected classes. The sudden and immediate termination of this grant is a failure of the federal government to enforce fair housing laws and ensure all people have access to housing.”

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Contributed by Amy Fitzgibbons, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Cincinnati Regional Chamber

At its Annual Dinner last Thursday, the Cincinnati Regional Chamber held its “passing of the gavel” ceremony to welcome its new Board Chair. Per Chamber governance policy, at the end of 2024, former CVG CEO Candace McGraw, now Immediate Past Chair of the Chamber board, completed her two-year tenure as Chair. James Watkins, CEO of Triversity Construction, assumed the role of Chair after serving for the last two years as Vice Chair of the Board. 

“Over the past decade, Jim has made Cincinnati his home. He has lent his passion, expertise and leadership to numerous initiatives in our region, including affordable housing policy, the caps on Fort Washington Way, and economic development—all in support of our vision of building a growing, thriving region where everyone belongs,” said Brendon Cull, President & CEO of the Cincinnati Regional Chamber. “I’m grateful for his service to our organization and looking forward to his contributions as Board Chair.” 

James Watkins serves as Triversity’s President and Chief Executive Officer with more than 30 years’ experience leading all business phases of construction management, general contracting, and its craft force division. Serving as its President for 11 years, Watkins guided Triversity toward all-time high growth and built its new headquarters, a $4 million development, in Walnut Hills.  

Watkins is responsible for leading the company’s day-to-day business operations and executing the company’s annual business plan giving him oversight of profit and loss company wide.  In addition to the Chamber Board, Watkins serves as a board member for ACI (Allied Construction Industries), Spirit of Construction, Truist Community Advisory Board and Cincinnati Housing Advisory Board. Watkins played a major role in several corporate construction management training programs and was an active member of the ACE Mentor program. He has been named “Who’s Who in Detroit” and is a past NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) board member. He is also a graduate of the Cincinnati Chamber’s Leadership Cincinnati, class 37 and an active Vistage member. 

The following individuals also joined as Board Members at the end of 2024: 

• Katrina English, SVP & Chief Administrative Officer, UC Health 
• Holly H. Mazzocca, CFP®, President, Wealth Advisor, Principal, Bartlett 
• Lisa Vannis, Audit & Assurance Partner, Deloitte 
• Andrew E. Worrell, General Counsel and Secretary, Fischer Homes 

To learn more about the Chamber’s Board of Directors, please visit: https://cincinnatichamber.com/board-of-directors/ 

About the Cincinnati Regional Chamber  

The Cincinnati Regional Chamber is the premier business and civic organization dedicated to growing the vibrancy and economic prosperity of the Cincinnati region. To achieve its vision that Cincinnati is a growing, thriving region where everyone belongs, the Chamber seeks to grow our economy, grow our population, and grow our cultural vibrancy – with the foundation of a strong business community – to foster a welcoming environment for all. The Chamber’s membership offerings, signature leadership programs, government and regional advocacy efforts, community events such as BLINK and Oktoberfest as well as key partnerships with organizations like Cincinnati Experience, Cincinnati Compass, Cincinnati Minority Business Accelerator, and the Workforce Innovation Center lead the way in making that vision a reality. For more information, visit www.cincinnatichamber.com. 

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Herald: Byron, after a decade on the Cincinnati City Planning Commission, including five years as chairman, what are your thoughts on the city’s growth during your tenure?

Byron Stallworth: Cincinnati has seen impressive growth, especially in infrastructure, housing, and commercial development. But, I believe there’s still tremendous opportunity for further expansion, particularly within our African American communities. Cincinnati leads urban population in terms of growth in urban core in the state of Ohio.

Herald: Can you highlight a development project that stands out regarding inclusion and community involvement?

Byron Stallworth: Without a doubt, the TQL Stadium in the West End is a prime example. FC Cincinnati did a phenomenal job ensuring significant minority participation, achieving a 76% involvement rate for MBE/WBE/SBE firms in direct contracts and subcontracts. That level of inclusion is rarely seen in large-scale developments.

Herald: What made that project so successful regarding community engagement?

