Cincy Black Proud & Powerful

Azizah Nubia

Andrea Hall

Olivia Strawder

Carma Nance

Zion Henderson

Kennedi Parker

GeNiah Hughes

Egypt Howard

Ivy Staples

Ti'Quan Mays

Royana Hall

Nikita Anderson

Editor’s Note

The Cincy Black Travel Guide is Here!

This is a labor of love because I get to share my amazing city with so many people. Cincinnati is the land of FREEDOM especially for black people. It is here that you can thrive whether you have a business, wants to start a family or a new life. I love my city and I know you will too. Thank you for reading!

C I N C Y B L A C K T R A V E L

In the 1st Issue of Cincy Black, you will find interviews with the BFR Executive Director. Find out the newest night life spot set to open in OTR. New Affordable Housing is Available in Avondale.

BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN CINCINNATI FOR FOOD

SOUL SECRETS SOUL FOOD RESTURANT

Family restaurant and catering service that specializes in soul food dishes based on recipes passed down from our grandparents In the heart of OTR Cincinnati

JUST COOKING BBQ & SOUL FOOD

For over 10 years, Just Cookin BBQ has been a staple in the Cincinnati community, offering soul food favorites and mouth-watering BBQ dishes that keep customers COMING BACK

DID YOU KNOW?

“THE CAPITAL OF CORNHOLE”

This city is famed for the popular backyard game of cornhole, which is played both professionally and recreationally all over the world. Locals in the area gave rise to the American Cornhole Organization in 2005. [Source]

BLACK ROSE CAFE

Eat Drink Enjoy

Whatever the occasion, our tailored service will bring your vision to life

Come enjoy mouth watering Mexican cuisine

Avondale's Country Meat Co.

Written By: Zion Henderson

Country Meat Co. Market Place, a grocery store in Avondale. Tennel and Chanel Bryant had always planned to get into the grocery business and now that dream has materialized with the opening of their grocery store in the redeveloped Avondale Town Center.

The redeveloped Avondale Town Center on Reading Road has 15,000 square feet set aside for a grocery store option

The Bryants will split the space with the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio's Center for Social Justice

They hope the store, to be called The Country Meat Company Marketplace, will open later this year It finally means Avondale will no longer be a food desert

“There are not many places for them to get fresh food, fresh produce, or fresh meat," said Bryant in the couple's first interview about the new venture. "So, we felt like that was the best location in the city to put our next venture.”

“We want to break that cycle, where people have the choice to have a choice of fresh meat, choice of fresh produce,” added Chanel Bryant.

She said she wears multiple hats with their family business, including vice president of operations.

Construction inside the store has begun. The city of Cincinnati approved allocating $500,000 for tenant improvements to the dedicated space within the Avondale Town Center. They also anticipate hiring around 30 employees to work at the store.

In addition to fresh meats, produce, and dairy, the couple plans to include extra amenities like wine tastings and prepared meals to go

“Everything will be local," Chanel Bryant said "Like normal, we’ll go from the Tristate area Definitely will have some new up-and-coming entrepreneurs that want to get a shot in the grocery store We’ll also give them a shot in showcasing their items as well "

Community leaders see the store as becoming an anchor in the neighborhood and the spark to more development

BLACKMUSICWALK O F F A M E

OUR RECAP OF THE CINCINNATI BLACK MUSIC WALK OF FAME

The City of Cincinnati has been a cornerstone for Black Music for generations and now that Music legacy is displayed for the world to see. The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame is now open for the world to experience.

Created by the vision of Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece, what was once a lot full of rocks is now a digital interactive museum dedicated to Black Music.

The museum's grand opening took place in Cincinnati during the biggest week of the city that included major events such as Black Tech Week, Cincy Taste of Soul, and the Cincinnati Music Festival. The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame adds the icing on the cake in making Cincinnati the #1 Black Tourist Attraction of the Summer.

