By Terence Cullen
tcullen@actumllc.com

New York, New York – Jotaka Eaddy, a leading social impact strategist and the founder of #WinWithBlackWomen, receive the Mildred Bond Roxborough Social Justice Impact Award at the 56th NAACP Image Awards Creative Honors on February 21 in Los Angeles. Previously called the Social Justice Award, the recognition was renamed this year in honor of Dr. Mildred Bond Roxborough, a lifelong Civil Rights activist and the longest-serving staff member of the NAACP.

The NAACP Image Awards are globally recognized as one of the most distinguished multicultural award ceremonies that uplift Black excellence and hold a standard of excellence, justice, equality, and progressive change, as exemplified by Eaddy’s career. She has focused her work on bringing together Black women in positions of power everywhere, leveraging over 20 years of experience in policy, advocacy, and movement building. Founded in August 2020 with a group of 90 women on its first Zoom call, #WinWithBlackWomen has grown into an intergenerational, intersectional collective of 200,000 Black women from across business, sports, movement, politics, entertainment, and beyond. Last year, the group made history in championing Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential bid, convening 90,000 women on the day of the campaign’s launch and raising over $3 million for the Harris-Walz ticket. Their work inspired more than 200 pro-Harris affinity groups that collectively raised over $20 million for the campaign.

“I am deeply honored to receive this award, especially after such a pivotal and challenging year. The work of Civil Rights pioneers like Dr. Mildred Bond Roxborough has paved the way for Black women like me to continue the fight for justice,” said Jotaka Eaddy. “To be named at the NAACP’s preeminent ceremony honoring esteemed colleagues and leaders, all of whom I deeply admire, is a tremendous privilege—one I don’t take lightly. Together, we’ve worked on crucial issues, from voting rights and education to women’s reproductive freedoms and building generational wealth, and only together will we continue this path forward.”

Eaddy is also the founder and CEO of Full Circle Strategies, LLC, where she leads transformative change and global impact for clients including advising Oprah Winfrey: OWN Network’s award-winning OWN Your Vote Campaign; supporting the expansion of inclusive policy and platform changes for some of the world’s largest tech companies and venture firms; and guiding the launch of Goldman Sachs’ One Million Black Women Initiative that created a historic $1 billion investment in Black women.

“Despite so much chaos and falsehoods around diversity, equity and inclusion, our mission is far from over. We will remain united, standing shoulder to shoulder, and continue working tirelessly for the justice and respect we rightfully deserve,” Eaddy continued.

Eaddy’s previous accomplishments range from her election as the University of South Carolina’s first Black Woman Student Body President and groundbreaking work to abolish the juvenile death penalty in America, to her pivotal leadership as Senior Advisor to the NAACP–all before her successful transition to the C-Suite of Silicon Valley. Described as the “Olivia Pope of Silicon Valley” by Forbes Magazine, Eaddy is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; was recently named the Associated Press’s No. 3 “People to Know” in its 2024 Guide to Democracy; and recognized in Marie Claire’s 2024 Changemakers, ESSENCE’s 2024 Power 40, and TIME Magazine’s 2025 ‘The Closers’.

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By Betina Cutaia Wilkinson, Wake Forest University

Back in 2012, quarterback Colin Kaepernick was one of the NFL’s most popular stars. He led the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl and was just a few plays away from winning the title and lifting the Lombardi Trophy.

But America’s focus on Kaepernick’s athletic success waned in 2016. That’s when he began to kneel before games during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” to protest the deaths of young Black men at the hands of white police officers.

They included Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, two unarmed Black men killed by police in the summer of 2016.

“To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way,” Kaepernick said in The Guardian newspaper. “There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

Kaepernick’s activism, coinciding with the reemergence of the Black Lives Matter movement, received varied responses.

Some NFL players, like Kaepernick’s then-teammate Eric Reid, imitated Kaepernick’s actions, generating a wave of anti-racist activism – not just in football but in other sports, too, like women’s basketball. Others, including several NFL executives, responded with vitriol and hate.

