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 .

By Beth Sullebarger, President,, Woman’s City Club

At the time of burgeoning use of data, technology and AI, Woman’s City Club of Greater Cincinnati is pleased to present mathematician and data scientist Cathy O’Neil, who has been called a whistleblower when it comes to the world of big data and its uses.

This timely event will take place Friday, April 11, at 7 p.m. at Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., downtown Cincinnati.   Tickets for the event are $50 for individuals; VIP tickets for the lecture and a reception with the speaker start at $150. They may be purchased online or by calling (513)977- 8838.

O’Neil’s acclaimed book, “Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy,” argues that we are living in age of the algorithm where the decisions that affect our lives — where we go to school, whether we can get or keep a job or get a loan or go to jail, how much we pay for health insurance — are increasingly being made not by humans, but by computers.

But as O’Neil reveals, the mathematical models being used today, ostensibly fairer, are unregulated and uncontestable, even when they’re wrong. Most troubling, they reinforce discrimination — propping up the lucky, punishing the downtrodden and undermining our democracy in the process.  She advocates for careful design and ethical considerations to ensure that algorithms incorporate transparency, accountability and social justice.

Woman’s City Club was founded in 1915 by Cincinnati women who sought to inform themselves and others about civic issues in anticipation of their winning the right to vote. The club’s mission is to educate, empower and engage people to be responsible citizens who take an active part in our democracy.

The Boston Globe described her book as “an urgent critique of . . . the rampant misuse of math in nearly every aspect of our lives.”

O’Neil is a thought leader who explores the realities and dangers of social networking, the consequences of algorithm design, and the defense of human dignity in the context of exploitative capitalism. She earned a PhD in mathematics from Harvard and taught at Barnard College before moving to the private sector, where she worked for the hedge fund, D. E. Shaw & Co.

She then worked as a data scientist at various start-ups, building models that predict people’s purchases and clicks. She launched the Lede Program in Data Journalism at Columbia University, and founded ORCAA, a consultancy providing algorithmic auditing services focused on safety, fairness and principled use of data.

The post Big data expert Cathy O’Neil to speak at Woman’s City Club event appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By Thomas Beridon

Tiana Johnson has been appointed to the position of Chief Probation Officer for the Court of Common Pleas. Johnson is the first African American in history to serve in this position. The historic appointment reflects the Common Pleas Court’s commitment to diverse, transformative leadership and impactful service to the community.

For Johnson, she knows the role and profound responsibility of such a position. “To be appointed as Chief Probation Officer, and the first African American to serve as such, is humbling and inspiring. It represents not only a professional achievement, but a historic step forward, and it is my hope that as young people consider career choices, they see the limitless possibilities for future leaders from underrepresented backgrounds in all parts of our judicial system. I am committed to serving with integrity and honoring the trust Presiding Judge Wende Cross, and all the Common Pleas Judges have placed in me. We have an amazing probation department, and will continue to build upon our department’s foundation of evidence-based practices and cognitive-behavioral interventions, ensuring our work aligns with best practices and the shared goal of reducing recidivism and promoting long-term positive behavior change.”

A Journey of Service and Dedication

Johnson began her career in 2006 as a General Division Court of Common Pleas Adult Probation Officer, working in various units, including neighborhood Community Substations and the Presentence Investigation unit. In 2013, Tiana Johnson was promoted to Probation Officer Supervisor in Municipal Court, her first major leadership role in the department. In January 2022, Johnson was appointed to Assistant Chief Probation Officer for the Court of Common Pleas. Her implementation of evidence-based interventions to modify offender behavior, reduce recidivism, enhance community safety, and prioritize protection of victims’ rights, helped to shape the probation department’s current operations.

In May 2024, Johnson was appointed Interim Chief Probation Officer for the Court of Common Pleas Adult Probation Department. Now with her appointment as Chief Probation Officer, the highest step in a long and impactful career, Tiana Johnson officially is the first African American to hold this impactful position.

“With almost 20 years of experience, Tiana has been a steadfast advocate for rehabilitation, public safety, and community engagement. Her leadership and dedication have played a pivotal role in shaping evidence-based practices and fostering equitable outcomes for those under probation supervision. Tiana will also be instrumental in shaping the future of our probation services, fostering innovation, equity, and excellence” said Judge Wende C. Cross, the Administrative Judge of the Common Pleas Court, General Division.

An Inspiring Leader for the Future

As Chief of Probation, Tiana will oversee critical initiatives aimed at strengthening community partnerships, improving rehabilitation programs, and ensuring justice is served with fairness and integrity. Tiana’s journey from General Probation Officer to Chief Probation Officer exemplifies what can be achieved through discipline, perseverance, hard work, and a deep commitment to public service.

This historic appointment signals an exciting new chapter for the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas Adult Probation Department and the criminal justice system as a whole. With Tiana Johnson at the helm, the department is well-positioned to continue leading the way in effective and impactful rehabilitation programs and probation supervision, Cross said.

The post Hamilton County appoints 1st African American chief probation officer 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 .

By Kira Obolsky, Fishman Public Relations 

      The Little Gym, an internationally recognized child development program that promises to provide kids with serious fun and endless socialization, opened Nov. 9.

  The owners of a new The Little Gym, the world’s premier enrichment and physical development center for children ages four months through 12 years, will serve the local Cincinnati area in playing a crucial role in the development of thousands of local children.

      Tom and April Payne are opening their first The Little Gym in Cincinnati after 24 years in the corporate world. With their children now in high school, they saw an opportunity to focus on a sports demographic, addressing a significant need in the community.

  Saying they are passionate about fostering personal connections with families, they view The Little Gym as a way to give back and make a meaningful impact, with aspirations to expand further throughout Ohio.

  “Our goal with The Little Gym is to create a welcoming space where kids can express themselves, learn gymnastics and thrive,” said Tom. “We also want to provide a supportive environment for parents, fostering relationships with the whole family. Together, we aim to build a strong community around our The Little Gym, where everyone feels connected and valued.”

      The Little Gym of Cincinnati’s programs are designed to be a springboard for life’s adventures. Classes use movement-based learning and imaginative play to enhance coordination, listening and intellectual skills. Popular options include parent/child classes, which allow parents to help their child explore motor and social-skill development, and preschool and grade school gymnastics classes that teach students tumbling and apparatus techniques while using positive motivation as a learning tool. The Little Gym of Cincinnati also offers Awesome Birthday Bashes that feature instructor-led games and music.

  With nearly 400 locations across 31 countries, The Little Gym teaches kids social and physical skills appropriate to each stage of childhood by creating opportunities to experience achievement and build self-confidence. Through a proprietary philosophy called three-dimensional learning, programs foster growth in three holistic dimensions including physical, cognitive, and social and emotional learning. The core teaching methods create opportunities for children to experience achievement and build self-confidence.

  The Cincinnati gym will be open Monday through Saturday for classes and Saturdays and Sundays for birthday parties. The Paynes can be reached at 513-644-5676 or https://www.thelittlegym.com/ohio-cincinnati-hydepark/.

To learn more about The Little Gym, visit https://www.thelittlegym.com.

The post Cincinnati, get ready to tumble  appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .