13 Flavor Makers.
One Mission. One Great City!

As a Cincinnati native, Maria Lees-Dunlap is committed to making our community a better place. After a 59-day hospital stay with her daughter Vivian, her life took on new purpose. Leaving the hospital without Vivian, Maria wanted to be a support to other families while their child received medical care. The response to that desire is Reviv Family Support Foundation. At Reviv, families can receive practical and emotional support while navigating life during and after their child's medical diagnosis. Since the inception of Reviv in 2014, over 6,000 families have been impacted by its mission. With our community's continued support, Reviv will continue to be a part of families’ medical journeys with their children and a staple of what makes Cincinnati special. Maria lives on the West Side with her husband and seven children.

Celebrating his 16th season working with The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT), Roderick Justice is the artistic director of the nation’s oldest children’s theatre. He’s a proud member of The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and was recognized as one of The Cincinnati Business Courier’s Forty Under 40 in 2020. His work is driven by a passion for storytelling and the impact arts have in childhood development. An award-winning director, choreographer, actor, costume designer and theatre educator, Roderick has dedicated his life to exercising childhood imaginations. Since becoming artistic director of TCT in 2015, he has produced and commissioned over two dozen new musicals, plays and world-premiere adaptations. Outside of TCT, Roderick shares his passion as a guest artist, director and choreographer for other organizations, including many in the region, such as his alma mater, Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts (SOTA), the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA), the Commonwealth Theatre Center, The Carnegie, Cincinnati Landmark Productions, and The Lincoln Amphitheatre in Lincoln City, Indiana. Some of his favorite credits include Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins JR. (Broadway World Award), Legally Blonde (LCT Award), Church Girls, I Love a Piano (Acclaim Award), Seussical (LCT Award), Urinetown (Acclaim Award), Jesus Christ Superstar (CEA Nomination), Spamalot (LCT Nomination), The Top Job (off-Broadway) and The Velveteen Rabbit (Telly Award-Directing Online Content and Broadway World Award-Choreography). Off stage, he and his partner Ian are enjoying the renovation of their historic Swiss Chalet-style home in North Avondale and sharing the journey through their Instagram @Swiss_Misters.

Gee Horton is a Cincinnati-based, self-trained hyperrealist visual artist whose artistic practice began roughly three years ago. He earned a bachelor’s in psychology from Thomas More University in 2006 and a master’s in social work from Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville in 2008. He often incorporates his education and life experiences into his art to achieve a kind of power that for many triggers emotional associations. In the summer of 2020, Horton left his job in the non-profit sector to focus on creating art full-time. In a relatively brief career as an artist, Horton has set an ambitious agenda showcasing his artistic talents through exhibitions and public projects. In 2020, he was a participating artist in the Black Lives Matter Street mural project in downtown Cincinnati on Plum Street and was also featured in the group exhibition Black and Brown Faces presented at the Cincinnati Art Museum. In 2021, he was awarded a Truth and Reconciliation grant from ArtsWave and was featured in a group exhibition at the National Underground Freedom Center featuring all of the recipients. In addition, he was awarded a mural commission from 3CDC as part of the Court Street Plaza renovation project, and most recently his work has been featured on Amazon Prime’s new TV series, “Harlem” which features Hollywood stars, Whoopi Goldberg and Megan Good. In 2021, Horton served as an Artist-in-Residence at The Mercantile Library where he was commissioned to draw a six-foot portrait of the famed Black abolitionist and writer, Peter H. Clark. In November of 2021, Horton debuted his first solo exhibition entitled, “Coming of Age: Chapter One” at the Alice F. & Harris K. Weston Art Gallery in Cincinnati, Ohio. Horton also serves on the community based nonprofit board of ArtWorks and WavePool.

