Tiara Ross sworn in as Columbus City Council member in faith‑centered ceremony
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Summary
Tiara Ross took the oath of office at a ceremony in Columbus City Council Chambers, where faith leaders, elected officials and colleagues praised her housing advocacy and vowed support for her term. Speakers highlighted Ross’s track record on tenant advocacy and urged courage in office.
Tiara Ross was sworn in as a member of the Columbus City Council during a ceremony at Columbus City Council Chambers, where Judge Laurel Beatty administered the oath and the new councilmember pledged to "support the constitution of the United States, the constitution of the state of Ohio, the charter and ordinances of the city of Columbus."
The ceremony—framed by city officials and faith leaders as an homage to Ross’s faith and community work—included endorsements from City Attorney Zach Klein and personal testimonials from longtime friends and colleagues. Klein praised Ross’s experience in the city attorney’s office, saying she "knows public policy and how public policy meets the law," and recounted recruiting her to public service in 2017.
Dr. Olivia Nathan, who introduced herself as a longtime friend, offered a personal endorsement: "My name is doctor Olivia Nathan and I am so proud to be here tonight to celebrate Columbus's newest city councilwoman, Tiara Nicole Ross," and said Ross has a record of listening and standing with neighbors. Nathan also told the room that Ross "stood firm" in the face of "smear attempts" during the campaign.
Steve Dunbar, who described working alongside Ross on housing matters, pointed to the Colonial Village project as an example of hands‑on work and said it involved "500 plus units," praising Ross’s willingness to be on site with tenants and police at all hours. Those testimonials formed the core of speakers’ argument that Ross’s record of neighborhood advocacy and tenant defense equips her for council service.
At the oath, Judge Laurel Beatty administered the pledge; Ross recited the oath, promising to "faithfully, honestly and impartially discharge the duties of the office of member of Columbus city council."
Speakers used the event to connect Ross’s swearing‑in to broader civic issues. One speaker framed Ross’s role in the context of efforts on maternal and infant health and civil‑rights work, and said she should "lead with courage and humility." The claim that Ross would be the council’s only Black woman was made from the podium; that assertion is reported here as attributed to the speaker at the ceremony.
The program closed with a benediction from Councilwoman Joyce Beatty and an invitation to attendees to celebrate. No council votes or formal policy actions took place at the event; it was a ceremonial swearing‑in and public welcome for the newly sworn member.