Byron Stallworth: It was the direct result of a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) between FC Cincinnati and the West End Community Council. The Port Authority set economic inclusion goals of 25% MBE, 7% WBE, and 30% SBE, and the Black community played a substantial role in the project. I haven’t seen that kind of community involvement since working on the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center during its development.

Herald: How have you seen diversity evolve in Cincinnati’s construction and business landscape?

Byron Stallworth: There has been a positive shift, especially among companies headquartered here. Organizations like Procter & Gamble, The Kroger Co., Fifth Third Bank, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital have significantly committed to diverse supply chains. That said, there’s still room for improvement, particularly in ensuring Black architects and developers have access to major projects.

Herald: What neighborhoods do you see as hotspots for growth?

Byron Stallworth: Oakley and Madisonville have seen remarkable transformations. Oakley Square has developed into a thriving community. Med Pace Complex at Madison and Red Bank, another.  I’d love to see similar investments along Reading Road, where the expansions of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and the University of Cincinnati are already impacting the city. The planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system from Downtown through Reading Road could drive further development in Bond Hill and Roselawn, which are prime for investment.

Herald: Speaking of housing, what’s your take on Cincinnati’s affordable housing landscape?

Byron Stallworth: The city is working to increase housing density. Former City Managers like Milton Dohoney, Harry Black, Sheryl Long, and Mayors John Cranley and Aftab Pureval have pushed for more affordable housing. But the shortage is still significant—anywhere from 20,000 to 40,000 homes/units are needed.

Herald: What housing trends have you noticed?

Byron Stallworth: The market is shifting. Many buyers and renters prefer homes with low-maintenance designs, so we’re seeing small condo complexes in Madisonville, Oakley and Silverton. However, too many out-of-town investors have neglected their properties, leaving tenants in poor conditions. The Cincinnati Port Authority is working to address this issue by purchasing and renovating properties and educating renters on pathways to homeownership.

Herald: Let’s talk about the Planning Commission itself. What role has diversity played on the board?

Byron Stallworth: Mayor Aftab Pureval has praised the Planning Commission as the most diverse board in the city. Half men, half women. Balance in race and gender. The Commission includes Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney, City Manager Sheryl Long or her appointee, John Eby, Anne Sessler,  Darrick Dansby, new Chairman, Jacob Samad, and Vice Chair Daniella Beltran. There is a strong representation of Black and Hispanic members. Diversity is essential since nearly half of Cincinnati’s population is minority-based.

Herald: You’ve mentioned a lack of Black architects presenting projects before the board. What are your thoughts on that?

Byron Stallworth: In my entire tenure, I only saw one Black architect—David Kirk—bring a project before us as lead designer. That has to change. There are prime opportunities for Black architects and designers in Cincinnati’s development landscape, and we need to ensure they’re included in these projects. Frankly, I think projects need inclusion throughout projects from design to maintenance after construction.

Herald: Looking back, what projects are you most proud of?

Byron Stallworth: There have been several. Some of the most impactful include the development of TQL Stadium; Medpace Campus; DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) at The Banks; infrastructure upgrades in Clifton around the University of Cincinnati; the nationally renowned BLINK Festival; and the city’s Connected Communities legislation.

I’ve also had the privilege of leading or contributing to launching the African American Cultural Resource Center at UC; leading major campaigns with Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, like Adopt-a-Block and Glad-Bag-A-Thon; serving as Director of Government Affairs for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, which had a 42% M/WBE spend; chairing the City of Cincinnati Charter Review Task Force (2015); and serving as Vice Chair of the Green Umbrella Board of Trustees (2015-2023.

Herald: You’ve had an impressive career advocating for inclusion and development. What’s next for you?

Byron Stallworth: As Founder and CEO of Inclusion Building Solutions, I continue pushing for supply chain diversity and business development. My focus is ensuring minority-owned businesses have a seat at the table when shaping Cincinnati’s future.

Herald: One final question—who’s stepping into your shoes on the Planning Commission?

