Hamilton County honors local leaders for Black History Month, recognizes educators, public-safety and reentry leaders

Hamilton County commissioners used their Feb. 5 legislative meeting to present a series of Black History Month proclamations recognizing local leaders in education, public safety, health outreach and reentry work.

President Stephanie Summer O'Dumas read a proclamation honoring Dr. Monica J. Posey, president of Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, noting her “more than three decades of distinguished service” at the college and citing leadership roles from assistant dean to president. “I started the tradition of Black History Month,” O'Dumas said, adding the board would “acknowledge a lot of different groups” throughout the year. Dr. Posey told the board she would “continue to work with the college even though I retire” and highlighted Cincinnati State’s role in graduating students who enter the local workforce.

Vice President Alicia Reiss presented a proclamation recognizing First Ladies for Health, a volunteer initiative that connects congregations to screening and prevention services. Reiss described the project as faith-based outreach that provides blood-pressure and cancer screenings, COVID and flu vaccinations, and mental-health resources; participants cited partnerships with Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Kroger, Mercy Health, TriHealth, Interact for Health, Humana and Cincinnati State Community College.

Commissioner Denise Driehaus introduced a proclamation for District Chief Carstel Winston of the Cincinnati Fire Department for 31 years of service and his role in the Hamilton County Addiction Response Coalition. Winston told commissioners the coalition’s work on harm-reduction training and EMS-based approaches helped improve continuity of care for people who overdose.

The board also proclaimed days in honor of Gregory D. Johnson, chief executive officer of the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority, and the late civil-rights activist Betty Daniels Rosemond. Johnson, who the proclamation credited with efforts to expand affordable housing and workforce connections, said he was humbled by the recognition. Family members of Rosemond thanked the board and urged the community to “know our history.”

Commissioner Driehaus presented a proclamation for Trina Jackson, director of the Hamilton County Office of Reentry, citing programs such as a reentry pod in the jail, a one-stop resource center, and national recognition that the office has received. Jackson said the office’s work is a team effort and described partnerships that help returning citizens access employment and housing.

The proclamations were presented in open session and were approved by voice vote. The recognition is ceremonial and does not change county policy or budgets.