Cincy’s Diversity

A region built with many backgrounds

Population

The Cincy Region combines a rich history and diverse, multicultural heritage, with midwestern sensibility and southern charm, making Cincy culture like no other, and it’s because of the people that live there.

The 2020 Census found Cincinnati's total population sitting at nearly 310,000, with roughly 52% of that number composed of multicultural residents.

African Americans make up 40% of the city's diverse population, followed by the Latino community at 5%. Notably, the Latino demographic has experienced a good deal of growth over the last decade, with nearly 40,000 Latinos moving to the metro-Cincinnati region between 2010 and 2020.

Advancing diversity throughout our region

As home to seven Fortune 500 and eleven Fortune 1,000 companies, Cincy regularly welcomes diverse new residents recruited to the area by way of these global corporations. Additionally, because these same companies are committed to having a supply base that resembles their increasingly diverse customer base, our region has distinguished itself nationally as the site of corporate leaders in the area of minority business development and community commitment.

Cincinnati-area corporations and non-profit organizations are making several newsworthy strides to ensure Cincinnati remains a welcoming and diverse region:

A Cincinnati-area Corporation is included among the Top 50 Companies for Diversity

In 2022, Procter & Gamble was included on DiversityInc’s list of Top 50 Companies for Diversity, an achievement determined by a company's performance in diversity recruitment, advancement, and minority-business development. Procter & Gamble has appeared on this annual list 17 times since 2001.

Freedom Center Board Representation

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (www.nurfc.org) is a one-of-a-kind museum built on the banks of the Ohio River, working to inspire today's civil rights movement and promote understanding through exhibits, programs, research, and interactive experiences. The Freedom Center’s board is composed of a variety of local business leaders, ranging from Kroger and Procter & Gamble to Fifth Third Bank. Representation and participation on this board show commitment from some of the region’s largest corporations to the overall mission of the Freedom Center. 

Visit Cincy partners with the African American Chamber of Commerce

In 2008, these two organizations entered into an agreement to connect members of the African American Chamber of Commerce with conventions booked into the Duke Energy Center. This common-sense arrangement expands the range of services available to incoming conventions while increasing opportunities for our community's African American-owned businesses.

Government officials

Stephanie Summerow Dumas, Commission President, Hamilton County

Ms. Summerow Dumas was elected in 2018 to become a Hamilton County Commissioner. This election made her the first African-American Commissioner in the history of Hamilton County. In addition, she became the first African-American Woman Commissioner in the history of the State of Ohio.

Alicia Reece, Commissioner, Hamilton County

The Honorable Alicia Reece, Hamilton County Commissioner, made history as the first woman and African American to win city, state, and county races in Hamilton County. She is an experienced 20-year public servant who has held many roles on behalf of the citizens in the State of Ohio. She has won seven elections at the local and state levels and was the youngest woman to ever win a seat in Cincinnati City Council’s history.

Dr. Lakshmi K. Sammarco, Hamilton County Coroner

A native Cincinnatian, Dr. Sammarco is the Hamilton County Coroner and a board-certified neuroradiologist who is in clinical practice in Cincinnati, Ohio. She founded and runs NeuroRadPro LLC. Dr. Sammarco’s company provides specialized consulting services in neuroradiology and general radiology for large and small cities across the United States. Dr. Sammarco is currently licensed in nine states

Charmaine McGuffey, Sheriff, Hamilton County

Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey is a 33-year veteran of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and has held the rank of Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and Major prior to being elected Sheriff in November 2020. Sheriff McGuffey is the highest ranking woman and the first openly gay person in the history of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

Aftab Pureval, Mayor of Cincinnati

Born in Xenia, Ohio, Aftab Pureval was elected the 70th mayor of Cincinnati on January 4, 2022, becoming the first Asian American to hold this office. Pureval previously served as the Hamilton County clerk of courts, and during his term, implemented various new policies in his office that raised the minimum wage and protected LGBTQ+ employees from discrimination. He currently lives in Clifton with his wife, Whitney, and two sons, Bodhi and Rami.  

Council Member Jan-Michelle Kearney

Jan-Michele was born in Cincinnati and is a proud graduate of Cincinnati Public Schools (Rockdale Elementary and Walnut Hills High School). Her father, Dr. Luther J. Lemon, was a family physician for more than 50 years, and her mother, Elizabeth M. Lemon, was a CPS teacher. She is honored to serve the residents of the city she loves.