A recent study I conducted with colleagues Lisa Kiang and Elizabeth Seagroves examines American attitudes toward sports activism, providing insight into the stark responses to Kaepernick’s advocacy and those of other athletes.

Making sense of the varied responses

We surveyed 207 college students and 33 residents in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where I teach, to examine their views on racial justice activism among professional athletes.

We found there were three general perspectives.

One group supported the sports activism and tied it to changing the status quo. People in this group back athletes’ ability to serve as activists and role models, and they hope the protests generate meaningful sociopolitical change.

“I thought it was very necessary and good,” said one participant in the study, referring to athletes’ activism. “I think that if they can use their platform for something good, they should.”

When we asked about Kaepernick’s activism in 2016, these participants lauded him for his courage.

They felt Kaepernick’s protests, along with the Black Lives Matter movement, helped raise awareness of racial injustices in the United States.

Participants reject racial justice advocacy

Other participants in our study expressed support for athletes’ right to protest, but they rejected their racial justice advocacy.

They said athletes have the freedom to say what they think. And they tied the protests to the United States’ commitment to freedom of speech. But they disapproved of kneeling during the playing of the national anthem, labeling it as disrespectful.

“I think most of it is good. If you have a platform, you should use it,” one participant told us. “However, when misinformation is spread, it becomes bad.”

Several participants felt the conflation of the national anthem with protesting racial injustices was misleading and wrong, and this participant considered Kaepernick’s protest “misinformation.”

Kaepernick’s activism elicited similarly mixed feelings at the time. A majority of the public viewed Kaepernick’s refusal to stand as unpatriotic. Most, however, also supported his right to free speech.

In May 2018, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell barred athletes from protesting on the sidelines during the national anthem, but he gave them the option to remain in the locker room during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” if they preferred. The move came after players had protested racial inequality and police brutality for two seasons.

“We want people to be respectful of the national anthem,” Goodell said, according to ESPN. “We want people to stand – that’s all personnel – and make sure they treat this moment in a respectful fashion. That’s something we think we owe. But we were also very sensitive to give players choices.”

In June 2020, in the wake of George Floyd’s death and years into Kaepernick’s activism, Goodell apologized to players and reversed the policy, saying, “We were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier.”

But team protests varied throughout the league.

Some teams such as the Green Bay Packers and Jacksonville Jaguars, at least on one occasion, remained in their locker rooms during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Some teams acted uniformly with the exception of one or two players. Dallas Cowboys player Dontari Poe was the only person on his team to kneel during the playing of the national anthem.

The fact that not all players protested, and that teams had distinct approaches to protesting, is not surprising given the public’s varied responses to athlete activism.

Complete disapproval

A third group of participants in our study disapproved of sports activism entirely. And these participants often accompanied their criticism by saying that athletes strayed from their role as entertainers.

“I don’t think it’s good because it’s giving people a reason not to like a professional athlete when their job is to play a sport. They are not politicians and haven’t been able to prove they can make a change,” said one participant.

For example, when responding to WNBA player Skylar Diggins-Smith’s call for the imprisonment of the police officers in Louisville, Kentucky, involved in the 2020 shooting death of Breonna Taylor during a nighttime apartment raid, one participant said: “It’s not for the average citizen to call for police officers to be investigated. It’s just not OK for a professional athlete to push their agenda like that.”

Our study, much like other studies, found that people who are white, older and politically conservative are more opposed to racial justice activism in sports than their counterparts.

What does this mean?

As seen in our study, U.S. views toward sports protests are tied to the role people believe athletes should play in society.

For some, athletes can and should be role models; that includes by raising awareness of racial injustices. For others, athletes should only express their perspectives under certain conditions.

And yet other Americans believe athletes are performers whose only role should be to entertain.

Still, there’s no doubt Kaepernick’s activism changed the playing field, even if his NFL career suffered. After the 2016 season, he was never picked up by another team.

Kaepernick’s activism inspired people to attend protests and donate to political causes.