MUSIC LEGACY

The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame was founded and created by President Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece. The commissioner grew up in the music industry and later served as the deputy director of Ohio tourism, she introduced the idea on April 26th, 2021 at a press conference with diverse music and community stakeholders in front of an empty lot filled with gravel and rocks. She called for the creation of the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame to celebrate the legacy and untold stories of music artists, songwriters, producers, and musicians from Cincinnati, Hamilton County, and Southwest Ohio

Hamilton County Commission president and founder of the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame Alicia Reece announces the 2023 inductees.

C I N C I N N A T I

On July 21st, 2021 the idea was unanimously passed by the Hamilton County Ohio Board of Commissioners, creating an international state-of-the-art outdoor, interactive permanent tourism attraction and exciting music corridor on the Ohio River banks. The Cincy Black Travel Guide had the opportunity to visit Alicia and talk to her about her journey in the creation of the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame.

This year’s inductees include soul superstar Brown, who recorded some of his more iconic songs at King Records, as well as The Deele, an early 1980s R&B group featuring future superstars and local legends L A Reid and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds Also on the list is late Spinners (“Could It Be I’m Falling In Love”) singer Philippé Wynne and Louise Shropshire, who penned the original lyrics to what became the civil rights anthem “We Shall Overcome.”

The two previous classes included the first inductees, funk bass master Bootsy Collins, the Isley Brothers, gospel singer Dr Charles Ford and The Charms doo-wop singer Williams; the 2022 class featured Klymaxx/Snap! singer Penny Ford, hip-hop producer Hi-Tek (50 Cent, Snoop Dogg), R&B/jazz guitarist Wilbert Longmire and funk group Midnight Star

Hamilton County Commissioner President Alicia Reece & Music Legends Bootsy Collins and LA Reid

New LoVe Night Club Coming To Downtown Cincinnati

Written By: Andrea Hall

Entrepreneur Rico Grant is bringing a new nightclub to downtown Cincinnati later this year. Grant, who also owns Gallery at Gumbo and Cinema OTR, and now LoVe Nightclub placed right in the heart of OTR at 4th & Race Grant describes LoVe as chic, elevated, and sultry, with Tiffany blue accents, some modern art, and custom wallpaper. All the decor will be love-related and designed to immerse patrons in the feeling that they’re in an “oasis of love,” says a press release. TriVersity Construction and City Studios will be leading the design team.

“We’re pairing a nightclub with Grade A hospitality the way Jeff Ruby’s pairs a great steak with hospitality,” Grant said in the release. The club’s DJ booth will feature stateof-the-art sound and lighting, allowing those managing the space to create a different guest experience based on the crowd and the vibe of the evening.

Rico Grant is a well-known entrepreneur and has been dedicated to empowering people of color throughout the city of Cincinnati.

BLACK TECH WEEK TAKES BLACK TECH WEEK TAKES OVER CINCINNATI OVER CINCINNATI

Written By: Zion Henderson

With over 3,000 attendees, 100 speakers, and 50 workshops, Cincinnati was the center stage for the meeting of the minds of the most brilliant in Black tech.

Cincinnati resident and CEO of lightship foundation Candice Matthews-Bracken brought the conference from Miami to Cincinnati, with this being the second year, the conference is hosted here.

This year's keynote speaker was the multitalented Issa Rae, Rae, a writer, producer, entrepreneur, and founder of HOORAE shared her experiences and insights in a One-on-One panel as attendees filled the Cincinnati Music Hall.

“As a storyteller myself, there’s a section that starts with me and the stories I want to tell and the stories I want to get off my chest,” Rae said. Rae’s company has been instrumental in bringing stories of Black culture to the forefront. In the room full of tech entrepreneurs, she shared how she selects her projects and the criteria she looks for when deciding what stories to tell.

The One-on-One keynote conversation with Issa Rae encouraged Black tech innovators and entrepreneurs who seek to elevate in this industry by smartly pitching and tapping into financial resources available, from crowdfunding to investors.

