An Inclusive Cincinnati

With its working-class, abolitionist, artistic roots, Cincinnati was, at one time, a Midwest center-place for forward-thinking America. Unfortunately, due to a combination of gerrymandering, suburban sprawl, and an uptick in social conservatism in the 1950s-2000s, many marginalized residents have felt, for a long time, as if their city was unrepresentative of them… as if Cincinnati was a place for those who already had power.

With our renewed growth, we have an opportunity to reshape this notion of Cincinnati; to fulfill a more vibrant vision of our city as a Midwest bastion of hope, opportunity, sustainability, inclusivity, cultural richness, and quality of life. To make sure every resident has access to what this region has to offer.

What We’ve Done:

We have committed to steadfast prioritization of the most vulnerable Cincinnatians by legally protecting, providing visibility, and connecting them to the resources they need. 

Highlights:

  • Updated the discrimination section of Cincinnati's Municipal Code to be more inclusive – expanding the definitions of those receiving protection from discrimination enacted by employers, housing providers, and religious institutions.

  • Championed legislation barring businesses and housing institutions from discriminating based on sexual and reproductive health decisions.

  • Led the effort to raise the transgender pride flag at City Hall to recognize Transgender Day of Visibility – an important gesture in a time of rampant hateful, divisive rhetoric from the Ohio State Legislature regarding Queer gender expression.

  • Spearheaded Cincinnati's response to the 2022 Monkeypox outbreak, coordinating with Hamilton County officials, community leaders, LGBTQIA+ organizations, and healthcare leaders to create a local awareness campaign and a proficient vaccine response.

  • Supported an update to the Green Cincinnati Plan that integrated concepts of climate equity and environmental and racial justice as fundamental organizing principles for our sustainability efforts.

  • Coordinated and authorized donations from the Cincinnati business community to maintain the Pride crosswalks on Vine St.

  • Established, funded, coordinated, and hosted the City of Cincinnati's first-ever Pride Block Party, a public celebration of queer joy in Cincinnati, right outside City Hall.

  • Authored legislation recognizing the legacy and importance of Black Gay Pride and moderated a companion town hall on Black health for "Black Together Again" Black Gay Pride.

Work to do:

In addition to pursuing all avenues of legal protection for marginalized communities in Cincinnati, we must continue to create, structure, and fund programs that uplift residents and help them build social capital.

Moving forward, my office is focused on:

  • Bridging the gap between minority contractors and our local labor unions.

  • Zoning reform that boosts neighborhood business districts and strengthens connections between them.

  • Supporting research by our Human Resource Department into leveraging municipal engagement to improve the financial stability of households (supported by a Cities for Economic Empowerment grant).

  • Exploring a Universal Basic Income Pilot in Cincinnati.

  • Seeing the Black Developers Conference finally come to fruition! In 2022, I spearheaded the creation of, and sponsored the financing of, a Black Developers Conference – in coordination with the Port Authority, affordable housing developers, Cincinnati Development Fund, and other partners – to provide resources and knowledge to minority developers, uplift local developers, and attract talent. In 2023, I am excited to see our work come to fruition when the event happens.