Gwen L. Robinson, who served as the president and CEO of the Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency (CAA) for 23 years, passed away Monday at the age of 78.

The CAA, in an Instagram post, said Robinson was a “true champion” for the community, who “dedicated her life to ensuring residents live in a community where everyone is equipped with the tools and resources to be self-sufficient.”

“Under her leadership, countless individuals and families found support, hope, and opportunities to thrive,” the post reads. “Her impact will never be forgotten, and her passion for service continues to inspire us all. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and the many lives she touched.”

Robinson joined the organization in 1995. It strives to lift individuals and families out of poverty through services such as job training and housing assistance.

She served the organization for over two decades before officially retiring in 2018.

Her awards and honors included:

• Cincinnati Herald Nefertiti Award
• 2010 Profile in Courage
• YWCA Career Women of Achievement
• Ladies of Distinction 2007 Honoree
• NAACP 2006 Wright Overstreet Award
• Radio One Women Empowerment Award
• Dada Rafiki Award

In addition to her work at CAA, Robinson served as vice chair on the Metro Board of Trustees. She was appointed by the City of Cincinnati in 2012.

According to Metro’s website, she was also the first African American president of the Cincinnatus Association, a civic group whose mission is “to initiate, recognize, participate in, and promote projects that improve the quality of life for all citizens in the Greater Cincinnati region.”

The CAA’s current president and CEO Mark B. Lawson said it’s hard to imagine a world without Robinson.

“She was a force,” Lawson said. “She was a visionary leader who cared passionately for her community and spent her career working to make things better for those struggling. We miss her.”

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval called her a “fighter of injustice” and “champion for equity.”

“Thank you for everything you gave, and for the inspiration you leave behind,” the mayor wrote on Facebook.

No one can deny that Ms. Robinson has paved the way as a true leader would. Even before stepping foot into that old warehouse 23 years ago, service to humanity was already imbedded in her. She knew that it took a village to build character. Knowing this, she accepted the challenge of rebuilding the Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency and she began to build a village, right here in Cincinnati. 

Joan Proffitt, finance director for the Agency, took this journey with Ms. Robinson 23 years ago. “It has truly been a pleasure to work under Ms. Robinson’s leadership,” said Proffitt. “When I think of where the Agency was and what the Agency has become, it is a testament to the great leadership that the Agency has had with Ms. Robinson.” 

When asked about her next venture, Ms. Robinson said, “The decision to transition to my next endeavor is one that I made with careful thought and consideration. As many of you know, CAA is my heart. I came here 23 years ago excited about the opportunity to lead a large organization. I can leave knowing that I have accomplished and gained more than I expected.” 

A memorial will be held at Corinthian Baptist Church, 1920 Tennessee Ave., in Bond Hill on Sunday, March 23. The family greeting begins at 12:30 p.m., with a celebration of life at 2 p.m.

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“Let’s go shopping!” chanted Avondale residents as they stood by the hundreds outside The Country Meat Co. Marketplace’s ribbon cutting ceremony leading to the grand opening of its new grocery store in the Avondale Town Center on February 29. The opening of the long-awaited store was an overwhelming success as customers then filed in one-by-one to shop the Avondale community’s first grocery store in 17 years, a store that is locally owned and operated by Tennell and Chanel Bryant.

The opening had the atmosphere of a celebration as shoppers flooded the attractive new store at 3539 Reading Road, shopped, met the owners and staff, and even had a cup of coffee or hot chocolate at the coffee bar. Shoppers experienced the finest meats, fresh produce, local offerings and homemade meals that reflect the heart of the Avondale and the Greater Cincinnati communities.

The customers were also able to connect with local elected officials, community leaders, grocery vendors and partners, local farmers and food artisans; sample some of the delicious in-house creations and seasonal favorites; and enjoy special discounts on a wide selection of products throughout the store. 

Former City Councilman Wendell Young said he remembers when Avondale had a thriving business district and the importance of a grocery store in the community. When on City Council, Young was a leader in fighting to eradicate food deserts. He pushed for funding to bring a grocery store to Avondale. Young was a featured speaker at the opening because he paved the way for Avondale and other communities to have grocery stores, and not accept being a food desert.