The NAACP has asked college athletes to avoid attending schools that are dismantling their diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, initiatives.

Coach Steve Kerr and All- Star Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors regularly voice their political views and draw attention to injustices.

Several sports associations – the NFL, NBA, WNBA and NWSL – have implemented social justice initiatives and councils that strive to mobilize voters and educate the electorate on political issues.

Colin Kaepernick’s activism may have ended his Super Bowl dreams, but his legacy extends far beyond the game of football.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Betina Cutaia Wilkinson, Wake Forest University

Read more:

• It’s the most American of sports, so why is the NFL looking to Melbourne for international games?
• Sports gambling creates a windfall, but raises questions of integrity – here are three lessons from historic sports-betting scandals
• Super Bowl ads: It’s getting harder for commercials to score with consumers

Betina Cutaia Wilkinson previously received funding from the Latino Center for Leadership Development.
Lisa Kiang works with Betina Wilkinson at Wake Forest University. Elizabeth Seagroves was Betina Wilkinson’s student during her time at Wake Forest University 

Feature Image: San Francisco 49ers players Eric Reid, left, and Colin Kaepernick take a knee during the national anthem before a game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 12, 2016. Daniel Gluskoter/AP Images for Panini

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Contributed by

Cincinnati NAACP

The following comes from a speech that Cincinnati NAACP President Joe Mallory delivered at the 2023 Black Family Reunion Breakfast at Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati in August 2023. With the Cincinnati NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner being held October 6 at Sharonville Convention Center, Mallory’s words are still relative today. His speech follows:

Family reunions are celebratory events where  family history is reflected on, traditions are taught, and bonds are strengthened through many shared memories … and it is important that they continue.

When Dr. Dorothy Height began this celebration about 35 years ago, she established it after she saw a television documentary titled “The vanishing Black family.”

She refused to let that be the narrative or let someone else tell our story.

She came up with the concept of a Black family reunion to combat the negative stereotypes about the Black family. 

And those are some of the same stereotypes that we hear and fight against today.

We must value what we have here … because Cincinnati is the last Black Family Reunion standing. 

You don’t get longevity without vision … strong leadership … time … energy … resources … people … partnerships … and God’s favor.

As we celebrate our pride and power today … and as we acknowledge the past … we must not ever, never, ever let anyone erase our history! It is American history.

When we think about the Black family, think about the unimaginable atrocities and the endless suffering that was endured, being enslaved and placed in bondage with the chains of colonialism due to the color of one’s skin … in the largest forced migration in history. We were brought to a strange land … our families torn apart … wives raped in front of husbands, men emasculated in front of their wives and children, very young girls raped and impregnated by their pedophile masters, some of them Founding Fathers (hello – Thomas Jefferson)  

We were brutalized and treated as property, murdered by lynching, had no rights. These are just some of the truth’s that some folks don’t want people to remember. 

They would rather it be erased … so folks won’t feel bad because of what their ancestors did. instead, there should be atonement, reconciliation and healing, be cause you can’t heal without the truth. 

These are trying times and now we have White supremacy boldly on the rise, trying to take us back to a dark period in history. that we cannot and will not allow to repeat itself, because that’s what can happen when you don’t know your history. 

It is absolutely miraculous that Black families endured, oftentimes enduring by hanging on to a thread of hope because that’s all they had … that hope of freedom. 

Miraculous because of a social construct that placed Blacks at the very bottom of the ladder of opportunity because of the color of their skin. The Black family has had to survive a structural system that was not built to advance or support us, a system of capitalism without being able to capitalize.

Let’s be very clear about one thing … Black people did not benefit from slavery! That’s absurd! Our generational trauma still exists! But Black families were able to persevere by hanging on to a thread of hope and a mustard seed of faith.

Thank God we don’t look like what we have been through as a people. We still we rise, proud and powerful. 

