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Hamilton County honors community leaders for work on maternal and infant health
Summary
Hamilton County Commissioners presented Cradle Cincinnati—s annual "Champions for Change" awards Sept. 23, recognizing six community leaders and public-health partners for work to reduce infant mortality and support mothers and babies.
Hamilton County Commissioners on Sept. 23 recognized six local advocates and public-health professionals as Cradle Cincinnati—s 2025 "Champions for Change," highlighting community-led efforts to lower the county—s infant mortality rate.
Cradle Cincinnati Associate Director Lauren Everett told commissioners the collaborative effort began in 2013 to address an unusually high infant mortality rate and that "there's still more to be done." She introduced the awardees and said the annual recognition highlights people "who are driving this mission forward."
The honorees included Jacqueline Presley of Cherished Hearts, recognized as the county—s 2025 champion for healthy families for her work as a doula, midwife and postpartum-support facilitator; Ania Nelson, program director of Keeping Teen Moms in School, named community activist champion; Joy Bournes, a doctoral candidate working with local maternal-health groups, named champion of knowledge; Sarah Huber of Hamilton County Public Health, named safe-sleep champion for her work on fetal and infant mortality review; Amanda Lekalski of Cincy Postpartum, named champion for better care; and Dr. Natasha Connor of the Black Collaborative Inc., named champion for equity.
Award presenters and several honorees stressed community-centered approaches. In her remarks Joy Bournes said, "I will continue to fight for healthier outcomes for mothers and babies," attributing her work in part to lived experience and research partnerships. Sarah Huber, whose fetal‑infant mortality review work led staff to identify nursing pillows as a sleep-safety risk, told the commissioners: "Data tells you the problem, but your community tells you the solution." Amanda Lekalski said simply, "When mom is taken care of, baby is taken care of."
Cradle Cincinnati and the commissioners emphasized the awards as part of ongoing outreach and prevention work rather than a one-time intervention. The program includes partner organizations, community leaders, and county public-health staff; Everett said the annual awards both recognize volunteers and inform the public about persistent gaps in maternal and infant health.
The commissioners and awardees concluded the presentation with photos and indicated the county will continue to work with Cradle Cincinnati and partner organizations on maternal and infant health initiatives in coming months.
