Aiesha Little: Making Space for Whimsy
Aiesha Little: Making Space for Whimsy

Aiesha Little is a professional writer and editor, the founder of the Midwest Black Speculative Fiction Alliance, and, in a whimsical twist, the ‘mechanic’ of the steampunk-focused cosplay group Airship Ashanti. Before I met her, I suspected she was creative and fun – and those suspicions proved wholly accurate in the course of our interview. I walked away thinking how crucial it is to find and make spaces for joy in our lives.

Over a Zoom conversation in January, we talked about her entry to cosplay, her creative interests, and the ways she’s made space for them. Photos were taken at Tillie’s Lounge in Northside.

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Arts + Culture, FeaturesSuzanne WilderFeatures, Celebrate Black Stories
On Second Thought: Tia Rochelle on Reaching the Next Level and Building Your Own Table
On Second Thought: Tia Rochelle on Reaching the Next Level and Building Your Own Table

When we first met with Tia Rochelle, it was the beginning of 2020, just before all of our worlds upended. On the very last day of 2021, I spoke with Tia and we were at the height of the pandemic, unsure if things would ever return to “normal.”

Tia will tell you herself that when Women of Cincy first interviewed her, she wasn’t exactly sure where her business, JahniSpot, was heading. She was adjusting to being an entrepreneur, balancing work and home, and ensuring her family was secure even though she was taking a risk.

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February 2022, Entrepreneurship, On Second ThoughtOlivia TaylorCommunity Mix, Celebrate Black Stories
Doris Thomas: Faith, Strength, and Never the Less
Doris Thomas: Faith, Strength, and Never the Less

Walking into Never the Less, a faith-based nonprofit organization that provides programs for fourth- through eleventh-grade girls in the tri-state area, is a lot like walking into a church: the atmosphere is welcoming and bright; in lieu of stained glass, beautiful paintings and prints depicting strong women decorate the walls; and at the center of it all, one can only approach the equivalent of a preacher – founder Ms. Doris Thomas – with a sense of joyful reverence. Working through her faith and the footprints of the women who showed her the way, Ms. Doris talked to us at Never the Less’ new location about her faith, her accomplishments, and her hopes to come.

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Features, Outreach + AdvocacyBlaire BartishFeatures, Celebrate Black Stories
Thirty Days of Giving. Thirty Days of Stories.
Thirty Days of Giving. Thirty Days of Stories.

We know that the past two years have been rough for everyone – us included. But, we’re still here and the need to create more empathy and connection across our communities is growing. Centering diverse voices through story is how we begin to break down barriers and local stories are important vehicles in which we can learn from one another and create change in our communities.

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Announcements, Around Town, Meet the TeamWomen of Cincy StaffFeatures, Community Mix
Lauren White on Building Community Connections and the Dark Side of the Moon
Lauren White on Building Community Connections and the Dark Side of the Moon

Huddled in Clifton’s Sitwells Coffeehouse, we sat down with author and community leader, Lauren White. The coffee shop is just a short drive from the University of Cincinnati (U.C.), where Lauren received her bachelor’s degree, is working on her master’s, and is a current employee. She’s made the most of the opportunities U.C. provides to create change for students and youth across Cincinnati. A published poet, Lauren wrote a book of poetry sharing the untold stories of Black women that she hopes will help encourage and inspire anyone who reads it.

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Education, Arts + CultureMichaela RawsthornFeatures, Celebrate Black Stories
The Role of an Advocate: Zoe Miller and Cheniece Wilson on Challenging Rape Culture on Campus
The Role of an Advocate: Zoe Miller and Cheniece Wilson on Challenging Rape Culture on Campus

As the official Campus Advocates for the University of Cincinnati, Zoe and Cheniece are responsible for creating awareness and education around gender-based violence. The pair focus on connecting students who have experienced gender-based violence to appropriate resources, being a confidential support system for survivors, and more.

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Resident Capstones, Outreach + Advocacy, September 2021Emma SegrestCommunity Mix, Celebrate Black Stories
Proud of How Far We’ve Come: Zoey Peach on LGBTQ Rights and HIV Prevention
Proud of How Far We’ve Come: Zoey Peach on LGBTQ Rights and HIV Prevention

Zoey Peach is, as her name implies, a real peach, with a bubbly personality and excitement behind her glistening eyes. The health educator and outreach maven invited us into the newly re-opened offices at Caracole, a nonprofit AIDS service organization serving the tri-state area in the fight against HIV/AIDS through prevention, housing, and care. Zoey shared stories of the amazing people she’s learned from and how she’s using that knowledge to fight discrimination in the tri-state area.

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Features, Education, Health + Wellness, Outreach + AdvocacyBlaire BartishFeatures
Sheryl Long: Finding Purpose in City Work
Sheryl Long: Finding Purpose in City Work

As a Gemini and self-professed creative with degrees in African American studies and marketing, Sheryl Long didn’t anticipate her current career path in city administration. But she found her purpose in local government roles. She’s now the assistant city manager for Cincinnati and the president of the Ohio City/County Management Association.

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Features, Outreach + Advocacy, PoliticsSuzanne WilderFeatures, Celebrate Black Stories
Becky Blank: Giving Voice to Diversity in the Tech Space
Becky Blank: Giving Voice to Diversity in the Tech Space

Becky Blank is passionate about making the tech industry a more diverse space. She lives her passion in her day job at Ample by striving to be the kind of strong woman leader whom she has always wanted to have in her workplace, and in her free time through the two nonprofits she helped found, We Pivot and Unmute. Both aim to amplify marginalized voices in the tech industry.

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Features, Science + TechTracy P. Van WagnerFeatures
Claire Bryson on Creating Community Stewards through Public Art
Claire Bryson on Creating Community Stewards through Public Art

“Cincinnati Is Beautiful.”—This simple and colorful mural in Camp Washington, just off Martin Luther King Drive near its overpass with Central Parkway, catches my eye every time I drive past it to get to the University of Cincinnati. Heading downtown, as I walk or drive around Over-the-Rhine, I take a closer look at the doors and walls of some boarded buildings and am often surprised to find them painted with cute door knobs, windows, and flower boxes.

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Community Mix, July 2021, Arts + CultureJanet ChuCommunity Mix
Megan Grote: Supporting Women After Mastectomies, One Design at a Time
Megan Grote: Supporting Women After Mastectomies, One Design at a Time

Have you ever met someone with a really big heart who can’t help but spread compassion all around? I recently had the pleasure of interviewing one such woman, who even uses her business platform to keep a life-stream of compassion flowing. Megan Grote is the owner and founder of With Grace B. Bold (W.G.B.B.), a “clothing brand that empowers women to unveil their self-esteem and rebuild their identity after a diagnosis with breast cancer.”

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July 2021, Entrepreneurship, Outreach + AdvocacyAbby FarrCommunity Mix