 “Today, we erase Avondale off of the food desert map,” said Cincinnati Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney who grew up in and still lives in Avondale. A few years ago, she challenged the Avondale Town Center management when they made plans to bring a blood plasma center rather than a grocery store to the shopping center. “I told them what Sandra Jones Mitchell, president of the Avondale Community Council, told me: ‘We are making signs right now to protest any plans for a blood plasma center here.’” Kearney praised Christie Kuhns, president & CEO of the Urban League, and Dr. Monica Mitchell of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center for providing funding and support to bring in a grocery store.

Reggie Harris, former council member and now Chief of Staff for U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman, pushed for the grocery store when he worked for TCB, and then when he was on City Council. Harris came in from Washington, D.C. for the grand opening. Another key supporter at the opening was Russ Hairston, president of the Avondale Development Corporation. He provided ongoing support and guidance to help the Bryants get to the finish line. “I also have to thank Triversity Construction,” said Kearney. “When there were repairs needed, Triversity’s President Jim Watkins immediately sent contractors to make those repairs.”

“We did it,” said co-owner Tennell Bryant in opening remarks, only to be loudly repeated by the shoppers in the crowd. “We are ending the food desert in Avondale!”    

The store opening is a part of Black History Month,” said shopper Di’Neva Moats, “It is emotional for me, in a right way. We can now get fresher foods here in Avondale.”

Co-owners Tennell and Chanel Bryant, said the Country Meat Co. Marketplace is more than a grocery store—it’s a community hub where fresh, locally sourced ingredients meet a welcoming, vibrant atmosphere. Chanel Bryant added, “We take pride in partnering with local farms to deliver the finest meats, produce, and other essentials. Our mission is simple: offer top-quality products while fostering a sense of togetherness. With a commitment to sustainability and community-driven values, The Country Meat Co. Marketplace provides a place for neighbors to connect and experience ‘City Fresh at its Best.’ ” 

“This has been a long road,” said co-owner Chanel Bryant, “but we are going to be successful and we are going to be great.”

The Bryants have successful experience operating a similar grocery store in Findlay Market in the Over-the-Rhine community near downtown Cincinnati.     

The store serves the Greater Cincinnati area and is open seven days per week from 6:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. For more information and to join the mailing list, visit https://thecountrymeatcomarketplace.com

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The Village of Lincoln Heights and members of the Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church have initiated a public boycott Evendale after their frustration with the Evendale Police Department and Evendale leaders regarding the neo-Nazi demonstration that occurred Feb. 7.

The Evendale Police Department provides protection for the village, as well as the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department.

The Rev. Dr. Julian Cook, pastor of the Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church, said at a Feb. 24  press conference at the church that no arrests or citations have been made by the Evendale Police Department in connection with the incident. However, he expressed appreciation for  Evendale officials’ decision to hire a third-party team to evaluate their handling of the demonstration. Lincoln Heights Mayor Ruby Kinsey-Mumphrey said she and other community members were upset that they were not invited to participate in that decision or in a decision about releasing the videos.

Lincoln Heights officials are asking the public not to spend a penny in Evendale and are asking the police and leaders of Evendale the following:

• A full investigation, including all unedited footage from Feb. 7.
• Support those affected by hate, including counseling of students who were traumatized by seeing the hateful demonstration
• A comprehensive plan for safety and accountability
• Accountability and respect, including the use of the Evendale public pool by Lincoln Heights residents.

 “This is a Hamilton County issue, this an American issue. So, once again, choose what side of history you’re going to be on. Are you on the side of Nazis and hate or are you on the side of being an American,” activist and Lincoln Heights Councilman Daronce Daniels said.

On Friday, Evendale City officials said that Consulting firm 21 CP Solutions (21st Century Policing), headed by former Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey, will be conducting their review.

“We owe it to our community and all those affected by Feb. 7 to learn from that day and strengthen trust,” said Evendale Mayor Richard H. Finan. He added all 16 hours of bodycam video from the incident would be publicly available for the community to review, and Evendale officers who assisted the Nazis demonstrators would face consequences.

Based in Chicago, 21CP has a former Cincinnati assistant police chief, Jim Whalen, as part of their team. The cost of bringing the firm in is about $70,000, according to Evendale Councilman Chris Patterson.

