The Voice of Black Cincinnati

06/17/2025

🍎What if summer meant no child had to go hungry?

From Avondale to Fairfield, Cincinnati’s free food sites are giving families the support they need with fresh, nutritious meals for kids. These programs are vital, and they’re waiting to help.

Learn more and find resources at vobc.co/SummerFood

Food insecurity is a serious problem in Cincinnati. Make sure your child doesn't go hungry and check out these free summer food sites.

06/17/2025

A few pictures from our Miss Juneteenth film premiere and African-themed marketplace. The winners of our best-dressed contests received tickets to shows at Riverbend and Ludlow Garage. Thank you to all who attended!

06/17/2025

Black History in the Making - Kala Gibson (Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer - Fifth Third Bancorp)

Although we celebrate Black men daily, this month, we acknowledge Black men who help make Cincinnati a wonderful place to live, work, play, and worship.

Kala Gibson is Fifth Third Bancorp's executive vice president and chief corporate
responsibility officer.

He oversees the Bank's corporate citizenship work, which includes Community Development Banking, Community Impact Banking, the Community Reinvestment Act, Inclusion, and Sustainability.

Additionally, Kala serves as chairman of the Fifth Third Foundation's distribution committee and the Bank's Corporate Sustainability Committee. He is also a founding member of the Bank's Executive Diversity Leadership Council.

Kala joined Fifth Third in 2011 as a business
banking executive for Eastern Michigan.
He became the Bank's head of Business Banking in 2013, overseeing the division's
strategic planning, operations, sales force, credit fulfillment, and product development.

In 2020, he led the Bank's Paycheck Protection Program lending. In 2021, he led the
acquisition of Provide Inc.

Kala started his career at Comerica Bank in Detroit and has more than 30 years of experience in business banking and credit administration.

He currently chairs the National Minority Supplier Development Council and is a member
of the National Urban League Board of Directors. He also serves as a leader on several
nonprofit boards, including MORTAR, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and the Charles H. Wright Museum.

Kala is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

06/17/2025

Black History in the Making - Melvin Gravely (Executive Chair - Triversity Construction)

Although we celebrate Black men daily, this month, we acknowledge Black men who help make Cincinnati a wonderful place to live, work, play, and worship.

Melvin J. Gravely, II, is the Executive Chair of TriVersity Construction, a Cincinnati, Ohio-based commercial construction company.

TriVersity, one of the largest Black-owned businesses in Greater Cincinnati, specializes in providing construction services to large, complex organizations with ongoing construction needs.

Under Gravely's leadership since 2011, the firm has grown consistently and built a performance-based reputation.

Gravely has written nine books, including When Black & White Makes Green and his latest,
Dear White Friend: The Realities of Race, The Power of Relationships, and Our Path to
Equity.

Mel graduated from Mount Union University with a BS in Computer Science, holds an MBA
from Kent State University, and has a Ph.D. from the Union Institute & University.

He has received several awards and distinctions, including the Larry Albice Entrepreneurship
Award, Women Mentor of the Year, Forty Under Forty Award, multiple IBM 100% Clubs, the
Men of Honor Award, and the 2020 Carl H. Linder Award for Entrepreneurial and Civic
Spirit.

Among his many contributions to our community. Mel led the 2025 Artswave Campaign and raised more than $12M for local arts organizations. He is also a proud member of Okega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

He is married to Chandra (Webb) Gravely, a physician with UC Health. They live in
Cincinnati, Ohio, with three adult children and one granddaughter.

06/16/2025

🖤 Curious about the Black changemakers who shaped Cincinnati and beyond?
The Cincinnati Museum Center spotlights inspiring lives from Olympians and porters to doctors, cave explorers, and entrepreneurs, who transformed their communities and the world. These exhibits are more than history; they’re a celebration of strength, brilliance, and legacy. LEARN MORE: vobc.co/CMC

06/16/2025

Today is the day. We hope to see you there. Vendors with African-inspired goods. Best-dressed contest with winners and prizes. A great film to set off your Juneteenth Celebrations!

06/16/2025

Black History in the Making - Carl Satterwhite (President/Owner of RCF Group)
Although we celebrate Black men daily, this month, we acknowledge Black men who help make Cincinnati a wonderful place to live, work, play, and worship.

Carl Satterwhite is the president/owner of RCF Group, which has convenient locations in Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Louisville. RCF Group specializes in providing tailored and comprehensive workplace solutions, gaining insights through listening sessions to understand your business culture, needs, and challenges.

RCF Group is a National Minority Supplier Development Council Corporate Plus Member, recognized as one of fewer than 150 minority businesses endorsed by the NMSDC in this capacity.

Carl serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for several professional organizations, including the Fifth Third Cincinnati Board of Advisors and Cincinnati Market President Presidents Kitchen Cabinet, Key Bank Great Lakes Board of Advisors, African American CEO Roundtable President, Black Leadership Forum President, International Fellowship of Chaplains Board of Directors, Anthony Munoz Foundation Board of Directors, Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council Board of Directors, Cincinnati Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee Vice Chair, and Cincinnati Leadership Advisory Council Member.

Carl and Scott Robertson co-chaired the 2023 ArtsWave campaign and are finalists for the Entrepreneur of the Year® 2024 East Central Award. Carl earned a Stationary Engineering certification from the University of Cincinnati. He and his wife, Dawn, have two sons, Brice and Cameron, and three grandchildren, Zoey, Braylen, and Reid. They reside in Symmes Township, Ohio.

06/16/2025

Wiz Khalifa, Sean Paul, and Da Baby Good Vibes Only Tour 🎤
📅 July 12 – 6:30 PM
📍 Riverbend Music Center
🔗 MORE INFO: vobc.co/GoodVibesOnly

See Wiz Khalifa and Sean Paul at Riverbend Music Center on July 12. The show will feature DaBaby, Chevy Woods, Fedd the God, and DJ Bonics.

06/16/2025

ATTN: Top Fans
Wiz Khalifa and Sean Paul Ticket Giveaway
Follow the rules in the comments to see if you are eligible to win!

06/15/2025

Please pray for the family of Torell Hemphill, the 35-year-old who was found in the 800 block of Lincoln Avenue late last night suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to UC Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.

Anyone with information that can help this homicide investigation is encouraged to submit an anonymous tip here: vobc.co/TIPLINE

06/15/2025

Please pray for the family of Charles Smith, the 55-year-old found last night in the 1700 block of Elmore Ave. suffering from a gunshot wound. He died at the scene. 🙏🏽

06/15/2025

Black Dads. 😍🥰😘❤