Rachel DesRochers is the founder of Grateful Grahams, an artisanal graham cracker company; the Incubator Kitchen Collective, a non-profit providing kitchen space, business support and mentorship to food entrepreneurs; founder of The Good People Festival, an annual free music festival; and In Gratitude, a podcast of tools, tidbits and chats on living a life in gratitude. Rachel recently launched Head to Heart Mentorship where she is using all the tools she’s learned as an entrepreneur to support other makers and creatives to live a life of joy! Her most recent project is Power to Pursue, a one-day women's entrepreneurial and empowerment conference. Rachel has received numerous local awards and was a semifinalist for Martha Stewart’s American Made Award, awarded the Local Luminary from Slow Foods Cincinnati, earned a spot on the 2020 40 Under 40 from the Cincinnati Business Courier and in 2021 was named one of the Emerging Leaders for Outstanding Women of NKY. Rachel is a passionate believer in the power of gratitude and the role of food in creating community. Her mission goes beyond making a great cookie: she also wants to impact her community with positivity and action. If that wasn’t enough, she is also a mom to three and works side by side with her husband in building these businesses.

Rico Grant is the founder of Paloozanoire and creator of Gallery at Gumbo, the inclusive barbershop art gallery collaboration in the heart of OTR that hosts the regionally-focused podcast Gumbo Talks. He serves as executive director of SoCap Accelerate based out of Northern Kentucky University and is the architect behind the Emmy award-winning Black & Brown Faces art exhibition previously on exhibition at the Cincinnati Art Museum (returning in 2022). Rico helped develop the new regionally-focused youth awards program “17 Under Seventeen” in partnership with The University of Cincinnati, FC Cincinnati and CVG. Known as a connector throughout the city, Rico serves on several nonprofit boards and advises for several startups and foundations around the Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky region. In 2022, Rico is set to launch Cinema OTR, a premier bar and lounge dedicated to 90s R&B and Classic Black Filmmakers, as well as Fundnoire, a $1.5M fund dedicated to launching 24 new Black-owned small businesses throughout the city.

Anastasia Mileham is the executive director of Cincinnati Experience, an area initiative that earns national media stories about the Cincinnati Region and is charged with growing and implementing Cincy brand standards and messaging. Working with the region’s diverse civic and non-profit organizations, small businesses, and corporations, she tells the Cincy story to prospective talent, business, and tourists through print, broadcast, and social media. She currently serves on the boards of Cincy Red Bike and Strategies to End Homelessness, and has dedicated her career to helping grow our vibrant urban core.

When it comes to being a Flavor Maker, Regina is definitely what's hot. As an influential award-winning TV journalist, Regina gave us a front row seat to the cultural offerings in the city of Cincinnati for more than 15 years on FOX19. This former beloved broadcaster turned arts ambassador/ marketer turned entrepreneur, now helps CEOs tell the diverse stories of the region as founder and CEO of the strategic communications agency, RRight Now Communications.

Toilynn O'Neal Turner doesn't remember a time when art and activism were not a part of her life. She grew up with her well-respected and well-known artist and activist father, Robert O'Neal. She remembers his struggles to change the community and speak through his art. Her mother, however, was a scientist. She inspired Toilynn to pursue the science world as well. In college, Toilynn studied Zoology, Veterinary Science, Fine Art and Non-Profit Management, giving her a unique background that allows both her creative side and her analytical side to work together with community leaders to affect change.

In 2005, Toilynn accepted a position at the Cincinnati Art Museum, where she worked as Education Coordinator for Community Engagement for six years. Toilynn continued her focus on arts education, diversity and inclusion by working as the Diversity Trainer and Educational Consultant for Rice Education Consulting, before moving to her new role as Director of Diversity at St. Ursula Academy, where she developed diversity initiatives and programs for staff, parents and students alike.

Toilynn's unending dedication to the city of Cincinnati drives her passion for community collaboration, diversity and cultural education for her city. Her extensive list of current volunteer positions includes membership on the board of the Cincinnati Arts Association, The Cincinnati Ballet, the Cincinnati Museum Center African Cultural Fest Committee, the African American Chamber of Commerce, Walnut Hills Area Council, the Nrityarpana School of Performing Arts and on committees for the Freedom Center Martin Luther King Breakfast, the University of Cincinnati Diversity Officer Roundtable, Boys Hope Girls Hope of Cincinnati School, the Mayor’s Commission of Gender Equality, the National African American Museum Association and the Freedom Center/ Youth Conference Planning Committee. Along with her many accolades and awards, perhaps one the most prestigious was given to Toilynn in 2019 when she received the MAC Award for Diversity and Leadership in the Arts from the Multicultural Awareness Council (MAC) of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

Currently, Toilynn is the Executive Director of Queen City Foundation, a non-profit organization whose vision is to provide educational opportunities to minority students through independent college preparatory schools.