When proud Black families began making incremental but powerful progress and circulating money inside the Black community and building wealth (hello Tulsa Back Wall Street – 1921 Race Massacre), the oppressors felt threatened, their fragility was exposed. Even though we had no generational wealth, and no economic floor to begin with, but becoming self sufficient by using similar economic practices and principles to their advantage, imagine the audacity!

Fast forward to present time, and some of the remedies that were put in place, to help address the inequality of systems, due to a rigged system … they are now being dismantled. (Goodbye affirmative action) … but we still have legacy programs … and its okay to keep all the athletes, oh, the hypocrisy.)

There are so many more issues we must address, in our historically marginalized communities, like the lack of income based affordable housing. Black and Brown communities are suffering and the plethora of gentrification. We need allies that truly believe in equity instead of transactional performative acts, and there needs to be a paradigm shift in processes that truly support transformative change and not be threatened by it. 

Many times, you have gatekeepers giving lip service, then blocking resources from getting where they are needed. 

We must absolutely come up with some kind of gun reform and deal with the scourge of guns on our streets. We are losing far too many people to gun violence. There are many in this crowd today that have loved ones or know someone impacted by gun violence. Gun violence does not discriminate and often times innocent people are caught in the crossfire and are senselessly being murdered in our communities.

Generational trauma is real and mental health services must continue to be a priority in our communities. 

One thing we all can do that only takes minimal effort is being a registered voter. Each and everyone of us should be registered and informed voters and then vote. Voting is a verb, it’s an action word. When voters don’t show up to vote or make the decision not to use the power of their voice … that allows those in power who are not our allies, to remain in power. 

Inaction and apathy will guarantee that things won’t change. and it certainly isn’t going to change if we don’t try. Voting is not a spectator sport. Let’s reverse the cycle and save our future. our votes are our voice. It’s not about me, it’s about we.

Have a voting plan for voting. Look at sample ballots at The Hamilton County Board of Elections. Then on election day, take your photo identification, which can be a free Ohio State identification if don’t have a drivers license, call the NAACP at 513 281-1900 if you need a ride to the polls or have questions about the election, and cast your ballot.

You can drop off absentee ballots at the Board of Elections at 4700 Smith Road in Norwood 45212.

I’m not here to uplift the powerful: I’m here to advocate for the powerless.

If you are not a member of the NAACP, why not? Membership is just $30 per year.

We need more social justice warriors to come forth and volunteer as we continue to build Black political, social and economic power, while advocating for equitable justice, free education, voting rights and health equality for all Americans. We are proud, we are powerful. 

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By Nico Ballón

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) last week received various honors and accolades at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) 2024 Annual Legislative Conference (ALC). Lee received four awards from various social justice organizations, including Planned Parenthood for America, Color of Change, National Women’s Law Center, and more.

“As this year’s ALC comes to an end, I was proud and honored to be a part of so many meaningful policy discussions, and I was humbled to receive so many meaningful awards,” said Lee. “As we stand at a pivotal moment in our nation’s history, it is crucial that we continue laying the foundation for critical reforms that will improve the health and safety of our communities. We carry on the legacy of those that came before us, and we must keep fighting for racial, social, and economic equity  for all.”

Congresswoman Lee also hosted panels during the Annual Legislative Conference that highlighted the need for health activism in the Black community, she also hosted a CBC Tech 2025 braintrust panel on artificial intelligence and Black lives. Congresswoman Lee serves as co-chair of the CBC’s Tech 2025 initiative, which seeks to diversify policy initiatives in the tech space with the Black community in mind. 

Lee received the following awards during CBCF’s ALC:

Howard University Alumni Association, Excellence in Truth and Service Award

This award recognizes a leader who embodies the tenants of the Howard University motto, Vertas et Utilitas. Howard University recognized Congresswoman Lee’s unyielding commitment to make the United States a better place for all people by uplifting Black communities and promoting Black progress across the country. 

Color of Change, SEIU, Community Change, Lifetime Achievement Award

This award recognized Congresswoman Lee’s achievements, significant milestones, and leadership in advocating for Black communities. 

