Nothing brings me warmth like an artist passionate about the world. For every person trying to find themselves, there is someone dedicated to the person they have already found. When stepping into the home and art studio of Rebecca Nava, I knew I was in the presence of a woman dedicated to all that she is and will be.
Read MoreThe name “Rosie” just insists on optimism, and Rosie Kovacs was aptly named, for sure. She embodies entrepreneurial determination and a pure force of will to create opportunities and get things done. The C.E.O. of Sew Valley co-founded the nonprofit company in 2017, alongside C.O.O. Shailah Maynard, with the goal of bringing resources to apparel designers and entrepreneurs. The journey, of course, was anything but predictable. She shared with us the ups and downs of stepping away from her and life partner, Hayes’, venture, Brush Factory; the good, the bad, and the ugly that is the fashion industry; and more.
Read MoreThe Cincinnati Art Museum champions the work of female artists – whether they’re well-known or they slipped through the historical cracks. For more than 100 years the Cincinnati Art Museum has been bringing in groundbreaking work created by women, and the tally for female artists they represent has only grown since Dr. Ainsley M. Cameron, curator of South Asian Art, Islamic Art, and Antiquities, joined the team.
Read MoreAs a Women of Cincy resident, I got to choose and interview a team member about their life and work. As I sifted through profiles on our Meet the Team page, Gina immediately stood out with a history major at Xavier. I, too, am a history major at Xavier and am constantly seeking inspiration for what to do once I graduate in May. Gina is the sales director for Women of Cincy as well as a developer and fundraiser for the Corporation for Findlay Market. We met on a sunny day in Washington Park, and Gina’s bubbly, cheery, and hilarious personality made for lots of fun and laughter as the day waned and music and people built into the lively atmosphere.
Read MoreMy favorite people are those who tell it like it is, and Khisha Asubuhi is no exception. At 5’11’’, she’s fierce inside and out, but she’s as real as it gets, and you find yourself instantly at home chatting with her. We sat down with the owner of Originalitees just a few weeks after the company celebrated 10 years in business to chat about Khisha’s journey of entrepreneurship, dreams for the future, and being more than “just a T-shirt shop.”
Read MoreWe weren’t sure what to expect when applying for press passes for the Cincinnati Comic Expo, but what we found was much more than meets the eye. Comic Expo is an environment full of feminism, body positivity, creativity, and immediate acceptance of others. The Duke Energy Center was filled with talented artists, authors, and actors. We watched adults turn into little kids again, discovering their heroes, acting out their fantasies, and embracing fandoms. We quickly realized there was so much more to learn about comic books and pop culture, so in true Women of Cincy fashion, we started walking up to people and asking questions.
Read MoreNeon lights. Bright stripes. Smashed fine china. Every detail of Homemaker’s Bar draws you in and tells a story. We sat down with co-owners Catherine Manabat and Julia Petiprin approximately one month after the bar’s opening to chat about what it’s like to be a woman in the hospitality industry, the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, and how two L.A. ladies ended up falling in love with Cincinnati.
Read MoreCole Imperi is also a varied tapestry: She writes and hosts podcasts and runs two small businesses; she’s a teacher; and she’s trained in both yoga and typeface design. She is, first and foremost, a thanatologist – a person who studies death and dying. Her passions come together and coalesce in her work here in the Cincinnati area, through her work at the Lloyd Library and Museum as a research fellow, and more. At the vineyards, Cole and I talked about life, death, grieving, and growing.
Read MoreWalking into the pottery studio where Tanya Leach often seeks refuge, turning lumps of clay into works of art, was like stepping into an alternate reality. The studio, a historic home in the heart of Covington, is filled with painted tiles and stacked shelves of tools, mixing bowls, and artwork, all covered in the fingerprints of a tight-knit community of women. Tanya, accompanied by her sister Tiffany and studio owner Jane, describes the environment as a place where women can show up and express their support and creativity freely with each other – all over good beer and even better conversation.
Read MorePeople from all over the world gathered in Cincinnati’s historic Over-the-Rhine August 29-31 for the second annual Cindependent Film Festival.
Read MorePreparing to interview Dani Clark was a little stressful for me – I’d been told she’s an exceptionally good interviewer. I wondered how the role-switching would feel for us, but I needn’t have been worried. Her relaxed demeanor and the care with which she responded to each question left me in awe. I was impressed by how thoughtful and purposeful she is. Curious to the core, she couldn’t stop herself from asking our photographer, Katie, and I what our responses would have been to my questions.
Read MoreWith summer energy pulsing, Cincinnati is more than just a heatwave. The possibility of good moments seems to be swelling, just as my heart did when I heard about Michele Burroughs. A long word-of-mouth grapevine of coworkers, mothers with a hunger for caffeine, and my frequent eavesdropping paid off in the best way. After learning about Michele’s journey establishing a Pleasant Ridge caffeine gem a few months ago, I knew I wanted to make time to hear her story.
Read More“Do you see this? It says, ‘Breathe.’ That’s my mantra.”
Tamara Harkavy leaned in to show me her gold necklace. Though I see her almost every day in my role as ArtWorks’ executive assistant and office manager, I’d never noticed it. The message is fitting. Nearly 24 years ago, Harkavy founded ArtWorks, the nonprofit responsible for over 12,000 projects that have turned the greater Cincinnati area into an art gallery. Not to mention the businesses which have become staples to our city who went through business development training through ArtWorks, like Brown Bear Bakery, Handzy, and S.R.O. Prints. She’s also a star player on the creative team organizing BLINK. It’s a hefty load.
Read MoreFor those of us born with a fascination with fashion, the shirts on our backs are about more than function. What we choose to wear can be a source of confidence, a way to tell someone passing by a little bit about who we are – even what we stand for. And on a rainy summer evening, I scurried down Vine Street with my deteriorating cat-ear umbrella to meet Cincinnati’s rising style icon and nationally recognized designer, Tessa Clark.
Read MoreWriting for Women of Cincy has given me the opportunity to meet and share stories with influencers and change-makers throughout Cincinnati. I usually walk away from my interviews feeling inspired, but Kick Lee is quite possibly the coolest person I never knew I needed to meet. He’s created a career and a lifestyle based around helping others achieve their dreams. As the founder of the Cincinnati Music Accelerator, he’s helping local musicians realize their worth as artists and discover how to take control of their own careers.
Read MoreMy favorite part about moving to a new city is discovering the gems that stud the marketplace. I find so much joy in gawking over the perfectly curated shops, chock full of local, handmade goods, and the community of makers and doers that surround them. Cincinnati continues to reveal hidden treasures, and I’ve only brushed the surface. To me, there’s nothing better than being someplace full of people dedicated to pumping life back into their city.
Read MoreOn Saturday, July 20, German synth-pop, punk rock of England, and New York's new wave converged within these hallowed walls nestled on the Kentucky border. Southgate House subjected Newport to the sound of women's rage and freedom with Noir: A Celebration of Female Artists.
Read MoreLast time we talked to Suzy Strachan, she and business partner and friend, Brittney Braemer, told us about themselves, their origin story, and their hopes for moving Handzy into a new space. Fast-forward to late 2018, Suzy shared with us the details of their move and the bliss of living in Covington.
Read More“I’ve never actually wanted to leave my community. Well… Let me take that back. I don’t know if I wanted to leave, but I would have left if there was no change. I knew as I got older and started to raise my family that what was going on in my community was not good for my children. I was trying to protect them from what I grew up with: the hustle and bustle. The crime. The drugs. The violence part of it.”
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