Her latest venture is to secure a permanent location for the Robert O'Neal Multicultural Arts Center (ROMAC) in honor of her late father. As Founding Director of the ROMAC, Toilynn works to celebrate, advance and preserve African American culture and achievement through the arts, history and education, while also uplifting the rich diversity of artists and cultures of Greater Cincinnati.

Elizabeth Blackburn is responsible for strategic planning, engagement initiatives and future growth opportunities for the Cincinnati Bengals. Blackburn spearheaded several high-profile initiatives recently, including the unveiling of the Bengals Ring of Honor and the introduction of new uniforms for the first time in 17 years. Blackburn played a major role in the Bengals’ partnership with BlaCk OWned Outerwear in 2020 to design a limited-series retail collection called "Stripes Don't Come Easy." Proceeds from the collection went to a local program called MORTAR to support the next generation of aspiring urban entrepreneurs.

A native of Cincinnati and graduate of Dartmouth College, Blackburn joined the Bengals in February 2020 after previously working at the private equity firm KKR in New York City, and the consulting firm Bain & Company in San Francisco. Blackburn also spent six months working at the league office in New York, where she focused on NFL Management Council and Corporate Strategy groups.

The Cincinnati Bengals exceeded every expectation going into this season, finishing the season as AFC Champions and playing in the Super Bowl for the first time in 33 years. The Team put on an inspiring performance on the field and energized the entire city with its confidence, adeptness, teamwork and fearlessness. We honor all of the players, coaches and staff for the electrifying season and making us all so proud to be Bengals fans. It’s STILL us. WHO-DEY!

Michael Cortrell (aka: Brooklyn Steele-Tate) is a decorated community activist and one of the most popular drag queens in the Queen City. Michael has a long history of involvement in his community, serving as the past President of Cincinnati Pride and fundraising chair for I.S.Q.C.C.B.E, where he played a key role in raising over $1.3MM for Cincinnati non-profits. Michael continues to serve as the festival co-chair for Cincinnati pride and is the house emcee at The Cabaret, Cincinnati’s premier drag club. The club offers must-see entertainment and is affiliated with many local LGBTQ+ empowerment groups. Additionally, Michael serves as a chair member of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Out of the Darkness Walk board, which serves to create a culture that is smarter and more open about mental health.

Christian Gill commenced his culinary journey at the age of seven in Lexington, Kentucky. Beginning in his grandmother’s kitchen, the desire to create was fostered by the teachings of women in his family and, later on, perfected through experience: trial by knife. Executing his knowledge and passion for flavor, Christian welcomed ranging culinary opportunities, from corporate chains to local catering, even leading him to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Molded by experience, Christian’s journey led him to Cincinnati, Ohio for his debut Executive Chef role at the Cincinnati Art Museum and curator of Rhinegeist Brewery’s Chef recipes. In 2016, PJ Neumann approached Chef Christian with an offer he couldn’t refuse, the opportunity to share his grandmother’s biscuit recipe with the world. In 2018, Boomtown Biscuits and Whiskey opened its doors, elevating the essence of comfort food and delivering culinary gold. In 2019, Chef Christian was named one of the top six chefs in Cincinnati. Under his leadership, Boomtown was named the 2019 Cincinnati Best New Restaurant by City Beat.

Tyran Stallings is the founder and executive director of The D.A.D. Initiative (Directing Adolescent Development) and co-founding partner of Buildwell Development Group.

Since 2014, The D.A.D. Initiative has served thousands of students, families and communities in the Greater Cincinnati area, providing programs both during and after school that provide mentoring, cultural exposure and 21st century skills training. DAD also leads community-based programs that focus on health, employment and parent advocacy.

