On a cold January afternoon, I took a short walk to Emily Palmer Wolff’s studio in the heart of Mainstrasse, Kentucky; it only took me about a song and a half in my headphones to get there from my own home. On my walk, I passed a tall brick building undergoing a makeover; my favorite neighborhood bar, Larry’s; and the side of a building with a mural that reads “Love Y’all” – all everyday details Emily Wolff has touched in Covington.
Read MoreCincinnati is full of so-called local celebrities; they grace nightly newscasts and are shown in The Enquirer on a regular basis. Founder and CEO of RaJean Beauty, Megan Seard, just might be considered one – after all, she estimates her products are in more than 1,500 tri-state homes! However, when taking into account the way one feels after using her shower scrubs and shea butters, the title “local goddess” might be more appropriate.
With a passion for self-care, a relentless customer-first mentality, and a hell of a lot of determination, Megan has been to nearly every corner of Cincinnati and Indiana – with her famous backpack full of products in tow. RaJean Beauty has gone from kitchen table concoctions to a beauty empire that brings out decadent skin with a cult-like following. We sat down with Megan at her favorite partnering location, Aladdin’s, to discuss what’s important to her in these unprecedented times.
Read MoreAs a life-long writer, Kristyn has always had a knack for storytelling. Her writing background eventually led her to Women of Cincy, where she has been a writer for nearly four years. Since joining the team, Kristyn has used her aptitude for writing to help others share their stories and speak their truth. She has also used her editing skills to become the founder and entrepreneur of Krystal Clear Editing LLC.
Read MoreAt the end of every interview, we ask our interviewees about influential women in their lives, and each Mother’s Day, we compile the times our interviewees mentioned their mothers in their answers. Across all these interviews, one thread is evident: to be a mother is to persevere, constantly.
Read MoreApril is National Sexual Violence Prevention Month/Sexual Assault Awareness Month, so it’s fitting that our featured ally is Jamie Sivrais, founder of A Voice for the Innocent (A.V.F.I.). A.V.F.I. is a nonprofit community dedicated to supporting those affected by rape and sexual abuse by offering a safe, compassionate space to share stories and seek help. We sat down with Jamie at the A.V.F.I. office in Covington to talk storytelling, surviving abuse, and breaking down our society’s idea of masculinity.
Read MoreAfter a month of heavy snowfall and dreary winter clouds, the sun was finally peering through my window again as I sat at my desk, ready to meet Courtney Lawrence for the first time. It was such serendipitous timing because Courtney's warmth and vibrant spirit transcended the screen as we talked.
Read MoreMonika Royal-Fischer built her career by helping others achieve success. She understands that sometimes, you just need a little help to get started. For Monika, building strong networks led to career opportunities that allow her to serve her communities and make an impact. She is the founder of the Career Closet at the University of Cincinnati’s Clermont campus. Career Closet is a non-profit that provides students with interview-ready clothing and is the new campus director for Tech Elevator here in Cincinnati.
Read MoreAt Women of Cincy, our feature articles are in the Q&A format because we want our interviewees to speak to our audience in their own words. However, as journalists and editors, sometimes things get cut for time or clarity. Editors live and die by time and clarity, and editing for these principles is a daily practice in all newsrooms, including ours.
Read MoreEsther Maria Claros Berlioz, Ph.D., is an integral part of the Latinx community in Cincinnati, welcoming and supporting the immigrant community – especially the children, who she lovingly dotes on. In her work with these children, art has become a communal language, with color and scenes representing unique journeys that are understood through shared humanity, history, and dreams.
Read MoreAt Women of Cincy, we believe that when you uplift women, you uplift everyone. After a hellish 12 months, we think that all of us could use a little uplifting – especially those who own or lead small businesses and nonprofits. In our experience, if you build it – the community will come. So let’s get to work.
Read MoreFor Quinn McIlhargey-Nicholson, a simple scrap of forgotten leather tells a story – it has a hidden history, a character that’s only enhanced with time and wear. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Quinn, owner and founder of Baqette. Her handcrafted bags are making a name throughout the city, and each bag – made from recycled leather – has its story to tell. Quinn’s own story is about taking a leap and trusting yourself to find the way.
Read MoreOkay, y’all. Now that we have rounded the corner into 2021, let’s talk about things we need to keep and things we need to let go of this year!
Read MoreWith stacks of art supplies, colorful paintings, and children’s drawings decorating the room, the West End Art Gallery’s bright space is reminiscent of the best kind of art classroom. Tia and Michael Brown started the nonprofit art center as a place for the community to find a positive form of expression. The “WE Gallery,” as Tia calls it, began as pop-up workshops in neighborhood buildings. It’s turned into a labor of love for the Browns, with a dedicated space, mobile mural-painting events, two hyper-local coloring books, and art-supply grab bags as COVID-19 restricted in-person workshops.
Read MoreRubina Dosani’s North Star is her Islamic faith, which guides her to help others whenever she can. In following her passion, she has helped people in Cincinnati, throughout the country, and even around the world. She helped establish the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati (I.C.G.C.) and was the first leader of the center’s mental health program, normalizing discussions about mental health and developing resources for the community.
Read MoreWhile most of us are content living what we jokingly call “our best lives,” Dr. Zaria Davis is dedicated to not only achieving the best version of her life, but striving to create opportunities for others to thrive, too. As a formerly incarcerated person, Dr. Davis has worked diligently to overcome the odds against her and right her wrongs, while helping others find a path to success through her nonprofit, Filling the Gap. We sat down with her via Zoom to discuss dehumanizing language, the effect of COVID-19 on incarcerated people, and what gives her hope.
Read MoreBlackness should be celebrated year-round, not just in February. However, this month brings the chance for people to intentionally reflect and learn more about the long, and often hidden, history of Black people in our country. High school history classes around the country are profoundly guilty of omitting Black history in their curriculum, and 28 days is certainly not enough time to dismantle a long cycle of educational exclusion. We’ve curated a list of books specifically detailing the history of Black people in Cincinnati by local historians, scholars, and writers as one way to help fill this gap.
Read MoreWhen you enter the Covington Farmers Market, you’re greeted with a warm hello and a spritz of hand sanitizer. People browse the stalls with masks and gloves – always making sure to follow the arrows on the ground. At 11 a.m., market volunteers shout over a megaphone for vendors to pause what they’re doing and sanitize their tables. These are just some of the new changes Covington Farmers Market has adopted to keep up with the new normal of COVID-19.
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