Byron Stallworth: That would be Derrick Dansby. He brings significant experience as a Realtor, construction advocate, and former 3CDC and Price Hill Will staff member. Undoubtedly, he will do a great job continuing the commission’s work.

Herald: Byron, thanks for your time and dedication to making Cincinnati a more inclusive and forward-thinking city.

Byron Stallworth: My pleasure. Cincinnati has incredible potential, and I’m excited to see where it goes next.

The post Byron Stallworth leaves a legacy of growth and inclusion in Cincinnati appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

A business owner and resident of the first Black city north of the Mason-Dixon Line said he feared for his life when he was approached by an armed member of a neo-Nazi group demonstrating on an overpass on February 7 as he was returning to his fire alarm business in the Village of Lincoln Heights, Ohio, near Cincinnati.

The neo-Nazi group of about 10 members armed with assault rifles targeted the African American community during their demonstration, assembling on the overpass and hanging swastika flags and a large banner proclaiming “America for the White Man” from the overpass railings. 

Soon a number of residents from the village of about 3,000 population came down to the overpass.

Vastly outnumbered by residents shouting “no justice, no peace” and demanding their immediate removal, the Nazis quickly gathered up their White supremacist signs, under police protection, and literally ran to a near-by U-Haul and took off.

Eric Ruffin, who is a resident of Lincoln Heights and has an office there for his business, ABEL Building Systems, said he was blocked on the overpass by law enforcement and other vehicles when he tried to drive across it. He heard the neo-Nazi group shouting the “N word” and other obscenities through an amplified megaphone, and was approached by several men dressed in black from head to feet. 

“This seemed so strange. I could not believe what  was happening,” Ruffin said. “I turned my music up louder than their bullhorn as I tried to get into my music, so I would not be able to hear them and keep my head cool. I did not look at them even as they were standing outside my truck window and calling me the ’N word.’ I was concerned that they would pull me out of my truck. I was ignoring a fool, and the fool got mad. But when I pulled out my pistol, they walked away. A police officer from a neighboring community then walked up and told me to turn my radio down, and eventually I was able to pass on. This was sort of a reverse stand-your-ground situation.”

He commented that while he was stranded on the overpass it seemed like a day had passed, although he was there for only a few minutes. 

“I feared for my life,” he commented.

Ruffin and other residents in the community said the Neo-Nazi group did not belong there, and they have criticized law enforcement officials for not taking immediate action to remove them and de-escalate the confrontations. Ruffin said the officers seemed only interested in protecting the Neo-Nazis.

A day later, the Lincoln Heights residents staged a “rolling” protest of how the situation was handled by law enforcement, as they drove through surrounding communities.

Also, several members of the village’s Safety and Watch patrol, carrying assault rifles and dressed in heavy clothing and wearing face coverings due to the frigid weather, patrolled the community questioning strangers who were driving through. 

Lincoln Heights is the home of internationally recognized poet Nikki Giovanna, who died earlier this year, as well as a number of Cincinnati area leaders and professionals.

Condemnations of this White supremacist provocation were also quickly issued by the Mayor of Cincinnati, the Cincinnati NAACP, the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio, the Ohio Chapter of the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati. 

The following day, the administration of Lincoln Heights issued a statement: “Racism is ugly, and it was on display yesterday. This kind of activity has no place in Lincoln Heights or anywhere else. We are proud of the restraint our community showed in response to this demonstration.”

For Mayor Ruby Mumphrey Kinsey, born and raised in Lincoln Heights, it was devastating. “My heart dropped. My life will never be the same. It’s as if the devil knocked on our door,” she said. At the time, she was at work in Northern Kentucky—the only senior manager on duty, calling her boss and trying to find someone to cover her office so she could leave. As she waited, she remained in constant contact with a fellow council member, neighbors and family. 

Ruffin mentioned his father was raised near Philadelphia, Mississippi, and his father taught him not to hate, although he lived there during the Jim Crow era and the Civil Rights Movement, as well as the murder of four young Freedom Riders in Philadelphia, Mississippi.  

Not one of the police officers investigated the situation, according to reports.

