Having an Impact
YWCA 24th Annual Racial Justice Breakfast Tuesday, Oct. 8, 8 a.m.
Music Hall, 1241 Elm St.
Doors open at 7:30 a.m.
At this year’s Racial Justice Breakfast, YWCA Greater Cincinnati will be honoring two racial justice champions.
The theme during this election year is “Power of the People’s Vote.” The breakfast is an key part of the YWCA's mission to educate the community about the social changes necessary to end systemic racism.
“We have to acknowledge racial injustice and work to change it. For 24 years, the Racial Justice Breakfast has educated our local community on key racial justice issues and sparked attendees to act,” said Rickell Howard Smith, president and CEO of YWCA. “Our voices have power, and this year we’re educating and activating the community to use our voice at the polls.”
The keynote speaker is Angela Rye, an award-winning host, social justice advocate, lawyer, commentator and self-described “empowermenteur.”
Rye’s no-holds-barred commentary and real talk about social justice, politics, culture and history sparks much-needed conversation about the state of America. She is a partner with Charlamagne Tha God and executive producer Chris Morrow on iHeartMedia’s new political podcast network, Reasoned Choice Media. Rye co-hosts its flagship podcast, Native Land Pod, with Andrew Gillum and Tiffany D. Cross, where they discuss the global impact of politics, the behind the scenes of the cable news industry and more.
The YWCA will also be celebrating the 2024 Racial Justice Breakfast honorees.
Eileen Cooper Reed has spent her life dedicated to the improvement of the human condition, particularly for children and families of color. After graduating from the University of Cincinnati College of Law, she served at the US Court of Appeals before settling in as a Juvenile Court Referee.
In 1993, Reed opened the Cincinnati office of the Children’s Defense Fund before assuming the helm of the Ohio office of CDF.
Reed's devotion to service led to her election to the City of Cincinnati Board of Education where she served two four-year terms. There, she was elected to the Executive Committee of the Council for Great City Schools, the preeminent organization committed to urban education. At CCGCS, she chaired the National Advisory Committee on Black Males.
Since her tenure on the Board of Education, Reed founded the Intersections Group, to advance conversations that matter: acknowledging and examining the intersections of racial equity in community.
Reed has served on numerous boards including the SCMinistry Foundation, Interact for Health, Xavier University President’s Advisory Council and the Mayor’s Commission on Children. She is currently Chair of the Board of Youth at the Center and Whole School Leadership and is a member of the board of the Home Ownership Center of Cincinnati. She is also an original member of the All-In Cincinnati Core Team.
Reed acknowledges her success is due in part to the support of her husband, Jim Reed, her six children, her 15 plus grandchildren, one great-granddaughter and her partner advocates in community.
Dr. Meredith Shockley-Smith, executive director of Cradle Cincinnati and assistant field professor at the University of Cincinnati Medical School is the founding director of Queens Village and a former professor of Black studies and women’s and gender Studies.
She applies her passion for Black studies and women and gender studies beyond the classroom in efforts to build stronger, more equitable relationships to benefit the greater community. Meredith received her Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati in Educational Studies and was formerly the director of women’s and black studies at Northern Kentucky University. As executive director of Cradle Cincinnati, she seeks to bring together partners, community, and medical professionals to co-create sustainable solutions that increase equity, lift Black women’s leadership, and lower infant mortality and disparities across Cincinnati.
Dr. Smith's dedication to service goes beyond her professional roles. She served as the honorary chair of the 2023 Dress for Success Fashion Show and is a valued member of several boards, including the National Board of Directors for Public Allies and Greenlight Fund.
Since 2001, attendees at the annual Racial Justice Breakfast experience in-depth discussion of racism’s personal and community-wide effects and hear from speakers who have had a national impact on civil rights. The event also celebrates local changemakers with the Racial Justice Awards and provides approved CLE credit.