Alliance for Justice, Champion for Safety and Justice 

This award recognized Congresswoman Lee for championing fairness, equality, and justice for all people in the United States and around the world, through the power of her elected office and as a community leader. 

Planned Parenthood, Reproductive Health Icon Award

This award recognized Congresswoman Lee’s strong, unwavering commitment to sexual and reproductive health, racial justice, and the work of Planned Parenthood. 

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By AFRO Staff

Graduation season is upon us! On May 5, Lincoln University, the first degree-granting historically Black college or university (HBCU), proudly held its 165th Commencement Ceremony. Over 400 undergraduate and graduate students were honored, marking the culmination of their academic journey and the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

The ceremony, held on Lincoln’s main campus, was a momentous occasion filled with joy, pride and celebration. Distinguished speakers for the event included Bryan Stevenson, the esteemed founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, who delivered the keynote address. Stevenson, known for his tireless advocacy for social justice, resonated deeply with Lincoln’s commitment to critical thought and equity.

Lincoln University President Brenda A. Allen, Ph.D., expressed her admiration for the esteemed speakers.

“Bryan Stevenson addressing our graduates at Lincoln University’s 2024 Commencement Ceremony stands as a testament to the university’s dedication to fostering critical thought and pursuing social justice,” said Allen.

The ceremony also bestowed honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees upon four remarkable individuals: Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, Cherelle Parker, of the class of 1994, Stevie Wonder and Bryan Stevenson himself. Each honoree has made indelible contributions to society, embodying the excellence and leadership that Lincoln University champions.

The commencement was not only a celebration of academic achievement but also a testament to the resilience and determination of its graduates.

Among them was AFRO Arts and Culture writer, Ericka Alston Buck, who received her degree in human services. Buck’s journey to graduation was particularly inspiring, having navigated the challenges of adult life, parenthood and the COVID-19 pandemic– all while pursuing her education. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and dedication.

“Lincoln University understands the needs of adult students. Being able to graduate while working full time and being a parent made this 20-year journey possible for me,” said Buck. “Receiving my degree on the same day that Stevie Wonder received his honorary doctorate made the moment all the more special. He is an iconic figure in the music industry and a champion for social causes.”

“He epitomizes the spirit of excellence and service that Lincoln University instills in its graduates,” Buck continued. “His presence added an extra layer of significance to an already momentous occasion.”

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Contributed

Pastor KZ Smith and First Lady Connie Smith are the recipients of the 2024 Black Family Reunion Family of the Year award. This recognition celebrates their exemplary leadership, dedication, and service to their community. As the senior pastor of Corinthian Baptist Church in Cincinnati, Pastor KZ Smith has been a prominent figure in the city’s religious and civic life, advocating for social justice, community empowerment, and the strengthening of family values. Together, with his wife First Lady Connie Smith, they have been instrumental in creating programs and initiatives that support and uplift the Back community in Cincinnati. The family’s commitment to service and their positive impact on the lives of others make them worthy recipients of this prestigious honor.

The 36th Annual Black Family Reunion celebration will take place in Cincinnati, Ohio, from August 15-18, 2024. This four-day event celebrates the historic strengths and values of the Black family and features free events such as a job fair, parade, concerts, and opportunities to support local Black-owned businesses. The celebration occurs at various locations around Cincinnati, including Fountain Square, Corinthian Baptist Church, Avondale, and Sawyer Point. It is one of Cincinnati’s largest family-focused events, drawing approximately 10,000 patrons each year.

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By Herald Staff

The post Mayor Pureval joins hundreds at annual MLK march for social justice appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

Atlanta, GA. (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – The King Center announced the honorees of the annual Beloved Community Awards ceremony. Co-hosted by Actors Dule’ Hill and Essence Atkins,  the ceremony will be on Saturday, January 13, at the Hyatt Regency, Atlanta. One of the marquee events of The King Holiday Observance, the ceremony will feature performances by Chrisette Michele, Andra Day, Stevie Mackey and Sons of Maestro, followed by an AfterGlow concert with Ronald Isley featuring The Isley Brothers. The awards ceremony will also stream on Facebook, YouTube, and at thekingcenter.org on January 15, at 5:30 p.m. EST.