Community residents, however, have not remained silent. Two days following the Nazi demonstration, area residents returned to the site of the crime and posted banners proclaiming “Love Wins.” One sign read, “My father fought the Nazis and So Will I.” On Sunday, February 9, more than 300 area residents marched to the overpass, filling the street and stopping traffic, to voice their moral outrage against the violation of human dignity there two days earlier. A community meeting on the following Monday at the Lincoln Heights Municipal Center drew hundreds of concerned residents who demanded to know, among other things, why the Nazis were not identified by the police, let alone not arrested. That evening’s regularly scheduled City Council meeting continued to hear speakers denounce the Nazis and commend the Lincoln Heights community for driving them out. 

A similar Nazi demonstration in Columbus, Ohio, right after the November 5, 2024, election resulted in the same revealing and incriminating silence from law enforcement. 

Hamilton County, Ohio Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey met with residents after the Feb. 7 Nazi demonstration to hear residents voice their concerns about law enforcement showing more concern for protecting the Nazis than for the residents whom they are hired to serve. Sheriff McGuffey promised an investigation.

“I am so proud of my community,’’ Ruffin said. “We are so small and so Black, but don’t come over here playing, for you can find trouble as well as love.”

The post ‘I feared for my life,’ Black community member said of neo-Nazi group appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio (ULGSO) announces the 31st class of the Legendary Lions Society, honoring seven exceptional leaders whose contributions have left a significant impact on the Greater Cincinnati region and beyond. These individuals have demonstrated extraordinary dedication, commitment, and service to others. 

“This year’s honorees are truly remarkable,” said Christie Kuhns, President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio. “They embody the very best of our community, hailing from diverse industries and backgrounds. Each of them has made valuable contributions to our region, and in some cases the world, in unique and impactful ways. We are thrilled to recognize these incredible individuals.” 

The 2025 Honorees are Patricia A. Bready, Alva Jean Crawford, Dr. Alvin Crawford, Howard D. Elliott, Edna G. Keown, Jack Rouse and Steve Shifman. 

The Lions will be honored at the 31st Annual Glorifying the Lions Luncheon Ceremony on Wednesday April 9, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Cintas Center. Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.ulgso.org/lions. 

In addition to the luncheon, WLWT Channel 5 will air the 2025 Glorifying the Lions broadcast on April 11 at 7:30 p.m. to further showcase and celebrate these outstanding individuals. The broadcast will also be available on the ULGSO YouTube channel. 

More about the 2025 Lions: (Full bios available at ulsgo.org/Lions) 

Patricia A. Bready spent 30 years with Cincinnati Bell culminating in the role of Director of Southwest Ohio Government Relations. Upon retiring, Bready founded Quest Management Consulting, bringing her expertise to corporate, government and nonprofit organizations. Bready is widely recognized for her ability to support, coach, and inspire others. She generously donates her time and talents as a board member of several organizations, but she is best known for her current role as the facilitator of AALDP, the Urban League’s Premier Leadership Development program where she has coached and inspired hundreds of leaders to reach their full potential. 

Dr. Alvin H. Crawford is a world-renowned Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon. His academic research approach to the study and treatment of complex pediatric bone conditions of the spine is considered state of the art and taught across the United States and globally. Under Dr. Crawford’s leadership Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center established its Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery where Crawford served as director for 29 years. In 2019, Crawford established Black Men in Medicine Cincinnati to mentor undergraduate medical students of color. In 2023 he released his autobiography, Bone Doctor’s Concerto: Music, Surgery, and the Pieces in Between. 

Alva Jean Crawford spent 32 years as a dedicated and impactful mathematics teacher and school counselor. Her passion for music and the arts led her to volunteer for numerous arts organizations. She was the co-chair of the Cincinnati Opera’s 80th Anniversary Gala and has served on the boards of the Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and the Music Hall Revitalization Company. In addition to the arts, Mrs. Crawford has generously volunteered with several organizations as a mentor and tutor and participated on several community boards.     