“Her dedication to promoting diversity in the tech

CINCINNATI WAS THE CENTER STAGE FOR THE MEETING OF THE MINDS OF THE MOST BRILLIANT IN BLACK TECH.

industry along with her remarkable achievements in entertainment, truly embodies the spirit of solidarity and success so central to the Black Tech Week experience,” said Candice Matthews Brackeen, CEO, Lightship Foundation.

Black Tech Week is an annual conference driving innovation, connection, and collaboration across Black tech culture. Guests attend and participate in panel discussions, workshops, and presentations led by industry professionals, brand experts, and more.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN AVONDALE

The Avondale Development Corporation broke ground on the first phase of the Hale Avenue Townhomes project Thursday.

The new homes will serve as workforce homes, which means tenants must make no more than $34,000 a year to qualify for the townhomes

The Executive Director of the Avondale Development Corporation (ADC), Russ Hairston, says Avondale is the largest minority neighborhood in Cincinnati. For years, Hairston says the area has struggled with quality affordable housing.

So, his team from ADC teamed up with city leaders and a black-owned developer Kaiker Construction to create Hale Avenue, a three-phase project in Avondale.

Once complete, there will be 24 newly constructed townhomes located at the corner of Hale and Hallwood Avenues, all for sale as workforce housing Hairston says workforce housing means tenants must make at most 120 percent of the area median income, which he says is $34,000/year.

“AVONDALE IS THE LARGEST MINORITY NEIGHBORHOOD IN CINCINNATI.”

“The residents hear about all of the growth that’s happening,” explains Hairston. “The first thing that they wonder is how they are going to be able to afford to stay in our own neighborhood. This is part of that answer. Beautiful seven units of workforce housing development, which shows the majority that yes, you too can own one, and we hope this spearheads the drive for more and to ask for more housing.”

The housing development signifies a number of achievements for its coordinators, almost all of whom come from marginalized backgrounds. The townhomes are the first development led by Black women in Avondale, with Maria Collins of ADC and architect Bridget Harris, president of BTH Construction Delivery, at the helm. The project is also noteworthy for primarily being supported by entities owned and operated by people of color Kaiker Development & Construction, owned by Kai Lewars, is the general contractor for the project.

City Leaders, residents, and community stakeholders gather for the Have Ave Townhomes ribbon cutting

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

My name is Tephra Fields and the name of my organization is Built To Last Non-Profit Solutions

What Does Your Business Do?

We help nonprofits maximize their impact through the development of sustainable systems.

Are you from Cincinnati?

So I am originally from the great state, the peach state of Georgia I moved to Cincinnati in December of 2016 and how I got here is I was recruited by another organization and that brought me here and I’ve been here ever since.

What Inspired Your Business?

I was inspired to start Built To Last Non-profit Solutions because as a former executive director of several non-profits in Georgia, Northern Kentucky, and Cincinnati, Ohio I felt like I started in a place where I didn’t actually know I just kind of started. I’ve been working in non-profit organizations for 20 years and made a jump from a case manager into an executive leadership position and I was kind of thrown in even though I had you know, support around me and my organization I had to learn on the job and sometimes when starting a business, start a non-profit organization, you are learning on the job but if I had somebody that kind of walked with me to guide me, coach me through the process it would have been a little easier for me in the beginning but I am so appreciative for the journey. I actually work with several other other or being able to work with other executive directors and other non-profits in my job, I found that we were all dealing with a lot of the same things so even though we were wanting to help or we want to help the individuals and our clients the people we serve there’s also that foundational work of the organization that needs to be done and sometimes you don’t understand or even know so as a new person starting a non-profit, you want to start