A dozen men carrying guns and waving flags with swastikas on them spent about 45 minutes on the overpass. Their presence drew a rapid response from residents in historically Black Lincoln Heights, creating a very charged and potentially violent atmosphere.

The demonstration ended when the White supremacists got into the back of a U-Haul truck and drove away.

“Our focus and our strategies and our efforts were entirely on public safety,” Evendale Police Chief Tim Holloway said. “Making sure everybody was safe, from the original demonstrators to the counter protesters that showed up and every motorist who just happened to be driving by and every employee of every business nearby.”

Lincoln Heights spends about one million dollars annually for policing from the Evendale Police Department. Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputies also patrol the community. Lincoln Heights leaders say this may be an opportunity for the village leaders to reinstate its police department.

Lincoln Heights resident Jennifer Gray said in the 1960s she witnessed KKK members burn a cross in a demonstration in the village’s school yard. Carlton Collins, a leader in The Heights Movement, added that the village residents have been resilient in fighting abuses for many years, including enduring the constant noise from the adjacent law enforcement shooting range, which Cincinnati officials are planning to relocate at an isolated site.

The post Lincoln Heights community boycott Evendale over neo-Nazi demonstration appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

Herald: Byron, after a decade on the Cincinnati City Planning Commission, including five years as chairman, what are your thoughts on the city’s growth during your tenure?

Byron Stallworth: Cincinnati has seen impressive growth, especially in infrastructure, housing, and commercial development. But, I believe there’s still tremendous opportunity for further expansion, particularly within our African American communities. Cincinnati leads urban population in terms of growth in urban core in the state of Ohio.

Herald: Can you highlight a development project that stands out regarding inclusion and community involvement?

Byron Stallworth: Without a doubt, the TQL Stadium in the West End is a prime example. FC Cincinnati did a phenomenal job ensuring significant minority participation, achieving a 76% involvement rate for MBE/WBE/SBE firms in direct contracts and subcontracts. That level of inclusion is rarely seen in large-scale developments.

Herald: What made that project so successful regarding community engagement?

Byron Stallworth: It was the direct result of a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) between FC Cincinnati and the West End Community Council. The Port Authority set economic inclusion goals of 25% MBE, 7% WBE, and 30% SBE, and the Black community played a substantial role in the project. I haven’t seen that kind of community involvement since working on the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center during its development.

Herald: How have you seen diversity evolve in Cincinnati’s construction and business landscape?

Byron Stallworth: There has been a positive shift, especially among companies headquartered here. Organizations like Procter & Gamble, The Kroger Co., Fifth Third Bank, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital have significantly committed to diverse supply chains. That said, there’s still room for improvement, particularly in ensuring Black architects and developers have access to major projects.

Herald: What neighborhoods do you see as hotspots for growth?

Byron Stallworth: Oakley and Madisonville have seen remarkable transformations. Oakley Square has developed into a thriving community. Med Pace Complex at Madison and Red Bank, another.  I’d love to see similar investments along Reading Road, where the expansions of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and the University of Cincinnati are already impacting the city. The planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system from Downtown through Reading Road could drive further development in Bond Hill and Roselawn, which are prime for investment.

Herald: Speaking of housing, what’s your take on Cincinnati’s affordable housing landscape?

Byron Stallworth: The city is working to increase housing density. Former City Managers like Milton Dohoney, Harry Black, Sheryl Long, and Mayors John Cranley and Aftab Pureval have pushed for more affordable housing. But the shortage is still significant—anywhere from 20,000 to 40,000 homes/units are needed.

Herald: What housing trends have you noticed?

Byron Stallworth: The market is shifting. Many buyers and renters prefer homes with low-maintenance designs, so we’re seeing small condo complexes in Madisonville, Oakley and Silverton. However, too many out-of-town investors have neglected their properties, leaving tenants in poor conditions. The Cincinnati Port Authority is working to address this issue by purchasing and renovating properties and educating renters on pathways to homeownership.

Herald: Let’s talk about the Planning Commission itself. What role has diversity played on the board?