Howard D. Elliott is a well-respected corporate leader known for his expertise and passion for Supplier Diversity. Elliott enjoyed a 32-year career with Procter & Gamble. Under his leadership, Procter & Gamble spent over $4 billion with minority owned businesses. He has continued to be a champion of women and minority businesses, establishing the Elliott Management Group specializing in supplier diversity and economic inclusion consulting. This led to the creation of the South Central Ohio Healthcare Supplier Diversity Consortium which generated an increased spend of $100 million per year with minority and women owned suppliers. He currently leads WEB Ventures, a management consulting company focused on economic inclusion on large, commercial development projects. 

Edna G. Keown is known as Cincinnati’s full-time community advocate extraordinaire. At the conclusion of a successful career in human resources and consulting, Mrs. Keown dedicated herself to excellence in volunteering. She is currently spending her time and talents with the following organizations: Cincinnati Parks Foundation Board, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Board, Montgomery Community Church and the Woman’s City Club. She is a member of the Cincinnati Chapter of The Links, Inc., and has volunteered in various capacities with the Greater Cincinnati Foundation including as a member of the Black Giving Circle. She is a former board member of the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio. 

Jack Rouse has spent his life making sure everyone has a great time. As a professor at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music (CCM), Mr. Rouse established the nation’s first musical theatre program. Transitioning from academia, Rouse joined Taft Broadcasting Company during the early development of Kings Island which eventually led to the Kings Entertainment Company. He moved on to create Jack Rouse Associates (JRA) which became one of the most recognized global names in experiential design. A lifelong advocate for creating comprehensive audience experiences, Rouse continues to apply his professional expertise and passion to foster a more vibrant, inclusive, and relevant arts and culture community in Cincinnati. 

Steve Shifman currently serves as Executive Chair of Michelman, a large privately held global technology and manufacturing company headquartered in Cincinnati. Mr. Shifman has been an active member of many organizations including the United Way of Greater Cincinnati where he served as Chairman of the Board, Board Chair for Teach for America in Southwest Ohio, co-chair of the Cincinnati Regional Business Committee and board member of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati. Currently Shifman is a member of the Board of the Minority Business Accelerator and a Trustee of the Washington Institute. He also serves on various for-profit boards and as a coach and mentor for CEOs of purpose-driven, generational enterprises. 

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Contributed

University of Cincinnati President Neville G. Pinto released the following letter to media, staff and students, following the future of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs that also apply to universities and other educational institutions that accept federal funding:

Dear UC Community,

I write to you today to share some challenging truths about the future of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at the University of Cincinnati. As you are no doubt aware, the federal government has effectively outlawed DEI programs and practices within government entities, including public universities nationwide.

If you haven’t already, please take the time to read President Trump’s Executive Order 14173 from January 21 as well as the February 14 “Dear Colleague” letter from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights (OCR), which calls for the elimination of DEI in higher education.

Taken together, these federal actions are sweeping in their scope, categorical in their conclusions and pressing in their timing. The OCR letter specifically states that we must comply with these new rules by February 28, after which OCR will begin holding noncompliant universities accountable.

In response to these mandates, Provost Kristi Nelson and I spent this week informing our deans and vice presidents of the initial steps we must take to ensure compliance. We also met with Faculty Senate Cabinet to inform them of the implications of these developments. Our message to them — and to you — is this: Given the extent to which our university, like most educational institutions, relies on federal funding to deliver and sustain our core mission, it is untenable to operate as if noncompliance with these directives is an effective option. In addition, Ohio’s 136th General Assembly is in the process of fast-tracking Senate Bill 1, which, in its current form, reinforces federal DEI prohibitions.

Given this new landscape, Ohio public and federally supported institutions like ours have little choice but to follow the laws that govern us. Meanwhile, we will continue to work through our state and federal Government Relations channels to encourage legislators to support policies that honor the mission of public higher education, which is so essential for the development of citizens for our democracy.

What does all of this mean for UC as of today?

Our leaders have begun evaluating jobs and duties related to DEI and examining our DEI programming, initiatives and projects to bring all areas into compliance. In addition, we have begun removing references to DEI principles across university websites, social media and collateral materials. This will be a heavy lift, and I am thankful for our university leaders and their teams who grasp what is at stake in this moment. We must approach this process with the thoughtfulness and thoroughness that such complex comprehensive endeavors entail, while always keeping the well-being of the people most affected at the heart of our efforts.