The Beloved Community Awards recognizes national and international individuals and organizations that exhibit excellence in leadership, exemplify the tireless pursuit of social justice, and demonstrate a steadfast commitment to creating the Beloved Community. 

The 2024 Beloved Community Awards and Honorees:

Yolanda D. King Higher Ground honoree, Michael J. Fox, Actor and Advocate

Coretta Scott King Soul of the Nation honoree, Deloris Jordan (Mother of Michael Jordan), Advocate and Philanthropist

Beloved Community Social Justice honoree, Attorney Ben Crump

Christine King Farris “Legacy of Service in Education” honoree, Spelman College, accepted by Lovette Russell, Chair of the Spelman College Board of Trustees.

Beloved Community Humanitarian Award honoree, Scott Harrison, Founder and CEO of Charity Water

Salute to Greatness Corporate Social Impact honoree, Lowe’s, accepted by Marvin Ellison, Chairman and CEO

Beloved Community Environmental Justice Award honoree, Captain Planet Foundation, accepted by Leesa Carter-Jones, President & CEO

Beloved Community Technological Innovation honoree, Gitanjali Rao, Innovator, Author, STEM promoter

Beloved Community Youth Influencer honoree Sara Mora, Student, Storyteller, and Immigrant Rights Advocate

Beloved Community Civic Leadership honoree, Faith and Politics Institute, accepted by Rob Wilson-Black, President & CEO

Beloved Community Media Legacy of Service honoree, FOX 5 Atlanta, accepted by Bill Schneider, Vice President and General Manager

Purchase tickets for The Beloved Community Awards at BCA2024Tickets.  

Visit thekingcenter.org for the complete King Holiday Observance schedule, description of events, tickets, registration, and sponsorship opportunities.

To learn more about Kingian Nonviolence and the course work offered, visit the Nonviolence365Ò Training page here TKCnonviolence365-training.

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By Alex Stanton

City of Cincinnati

City of Cincinnati officials say they are honored to announce Brookline Ave. at the intersection of Jefferson Ave. in the Clifton neighborhood shall hereby receive the honorary, secondary name of “Louise Spiegel Way” in honor of Louise Spiegel and in recognition of her influence in the Cincinnati community. “Sue Wilke brought the idea of honoring Mrs. Spiegel to our office,” said Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney. Mrs. Spiegel, wife of Federal Judge Arthur Spiegel, challenged the status quo, and strived to empower African Americans, the Appalachian community, and women from all backgrounds. 

She was an early supporter in the 1950s of Cincinnati’s Appalachian population, a founder of the Urban Appalachian Council (UACC), and a recipient of the Urban Appalachian Council’s Kinship Award.    

She was equally concerned for the Black community, especially for equal opportunity in housing and education. Mrs. Spiegel also was a leader and builder of the Women’s City Club, promoting advocacy for social justice and civic improvement. 

She felt public policy was dominated by corporate interests while the civic sector was dormant. She teamed up with the consulting firm Applied Information Resources (Air, Inc.) to found Citizens for Civic Renewal (CCR). 

Mrs. Spiegel brought together diverse gatherings of activists to introduce them and their ideas to each other. Well into her 80s, she continued to gather diverse people for lunch on Egbert Avenue to talk about how to move power “from the suites to the streets.”    

Join in the unveiling of the street sign on December 1 at 2 p.m. at the intersection of Brookline Avenue and Jefferson Avenue in Clifton.

There will be remarks by Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney, Councilmember Mark Jefferys, Sue Wilke, Mike Maloney, Maureen Sullivan, Harriet Kaufman, Jeff Dey (President, Women’s City Club), Bill Woods (Co-founder, Applied Information Resources), Ed Burdell (Co-founder, Applied Information Resources), Terri Spiegel and Andy Spiegel.