Byron Stallworth: Mayor Aftab Pureval has praised the Planning Commission as the most diverse board in the city. Half men, half women. Balance in race and gender. The Commission includes Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney, City Manager Sheryl Long or her appointee, John Eby, Anne Sessler,  Darrick Dansby, new Chairman, Jacob Samad, and Vice Chair Daniella Beltran. There is a strong representation of Black and Hispanic members. Diversity is essential since nearly half of Cincinnati’s population is minority-based.

Herald: You’ve mentioned a lack of Black architects presenting projects before the board. What are your thoughts on that?

Byron Stallworth: In my entire tenure, I only saw one Black architect—David Kirk—bring a project before us as lead designer. That has to change. There are prime opportunities for Black architects and designers in Cincinnati’s development landscape, and we need to ensure they’re included in these projects. Frankly, I think projects need inclusion throughout projects from design to maintenance after construction.

Herald: Looking back, what projects are you most proud of?

Byron Stallworth: There have been several. Some of the most impactful include the development of TQL Stadium; Medpace Campus; DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) at The Banks; infrastructure upgrades in Clifton around the University of Cincinnati; the nationally renowned BLINK Festival; and the city’s Connected Communities legislation.

I’ve also had the privilege of leading or contributing to launching the African American Cultural Resource Center at UC; leading major campaigns with Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, like Adopt-a-Block and Glad-Bag-A-Thon; serving as Director of Government Affairs for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, which had a 42% M/WBE spend; chairing the City of Cincinnati Charter Review Task Force (2015); and serving as Vice Chair of the Green Umbrella Board of Trustees (2015-2023.

Herald: You’ve had an impressive career advocating for inclusion and development. What’s next for you?

Byron Stallworth: As Founder and CEO of Inclusion Building Solutions, I continue pushing for supply chain diversity and business development. My focus is ensuring minority-owned businesses have a seat at the table when shaping Cincinnati’s future.

Herald: One final question—who’s stepping into your shoes on the Planning Commission?

Byron Stallworth: That would be Derrick Dansby. He brings significant experience as a Realtor, construction advocate, and former 3CDC and Price Hill Will staff member. Undoubtedly, he will do a great job continuing the commission’s work.

Herald: Byron, thanks for your time and dedication to making Cincinnati a more inclusive and forward-thinking city.

Byron Stallworth: My pleasure. Cincinnati has incredible potential, and I’m excited to see where it goes next.

The post Byron Stallworth leaves a legacy of growth and inclusion in Cincinnati 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 .

A procession of vehicles made its way through Lincoln Heights and Evendale Monday to counter protest the February 7 neo-Nazi demonstration on the Vision Way overpass between the two communities.

During the February 7 demonstration, about 10  members of the hate group carried swastika flags and assault rifles and hung White supremacist banners from the overpass. They were eventually confronted by Lincoln Heights residents, the presence of Evendale police and Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputies and left towing a U-Haul filled with their props.

Residents of the historically Black community — the first self-governing Black municipality north of the Mason-Dixon line — say they believe they were intentionally targeted. The members of the hate group wore masks and several brandished assault rifles.

The incident has left an unsettled feeling in Lincoln Heights and questions about law enforcements’ response to the hate group.

“We still have drivers cruising through Lincoln Heights wearing swastikas on their arm bands and hate signs on their cars,” said Carlton Collins, a leader in The Heights Movement, a civic organization.

Drivers involved in Monday’s counter-protest painted their windows and carried signs with anti-racist slogans and messages like “we demand answers,” a reference to the police response about the hate group

“The purpose of the caravan of vehicles Monday was to announce our effort to produce an economic boycott of Evendale businesses in response to the lack of transparency provided by the Evendale police presence here during the Nazi demonstration,” Collins said. 

“The neo-Nazi group parked their van in the Lincoln Heights Middle School/High School parking lot, which was just dismissing students, as elementary school buses coming into the same lot were letting those students off. So all of those students were seeing the whole thing going on down at the overpass. The high school students were the first to reach the overpass, with the armed neo—Nazis walking from our side of the overpass to it.

“Also, from 20 to 30 percent of our population lives in the senior apartments back of the school. So we had most of our vulnerable people witness what was happening, and all of that contributed to just how angry the people of Lincoln Heights were.”   

Collins said members of The Heights Movement have some footage from Evendale police taken during the event, but it has apparently been edited, and the members want an independent investigation of the police department concerning their response to the event. 