I recognize that these decisions are weighty, and these actions are a departure from decades of established practice within academic communities. I also continue to ask for your patience and understanding as we do the hard work that will be required to unwind many years of DEI efforts under an extremely compressed timeline.

We are committed to meet both our compliance obligations and our mission to provide a supportive learning and working environment where all are welcome, safe and free to be successful. Indeed, there remain many unanswered questions, and we are working diligently to arrive at answers. As we move forward, we will share updates as information becomes available.

Sincerely,
Neville G Pinto

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The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center recently elected a new chair and added a new member to its Board of Directors. Robert W. McDonald began a two-year term as board chair on January 1, 2025.

McDonald is a partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP where he chairs the firm’s Cincinnati business practice group and has garnered a reputation as a leading advisor in venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings and sports law. In addition to the Freedom Center, he serves on the boards of Interlex Group, the League of American Orchestras, InnovateOhio, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (Immediate Past Chair) and Main Street Ventures. He joined the Freedom Center Board of Directors in November 2023 and immediately assumed the role of chair of the governance committee.

Dawn Gilmore, a member of the Freedom Center’s Board of Directors and its philanthropy committee since 2022, was elected vice chair. Gilmore, HR Leader of Merchandising, Our Brands and eCommerce at the Kroger Company, will continue to lend her 25 years of organizational and talent development experience to the board. In her 16 years with Kroger, she has held various roles in talent acquisition and performance development.

Michael L. Cioffi, partner at Blank Rome and chair of its Cincinnati office, joins the Freedom Center’s board. Cioffi is experienced in the overall management and practice of complex commercial tort and environmental litigation, including tort contract and trade disputes and representing clients against lawsuits brought by the government related to a variety of state and federal environmental programs. He has served as Assistant Attorney General for the State of Ohio. In addition to the Freedom Center, he has served as a member of various local boards, including the Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the University of Cincinnati College of Law. He’s a supporter of several civic and charitable organizations, including YWCA Career Women of Achievement, Tender Mercies, Inc., Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati Art Museum, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, American Cancer Society and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

Kenneth B. Robinson, the Freedom Center’s outgoing chair, served two terms as board chair between 2021 and 2024. Under Robinson’s board leadership, the Freedom Center navigated the COVID pandemic and the organization’s transition to a post-COVID model. A major focus of his board leadership was the upcoming comprehensive exhibit remake strategy and campaign planning while also strengthening organizational capacity to launch new DEIB training initiatives, new programming models, collections expansion and more. Robinson was a founding member of the Board of Directors in 2000. He will remain on the board as immediate past chair.

The Freedom Center’s full Board of Directors roster can be found at freedomcenter.org/about/board-of-directors.

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The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners has announced the appointments of three distinguished local veterans to the Hamilton County Veterans Service Commission (VSC), a move that reinforces the board’s commitment to enhancing services to local veterans. Commissioners made the three appointments after approving an increased budget that doubled the funding for the VSC.

The VSC offers a broad spectrum of services, including emergency financial assistance, transportation and expert guidance on VA claims and benefits, all aimed at improving the quality of life for veterans. The budget requested by the VSC and approved by Commissioners went from $1.4 million in 2024 to $2.8 million in 2025. This year’s budget also includes funding to support the second annual Veterans Appreciation Day at the Great American Ballpark.

The newly appointed members, all honorably discharged veterans and residents of Hamilton County, are: 

• Victoria Parks, former Hamilton County Commissioner, current City of Cincinnati Councilmember and U.S. Air Force veteran.
• Bill Burwinkel, U.S. Army and Vietnam veteran, founder and board chair of National Marketshare Group Inc. and long-time Price Hill advocate 
• Lincoln Ware, Marine Corps and Vietnam veteran, and local radio talk show host

These appointments are for five-year terms. The Commissioners adopted the resolution during their Jan. 9 meeting.

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