something because you want to help but at the same time you don’t understand or may not even know that there’s the foundational work that needs to be completed like your incorporation paperwork, building a board of directors how to build a board of directors, the fund development piece, fundraising, the strategic planning, volunteer recruitment, donor recruitment, maintaining your donors, program management, program development there’s so much involved in starting a non-profit, maintaining that nonprofit because you want to sustain it, you want to go on for years and I think of when you start your nonprofit you think of you want to eradicate something, you want to help something and once you’ve eradicated that thing you transition and you move on to the next. You know I always think you want to work yourself out of a job and transition to something else but you have to be able to plan and prepare to transition to the next step Built To Last Non-profit Solutions is an organization that can help the executive director, that board, that staff plan for the next step. So I want to be that person that walks hand in hand with that organization as they make those changes.

What Are Looking Forward To For The Best Week In July?

So even though I’ve been here since 2016, this will be my very first music week. I’ve never been to Cincinnati Music Fest and I am just kind of ready to see all the people that come from all over the country to this event. I actually was talking to a potential client in another state and they mentioned that they were going to come here actually it was fun because they’re from Cincinnati so it’s like a homecoming for them and it’s kind of a celebration for those individuals that are interested in music to see the concerts and to see everybody get together and have a good time and then highlighting a lot of the businesses in the area, the food trucks, the people that make t-shirts I mean all is just a great time and just to hear the music and just being excited about such a great event.

What Impact do you wish your Business adds to the community?

My impact it that I will be able to help non-profits sustain and to help them with their foundational work and to help them last we want organizations to last we don’t want them to get to the two-year itch and then it’s like “I don’t want to do this anymore” because it can be hard there are three things that I think that a lot of non-profit directors or individuals that want to start a non-profit or if you run:

You have to give yourself grace, you have to be persistent, and you have to make sure that you are prepared for all these other things that can happen you know it could be good it could be bad but just make sure that you are prepared for it. So grace, persistence, and preparation are important and I want to help them make the impact to grow in the community and past one or two years and to just make sure that they are doing what they say they are going to do and follow their mission.

Where do you see your business in the next 5 years?

In the next five years, I plan to be able to expand my business to bring on to be a training opportunity for those students that are looking to learn grant writing, those individuals or students that are interested in event planning to be able to grow and train other individuals as they grow their organizations and to be like a training hub for you know many other smaller nonprofits as well as creating tools for larger nonprofits.

What do we need to know about your business?

We’re Black Owned I guess you can see it but it was just something that started from the heart and I’m actually in a happy place and doing the thing that

I love and that’s being able to help nonprofit executive directors because I’ve been where they’ve been I’ve gone through those blood sweat and tears and not knowing what to do next and you know “Who do I partner with” “Where is my next donor going to come from”, I’ve been that lone staff member to do all the work and I want to let you know individuals know that you’re not alone, it’s not just happening to you. There are other nonprofits out there that go through those growing pains it doesn’t matter if you 5 years old as an organization, 10 years old as an organization it is a natural progression you are going to change after you know 2 years, 4 years which is why it has to be important to develop a strategic plan to prep you for those changes that are going to happen because the world is changing around us and I want to be able to grow outside of Cincinnati I want to be able to grow outside of Ohio and to build up those smaller nonprofits so that they can grow as well So if you’re looking for assistance with Built To Last Non-profit Solutions, if you need grant writing, fund development, program development, organizational development, board training, executive director coaching we can be reached by calling us, emailing us, messaging us on our website www.btlns.com Facebook page you can reach by social media at BTLNS Cincy and also you can give us a call at (513)713-0222 and if you would like to send me an email you can reach me directly at tfields@btlns.com

MORE THAN A BRAND The Black Family Reunion

CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY AND FOCUS ON THE FUTURE OF THE COMMUNITY SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH BFR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TRACEY ARTIS

The Black Family Reunion (BFR) returns to Cincinnati this weekend for its 35th year.

BFR executive director, Tracey Artis, says the annual celebration has been able to outlast similar events in other cities because of a combined effort from businesses, local government, and the Black community itself.