“We want some clarity about whether the  Evendale police were in support of the neo- Nazis presence here,” he said.    

The “rolling protest” caravan Monday has produced some positive results that are leading to accountability, Collins said. “There has been a lot of community trauma, but we are now in space where we are on the road to healing. The sooner we get answers, that will help us in that process.” he added.

Lincoln Heights residents want to know why none of the hate group members were cited for breaking any laws, and how their U-Haul truck ended up outside Lockland school after the demonstration.

Lockland Local Schools last week released security footage showing an Evendale Police cruiser pulling up to the school in the minutes after the demonstration. Shortly after, the U-Haul driven by the neo-Nazis pulled up behind it. The officer gets out, speaks briefly to the driver of the U-Haul, then gets in his cruiser, pulls into the school’s parking lot and then drives away. The U-Haul then pulls into the parking lot as well before driving off.

In the statement, Lockland Schools says it was just minutes away from dismissal of elementary school students when the incident happened and that the district was not notified about the hate group being near — and briefly on — its property.

Regarding the Nazi confrontation in Lincoln Heights, The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners released this joint statement:

“We are appalled by the hateful and racist display that took place in the Lincoln Heights/Evendale. Hate has no place in Hamilton County or society, and we stand united in rejecting those who seek to divide us.”

Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey is calling on Ohio lawmakers for stricter laws after the neo-Nazi demonstration on the overpass.

McGuffey said on Tuesday she wants state lawmakers to implement harsher legislation for “hate speech” and to make it a crime to wear a mask while carrying a firearm for purposes of intimidation.

According to reports, Hamilton County dispatchers said police responded to the scene and were working on “keeping the peace.” Evendale police said they became aware of “an unannounced protest” on the sidewalks of the overpass. Hamilton County sheriff’s deputies also responded to the scene.

Evendale police stated previously in a news release the protest, while very offensive, was not unlawful.

“It might be legally protected speech but it is not OK,” McGuffey said on Tuesday.

The post Lincoln Heights residents demand answers for response to neo-Nazis appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By Dan Yount, The Cincinnati Herald and Nana Eshun, Legislative Aide, State Rep. Cecil Thomas

Last Friday’s pro-Nazi demonstration

Videos and photos poured in on social media Friday, Feb. 7, as neo-Nazis stood on an overpass in Lincoln Heights waving flags with Nazi swastikas, giving the “Heil Hitler” sign, and shouting insults at passing drivers. Lincoln Heights residents showed up in full force, and the hate group retreated to their van. On Sunday, Lincoln Heights leaders and residents led a march for strength and unity (see story on page B5).

Lincoln Heights was the first Black-governed city in the country, and it remains the largest Black community in Ohio.

The hate group started in the business district where they met a curious business owner with hateful speech, including the N-word, as several elementary students were exiting their school bus. They continued to the bridge overpass, known as Aviation Way, above the I-75 expressway.

Once there, the Neo-Nazis attached swastika symbols and separatist speech to the fence which is state property. They then used this platform to spew out hateful speech toward Black motorists as they drove across the bridge, causing a serious traffic distraction to motorists traveling north on I-75.

As word spread throughout the community, a large crowd gathered to confront the group. A minor struggle ensued, resulting in law enforcement intervening to separate the parties. Some accused some of the officers of helping the hate group, rather than protecting the citizens, and others said they saw law enforcement officers helping the group to carry some items from their vehicle. Those accusations are under investigation.

A swastika flag was taken from a member of the group and set on fire. Law enforcement escorted the Neo-Nazis back to their vehicles, allowing them to leave. 

The following day, Saturday, February 8, several vehicles that were parked in the business district parking lot were vandalized, windows shattered. The residents believe the perpetrators were members of the neo-Nazi group, retaliating for one of their vehicles being damaged. The incident is under investigation by law enforcement.

The community of Lincoln Heights deserves answers and action from the legislature, said State Rep. Cecil Thomas.