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Provided by the Family

Wendell Porter Robinson Jr. was born on July 15, 1957, to the union of Wendell Porter Robinson, Sr., and Mary Richardson Robinson, in Greenville, Kentucky. He was raised with solid measures of love and discipline, and with a focus on and celebration of education. His father was a college professor, and his mother was a special education teacher. His parents also raised him to embrace the strong bonds and importance of family, and his priority as an adult was having his own family.
 
Mr. Robinson’s lifelong passion for social justice, Civil Rights, and intellectual and economic empowerment drove him personally and professionally. He approached life and its challenges with a focus on solutions rather than problems. He continually forged friendships with colleagues; provided advocacy for those in need; and developed winning strategies for the businesses and organizations he supported.
 
A Louisville native, Mr. Robinson was a life-long Cardinals basketball fan, and later became a fan of daughter Kellan’s alma mater, the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. He enjoyed jazz and musical artists such as Earth, Wind & Fire, and Sade. His favorite songs were “When Sunday Comes” by Daryl Coley and “One Thing” by Amerie, of course total opposites.
 
Wendell had an affable personality, but he was no pushover. He shared his opinions respectfully, but firmly. And if he really liked you, he would share his unique brand of humor with a twinkling eye and chuckle. Wendell made his friends and loved ones feel relaxed enough to be themselves in his company. As one friend said, “He was just a cool dude.” If he disagreed with you, he’d let you know – albeit diplomatically – and could change even the most stubborn person’s mind. 
 
The focus of Mr. Robinson’s life for the last 33 years was his wife, Angela. Their loving partnership started when they met Labor Day weekend at his family reunion at Lake Malone in September 1989. They married on June 9, 1990, and created a dynamic of great admiration and loving respect. He was a devoted and caring father and husband. His influence is evidenced in his children Nialani, Kellan, and Newman, who reflect their parents’ commitment to excellence, both in intellect and in faith. Loving, hanging out and supporting his family were his primary missions. He  loved going to his family reunions; playing backgammon with his son and cousins; cooking and baking for his family; and reading history and sci-fi books.

Wendell and Angela were raised Christian and to love Jesus Christ. The family have been members of Allen Temple AME for approximately 13.5 years. Faith is a cornerstone of their union and within their family. 
 
Wendell graduated from Seneca High School in Louisville, where he was a National Achievement Scholarship semi-finalist (Class of ‘75). He studied journalism at the University of Louisville, and he received a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership from the Union Institute & University in 2012.
 
Professionally, Mr. Robinson was a longtime “creative guru.” He worked for the Cincinnati Enquirer as a Senior Creative Artist, and served as Creative Director for the Cincinnati Herald. As a “creative guru,” He was a recipient of several awards for his creativity. He also maintained a successful freelance career as a Creative Director and Designer, and started his own business, designwerks, in 2008.  A couple of years ago, he and his son launched their own clothing brand, Undefined. The two worked closely together to create, market and launch the line.
 
Mr. Robinson was preceded in death on January 30, 2003 by his beloved father, Wendell Porter Robinson Sr., whom he regularly quoted. In turn, Wendell’s friends regularly quoted him. “Don’t freak out!” he would say in times of stress. 
 
Mr. Robinson leaves a loving family to cherish his memory: His devoted wife of 33 years, Angela Louise Robinson of Cincinnati; daughters Nialani Renay Robinson and Kellan Elayne Robinson; son Wendell Newman Robinson (Cincinnati); mother Mary R. Robinson (with whom he shares a birthday); sister Pattie Eva Crawford (Kevin) (Louisville); Aunt Patricia Robinson (Paducah); Uncle & Aunt, Edward “G” and Jean Robinson (Columbus), Father & Mother In-Love, Karl and Willa Weaver; Brother In-Love, Karl “Gerald” Weaver (Indianapolis);, a fur-grand-dog, Koko Snaq and a host of very close cousins and countless extended family, friends and acquaintances.

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