The inaugural class of “We are Making Black History” honorees are, from left, Kick Lee, Dr. Whitney Gaskins, Means Cameron, Kenneth L. Parker, Brian Lamb, Barbara Turner and Cathy Bernardino Bailey. Photo by Adam Leigh-Manuell and Erin Leeper of Blackthorne Studio.
By Rich Walburg
Cincinnati USA
Regional Chamber
The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber will recognize seven Black leaders throughout February as part of the “We Are Making Black History” series. During each week of Black History Month, the Chamber will share the stories of African American leaders currently making change in our region. The tribute will culminate at the Cincinnati Chamber Annual Dinner on February 28.The inaugural class of “We are Making Black History” honorees includes:
Cathy Bernardino Bailey is the first woman and first African American to lead the Greater Cincinnati Water Works Department.
Means Cameron is the owner/operator of BlaCkOWned™ Outerwear, a brand designed to transcend race, generation, and location. This same concept is the basis of Cameron’s new venture blaCk Coffee Lounge, which he envisions as a local ‘culture shop’ serving great coffee.
Dr. Whitney Gaskins is the assistant dean of Inclusive Excellence and Community Engagement – and the only African American female currently teaching in the faculty of the University of Cincinnati College of Engineering and Applied Science. She is the founder of The Gaskins Foundation, a non-profit organization that educates and empowers the African American community.
Brian Lamb is executive vice president and head of Wealth & Asset Management for Fifth Third Bank.
Kick Lee is a music producer and founder of the Cincinnati Music Accelerator, which builds entrepreneurs through the art of music while working to put an end to starving artists.
Kenneth L. Parker is an assistant United States attorney with the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, serving as chief of the criminal division.
Barbara Turner is the first woman and person of color to be president and COO of Ohio National Financial Services.