“As a legislator, and the ranking member of the Public Safety Committee, I find it necessary to address the incident described below. Since the activity occurred on the overpass that is state owned property, I will be calling for the Director of Public Safety to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. I want to know whether a citizen has a legal right to protest and or attach paraphernalia on a bridge overpass belonging to the state. If there is a violation, what authority does a local law enforcement agency have in this situation? What role does the State Patrol have, if any? Should local law enforcement have notified the state?  

“Also, I will be using this incident to introduce legislation to assist local governments in addressing these types of situations that can escalate out of control very quickly. If both sides are wielding weapons, one spark could easily cause a blood bath. Under current law, local governments and law enforcement’s hands are currently tied. They need proactive, clear legal guidance to determine when speech or action becomes inciteful, that could compel a reasonable individual to violence. They also need proactive, clear legal guidance to decide when a situation, in their judgement, has become a threat to the safety of citizens and or the community. Why did it take a minor shuffle before law enforcement decided to act?”

Tamara Lang, VP of External Relations, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio, said the disturbing Nazi demonstration on highway I-75 was witnessed by people on their daily commute and residents of neighboring communities.

She added, “For many, these acts of hate serve as a stark reminder of deep wounds that seem to never heal, and stories never forgotten. For our team at the Holloman Center for Social Justice, these symbols demonstrate a blatant alignment with hate and White supremacist ideology.

Executive Advisor to the Center, Attorney Fanon Rucker, said, “Recognizing every citizen’s First Amendment Right of Free Speech, brandishing military style weapons while using gestures and spewing hateful rhetoric clearly have the goal of intimidation, provocation and harassment. History reminds us that the unchecked belief of superiority is the tool of racial and ethnic oppression. No wonder what we saw fires up such anger and resistance.”

The Village of Lincoln Heights, the first Black self-governing community in the country, has served as a historic beacon of resilience and empowerment. The fact that this area was chosen for this hateful display was likely not a coincidence, Lang said.

She added, “The Holloman Center for Social Justice stands firmly against racism, antisemitism, and all forms of extremism that seek to intimidate and divide us. We call upon all local leaders, business leaders, law enforcement and Civil Rights organizations to join us in rejecting hate in all forms and those that threaten the safety and well-being of our communities.

“Now is not the time for empty rhetoric and promises. The fight for a just society is not limited to responding to moments like this—it is about building sustained power, strengthening protections against extremism, and ensuring that vulnerable communities are safe, supported, and uplifted. We will not be silenced or deterred by these despicable acts, nor will we allow fear to undermine the progress our communities have fought for generations to achieve.

Officer Steward Isaacs, President of the Sentinels Police Association that represents Cincinnati’s Black police officers, commented that agents of hate once again have been active in our community. “However, like our parents and grandparents of the past, we will stand tall for what is right. We know this is just the start of those who cause diversion for the sake of division. We are not amused  and we are not afraid. We will stand with those organizations that remain steadfast and shine a light on those who would terrorize our communities.”

David Whitehead, the new president of the Cincinnati NAACP, added that the NAACP is aware of the individuals waving a symbolism of hate and “we question their residency in the city of Cincinnati.”

He said the current executive orders (issued by President Donald Trump) and actions have angered many and emboldened others.

Whitehead added, “This is not normal and should not be accepted as such. We are stronger together, and we are calling on all to unify against this behavior.”

The post Lincoln Heights leaders and residents rose up against Neo-Nazi hate appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals last week in Cincinnati heard arguments from heirs of Black farmers across the country who have been prevented for more than a century in applying to for U. S. Department of Agriculture low-interest loans and grants meant to assist farmers, including Black farmers.

While the heirs of White farmers and farmers from other minorities have been able to receive loans from the USDA, heirs of Black farmers have been discriminated against. Black farmers are denied USDA loans more than any other group, according to CNN data.

Under former President Joe Biden, the agency launched the Discrimination of Financial Assistance Program to provide monetary help to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who were discriminated against prior to 2021. However, the USDA insists that only people still alive can apply for the program.

The Biden administration sent out millions of dollars in relief checks in amounts ranging from $10,000 to $500,000 amounting to a total of $2.2 billion to over 43,000 Black farmers in an effort to address inequity in farm loan programs, before an emergency request at a federal court to temporarily pause the process.

Thomas Burrell, president of the Black Farmers & Agriculturalists Association headquartered in the Memphis, Tennessee, area, said discriminatory practices denied farmers’ heirs generational wealth.