"Thirty-five years ago, 26 cities had the Black Family Reunion. We're one of the only original groups left. Rockford, Ill., has a Black Family Reunion and Atlanta is bringing theirs back," Artis said.

This year's theme is "Proud & Powerful" to represent the strength of the Black family in all of its forms.

Artis says this theme holds special importance because it inspired the Black Family Reunion's founder, Dorothy Height, to start the event decades ago

"When Dr. Height started the Black Family Reunion it was because she heard a journalist say the Black family was becoming extinct," Artis said. "She wasn't going to rest until she found that journalist to make sure she shared with him that it

maybe a grandmother raising her grandchildren, or it may be two sisters raising their children. The family unit may look different, but it's still a family

The event is one of the remaining of the original cities to host them and organizers say it will be better than ever.

From the parade through Avondale to Sunday Service and the luncheon on Fountain Square, Cincinnati's Black Family Reunion is one of Cincinnati's largest family-focused events

The event brings communities and corporations together to focus on the "historic strengths and values of the Black family," organizers said in a press release.

The 2023 Black Family Reunion has nearly 50 major sponsors including the Cincinnati Reds, P&G, Tri-Health, Cincinnati Children's, and McDonald's.

It's among the few gatherings of its kind left in the country and one of the most popular with more than 10,000 people expected to flock to the Tri-State from across the Midwest

SOUL SECRETS

FoodForTheSoul

When it comes to Cincinnati and food there are a number of place you can go for a great mean But if there was a #1 Go To Soul Food restaurant to visit in Cincy then Soul Secrets is the place Named #1 for their delicious fried chicken, centered Downtown between Nostalgia and OTR Cinema Soul Secrets has been known to serve some of the best southern inspired dishes that will leave you wanting more.

Cincy Black travel had the opportunity to meet the owner of Soul Secrets and discuss why her restaurant is Cincinnati's newest gem.

Q: Tell us more about yourself and what started your business?

Candice: My name is Candice Holloway, owner of Soul Secrets Soul Secrets started as an opportunity for me to connect with my teenage daughter who was dealing with depression I began baking recipes that my grandmother shared with me to connect with her, it was an opportunity for me to create a safe space for her to open up, as well as teach her recipes that had been passed down by my great-great-grandmother Food brings families closer, it’s a way to connect and share.

Q: Your logo has a small red bird sitting on the U in your logo. What does that represent?

Candice: It's Red Cardinal Bird and it was important that we got to fit that into the logo. Growing up Red Birds were always symbolic of an Ancestral Spirit.

So it was important to me that it was included in the logo especially with the business being built from my grandmother's recipes. Throughout this journey of opening up our storefront, there would always be a red bird around me

Q: I love the ancestral connection How important is it for you to incorporate that with your business?

Candice: We were very intentional in using photographs that are on the walls. They include pictures of my great-grandmother, grandmother, and my mom. This was my way of being able to pay homage to them through the business. I remember growing up in church and my grandmother would be cooking for some gathering for the community Back then she didn't have the opportunity to start her own restaurant so having her included in this way means a lot to me I am so grateful that she took the time to share these things with me that I can share with our city

Q: Why was OTR a prime place for you to open your business?

Candice: We started at Findley Market. Being Downtown with all of the revitalization happening here. My father was very big on 2nd chance hiring, so it was my mission to bring my business here That way we can create jobs for our community and help give others 2nd chances 500% of my staff lives within walking distance from our establishment I also love that we are right next to Nostalgia and OTR Cienma is right across the street its an amazing vibe, and I had to be a part of it.

Q: If someone was new to Cincinnati and it was their first time at Soul Secrets what would you suggest they try first?

Candice: Definitely our catfish We were also voted best Fried Chicken in the Tri-State so try the fried chicken and our mac & cheese is top tier We also have desserts some of my favorites are our Banana Pudding and pound cake Our menu is fantastic you won't go wrong with anything you try on our menu