Victoria Parks, President Pro Tem, Cincinnati

A life-long Cincinnatian, Victoria previously served as Todd Portune’s Chief of Staff from 2016-2019 before being appointed to fill his spot on the Commission following his retirement. Parks has a 30-year history of working in corporate America, as well as experience with non-profit organizations within the Cincinnati community. She is also a veteran of the United States Air Force, having served honorably from 1976 – 1980.

Meeka Owens, Councilmember, Cincinnati

Born and raised in Avondale, Meeka Owens attended Miami University for her undergraduate degree, followed by Xavier University for her Masters's in Education. She is currently the Chair of the Climate, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee, one of the first local government committees in the nation to prioritize climate change. She also sits on the Budget and Finance Committee and serves as Vice Chair of the Equitable Growth and Housing Committee.

Reggie Harris, Councilmember, Cincinnati

A retired professional ballet dancer, trained clinical social worker, and licensed therapist, Reggie Harris was appointed to the Cincinnati City Council in 2021. On City Council, Harris serves as the chair of the Equitable Growth and Housing Committee. He comes from a background of working with state and local campaigns, nonprofits, educators, and healthcare providers on issues related to mental health, LGBTQIA+ equality, and social policy.

Scotty Johnson, Councilmember, Cincinnati

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Scotty Johnson graduated from Woodward High School, then Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Law, minoring in Psychology. He also attained certification in Race Relations from Harvard University. Scotty Johnson honorably served the Cincinnati Police Department for 33 years and is passionate about achieving quality and impartial service for every citizen of Cincinnati. 

Cecil Thomas, Senator, State of Ohio

Senator Cecil Thomas was elected in November 2014 to serve Ohio’s 9th Senate district, which includes parts of Cincinnati, St. Bernard, Elmwood Place, Norwood, Gold Manor, Hollydale, Columbia Township, Silverton and Springfield Township. Senator Thomas grew up in the West End neighborhood of Cincinnati and previously served in the Cincinnati Police Department for 27 years, as well as on the Cincinnati City Council. 

Catherine D. Ingram, Representative, State of Ohio

As a public servant, university instructor, realtor, neighborhood leader, mom, and grandmother, Catherine Ingram knows how much the decisions made in Columbus personally impact all of us.

Catherine Ingram has been a member of the Cincinnati Board of Education for over 20 years, having served as both president and vice president. Rep. Ingram has served on numerous board committees and, for many years, in a leadership role as Finance Committee chair.

Sedrick Denson, Representative, State of Ohio

State Representative Sedrick Denson (D-Cincinnati) is a third-generation Cincinnatian who currently represents Ohio’s 33rd House District and is currently the Southwest Ohio Director for the Ohio Environmental Council. In addition to his work at the OEC, Rep. Dension is also the Political Action Chair for Greater Cincinnati National Action Network, and Government Affairs Chair for African American Chamber of Commerce.

Michelle Williams, Mayor Pro Tem, Covington, Kentucky

Mayor Pro Tem Michelle Williams was first elected to the Covington City Commission in 2012 and re-elected in 2016 and 2018. Williams attends Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio. She is majoring in aviation technology, studying the use and management of drones.

Ron Washington, Mayor Pro Tem, Covington, Kentucky

Born and raised in Covington, Kentucky, Ron Washington attended Holmes High School before graduating from the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training Police Academy in Richmond, Ky., and the FBI National Academy at Quantico, Va. Washington became the first African American officer to serve on the police force in Florence, Kentucky – eventually assuming the role of Chief Deputy in the Kenton County Sheriff’s Office. Washington played a major role in the fight against the heroin/opioid epidemic and founded one of the largest medication-assisted treatment centers in Kentucky. He was elected to the Covington Board of Commissioners in November of 2020.

Community leaders

Alfonso Cornejo

President and a founding member of the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA. Mr. Cornejo is also an independent Human Resources consultant who works with regional companies in their Hispanic workforce development efforts.

Eric Kearney

As President of the Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce, Eric is responsible for cultivating strategic partnerships and alliances with the purpose of strengthening minority businesses and growing the business community as a whole. Kearney is a lifelong Cincinnatian and currently resides in the city with his wife, Jan-Michele Kearney, and their two children, Celeste and Asher

Anthony Munoz

Now retired from the Cincinnati Bengals, where he spent his entire 13-year career, Mr. Munoz is a member of pro football's Hall-of-Fame, and now runs the Anthony Munoz Foundation, which helps Cincinnati-area youth.