Burrell, speaking Jan. 30 outside the Potter Stewart U.S. Courthouse in downtown Cincinnati, said, “What is the purpose of saying, we’re going to go back and cover discrimination that happened 20, 30, 40 years ago but not pay the heirs?” Burrell said.

Percy Squire, a Columbus-based attorney representing the farmers, said there were Black farmers who were discriminated against, who had to sell their farms in order to survive, and those people’s estates should be eligible for financial assistance, because their heirs would have benefited from that. They wouldn’t even accept the applications from Black farmers’ heirs, he said.

The government’s attorney, Jack Starcher, argued to the appellate court’s three-judge panel that the program applications were only open to “living farmers.”

Squire said the assistance would go to the dead farmers’ heirs, but he said assisting still-living-yet-elderly applicants would also benefit heirs.

The Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association, which Burrell says has over 20,000 members, lost at a federal district court, with the case moving to the three-judge panel at the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati, which also handles cases from Tennessee,  to pause the relief payment process and reconsider the lawsuit – before the program runs out of money, Burrell said.

“We were asking the Department of Agriculture discontinue its attack of discrimination against the African American community, particularly African American farming and ranching community and their subsequent heirs,” Burrell said.

One argument the farmers’ association is using is from a new Supreme Court decision that overturned a 45-year-old precedent governing how federal courts interpret executive agency actions.

In June, the Supreme Court ended a legal doctrine known as “Chevron” – named after a 1984 case – that instructed courts to defer to an agency’s interpretation of a law when the statutory language is ambiguous. The high court’s majority opinion said that judges should exercise “independent judgment” in assessing whether an agency regulation complies with the relevant statute.

As a result, the farmers’ association says the trial judge incorrectly relied on a “discredited” standard of review and that the appeals court should examine what the USDA is doing. The panel isn’t expected to render a decision for months. If it sides with the Black farmers, the program will have to reopen applications, which closed last January.

There is also concern among some Black farmers that if the court were to pause the payment program, it would harm the very people waiting for relief from the federal government.

John Boyd, Jr., president of the National Black Farmers Association, told CNN the inclusion of heirs is a “reparations issue that should be looked at by the courts,” but said he didn’t want the program blocked in the meantime.

“It’s good that the payments are going out to needy Black farmers and families. The law was clear on who was going to be eligible in that process for farmers,” Boyd told CNN. “It’s timely, but we still want our 120% debt relief.”

A spokesperson for the USDA said the department “has been working hard to dismantle systemic barriers to accessing loans” and is “assessing application trends, particularly of historically underserved customers.”

“Analysis of this data has helped inform changes that have been enacted such as an online loan application, a new loan assistance tool, a simplified application process, and more,” the spokesperson told CNN.

In 1981, Burrell ignited a movement with protests and sit-ins in his native home of Covington, Tennessee, to address issues and concerns of Black famers in the United States and abroad who were deliberately discriminated against by the U. S. Department of Agriculture

BFAA gained nationwide prominence after successfully launching a worldwide public and media awareness campaign in the historic (Pigford v. Glickman) 1999 class-action lawsuit against the USDA, alleging racial discrimination against Black farmers in its allocation of farm loans and assistance between 1981 and 1996.  The lawsuit was settled on April 14, 1999, for almost $1 billion. 

Burrell was one of the first Black farmers to publicly engage in a civil war against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1981.  He gained overwhelming support from other Black farmers and staged weeks of protests, sit-ins and public rallies at a local USDA county office in his native home and other counties. The demonstrations sparked worldwide media attention and later evolved as the Black farmer’s class-action racial discrimination lawsuit in 1997; the lawsuits provided over $5 billion dollars in compensation to thousands of Black farmers and other minority farmers, including Native Americans, Hispanics, female farmers, and ranchers all over the country. 

For the last four decades, he has been fighting for the rights of Black farmers, their heirs, administrators who are still being discriminated against by the USDA.

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    Former Cincinnati Reds’ right fielder Dave Parker has been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame alongside seven-time All-Star, Dick Allen. They’ll be inducted during a ceremony in Cooperstown, N.Y., Hall of Fame on July 27, 2025.

    “Parker was named on 14 of 16 ballots and Allen on 13 of 16 ballots as the only candidates to reach the 75-percent threshold necessary for election,” according to a news release.

     Parker, 73, won two World Championships in his 19 big league seasons. Nicknamed “The Cobra,” he was born in Mississippi and grew up in Cincinnati. He attended Cincinnati’s Courter Technical High School, where he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1970 in the 14th round of the MLB June Amateur Draft. He made his major league debut in 1973.

    Parker won back-to-back National League batting titles in 1977-78 and earned MVP honors in 1978 as well. He won the World Series with the Pirates in 1979, and again 10 years later with the Athletics. He’s a three-time Gold Glove Award winner in right field, and was known during his time with the Reds as a mentor to Barry Larkin and Eric Davis. He became a free agent in 1983 and was drafted by his hometown team.

    At age 68, Parker was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He lives with his wife, Kellye, in Cincinnati. Allen died in 2020.

    Parker’s time with the Reds was brief compared to his 11-year run as a Pirate, but he made an impression as  a Reds player that led to him being inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame in 2014.

     He was with the Reds from 1984 through 1987. The 1985 campaign was Parker’s best while wearing a Reds uniform. He batted .312 and led the National League in doubles (42), RBI (125) and total bases (350). In Cincinnati, Parker played in 631 games and had a batting average of .281, hitting 107 home runs.

     Parker’s impressive numbers in 1985 resulted in him being second in the voting for National League MVP. He was edged out of a second MVP award that year by Cardinals outfielder Willie McGee.

   In his career, Parker averaged a .290 batting average with a total of 339 home runs in more than 2,400 games. Parker, the 1978 National League MVP, was also a seven-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove winner, three-time Silver Slugger winner, two-time NL batting champion and a two-time World Series champion in his 19-year MLB career.

    Additionally, Parker was the first professional athlete to earn $1 million per year, paving the way for athletes of all races across all sports.

      After his four years with the Reds, Parker also played with Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays and California Angels, which became the Los Angeles Angels.

      In his career, Parker averaged a .290 batting average with a total of 339 home runs in more than 2,400 games.

       Parker was honored in South Cumminsville on November 1, 2023.  The City of Cincinnati, Cumminsville Community Council, and the Cincinnati Reds honorarily named Borden Street at Elmore Street near his childhood home as Dave Parker Way. 

     “I’m really honored to be here today, because this is where it all started,” Parker said at the street naming ceremony. “I’ve seen people today I used to play baseball with, go to school with. It was a pleasure growing up here. And I drive through here on occasion just to reminisce, because this is it. This is where it started and made me the individual that I am.”

        Parker’s family and other former Reds players attended the ceremony alongside Parker.

        The street renaming honor also recognize Parker for his contributions to the Cincinnati community and his lasting impact on baseball. 

      Cincinnati City Councilmember Mark Jeffreys, during the street renaming ceremony, pulled out a Dave Parker baseball card, the first baseball card he had as a kid, and said, “Dave has always been a personal hero of mine and an icon. So, when the South Cumminsville Community Council approached me wanting to honor him where he grew up, I said it would be my honor. The amount that he’s given back to the city of Cincinnati is phenomenal.

     “It’s an absolute privilege to sponsor this street unveiling in his name. I really appreciate him for touching my life as a young child and his everlasting contribution to the great sport of baseball and to our city.”

    Parker was accompanied by his wife, Kellye, and several members of his family. The whole event felt like a family affair with all the stories told and love shown to the man known as “The Cobra.”

      “Congrats to Dave on this well-deserved honor,” Reds President and COO Phil Castellini said. “The Reds are so proud the neighborhood includes you as a marquee of its importance in Reds history. It’s performances such as yours where you have met life’s ups and downs with determination, grace and grit that will inspire the next great player to emerge from our local ballfields.”

     Parker has been battling Parkinson’s disease for over a decade and during that period has poured much of his time, energy and resources into the Dave Parker39 Foundation. The all-volunteer, non-profit organization has raised thousands of dollars over the years in the effort to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease and make life better for those living with the disease.

Feature Image: Dave Parker during his time with the Cincinnati Reds. Photo by Michael Mitchell

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