Buildwell Development Group, a black-owned residential and commercial development company co-owned by Stallings, creates new and renovated housing throughout Cincinnati while providing employment and growth opportunities to minority contractors. The company’s priority on alleviating blight has resulted in community improvements in several Cincinnati neighborhoods through the rehabilitation of dilapidated and abandoned properties. Tyran has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including the Hamilton County Community Action Agency, Children, Inc. and currently Learning Grove, where he is chair of the governance committee. His work has garnered him numerous local and national awards and recognitions, some of which include Who’s Who in Black Cincinnati, ULYP Affirmed honoree designation, Cincinnati Regional Chamber’s 2021 Making Black History Award and WIZFM’s 2021 Pillar of the Community Award. He has been featured on countless local and national panels to lend his expertise on developing African American youth. Tyran is also a member of Leadership Cincinnati Class 45. His most important roles, however, are being a husband to wife Rachel and father to his son Tariq.

D. Lynn Meyers is in her 25th season as the Producing Artistic Director of Ensemble Theatre, where she has directed over 100 world and regional premieres, including Fun Home, Frog Princess, Ripcord, Hands on a Hardbody, Detroit ’67, I Am My Own Wife, Next to Normal, and world premieres including Cinderella, After Ever After, James and Annie, and The Dancing Princesses. She has directed Off-Broadway at the York Theatre with Marsha Norman’s Traveler in the Dark and James McClure’s Max and Maxie. Lynn has directed extensively throughout the US and Canada and began her career as the Associate Artistic Director at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. In addition to her directing work, she is a member of the Casting Society of America, having cast for PBS, CBS, BBC, HBO, MTM, Paramount, Netflix and MGM. Lynn’s favorite feature credits include serving as Location Casting Director for The Shawshank Redemption and recently Dark Waters,Carol, Miles Ahead, The Goat, The Public and Old Man With The Gun. Lynn was named one of four finalists for the Zelda Fichandler National Award in 2011, is a past recipient of the YWCA Career Woman of Achievement Award, and is the 2018 Rosa F. and Samuel B. Sachs Prize Award winner—honoring outstanding accomplishments in the arts. Lynn was honored in 2019 with a national board appointment to the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC).

Kick Lee is a music producer, Cincinnati native, and advocate of the musical arts. He is the founder and executive director of the Cincinnati Music Accelerator, an organization that is dedicated and focused on the development of music creatives, fostering and fueling place-making and striving for economic development and impact within the community it serves through the musical arts. Only 32-years-old, Kick has already worked in music for over 17 years and had his musical works licensed and placed in advertisements with brands such as Disney, Toyota, Samsung, Puma, Xbox and many others. In addition to being the executive director of the Cincinnati Music Accelerator, he operates KL Studios Inc. which specializes in audio recording, audio production, post-production and music licensing for TV, film, trailers, and commercials.

Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey is a lifelong Cincinnatian and a 33-year veteran of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. Prior to being elected Sheriff in November 2020, she held the rank of Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and Major. Sheriff McGuffey took office on January 4, 2021 and is the highest ranking woman in the history of the Hamilton County, OH Sheriff’s Office. She has worked in nearly all facets of the Sheriff’s Office including as the Academy Commander for the Ohio Peace Officer Corrections Academy, serving as lead hostage negotiator for the Sheriff’s Special Response Team, and as Commander of the Sheriff’s Honor Guard. Sheriff McGuffey provided training for law enforcement officers throughout the State of Ohio and is an accomplished self-defense instructor. Sheriff McGuffey is committed to public safety and to ensuring accountability, transparency, and engagement with the community as the foundation of the work in the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff McGuffey is committed to building trust, to listening to department staff and the community’s ideas and concerns and to move forward together toward justice reform.

Molly is a self-taught mixologist born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. She spent twelve years living and working in San Francisco and before returning to Ohio. Molly takes pride in her immense knowledge of the history and proper preparation of classic cocktails and fine spirits, which lead to her being awarded the Best Bartender/Owner in the Nation by Nightclub and Bar Media in 2019. She is now owner of Japp’s, founded in 1879, located on Main Street, in the heart of Cincinnati’s Historic neighborhood Over-the-Rhine.

Polly Campbell has been one of the most influential people in the Greater-Cincinnati food scene since she became the food writer at the Cincinnati Enquirer in 1996. She told the rich story of Cincinnati’s food scene both with weekly restaurant reviews and stories of the people who create unique, meaningful Cincinnati food. Readers loved her smart, yet relatable style. Polly dissected restaurants in detail, but her writing was ultimately uplifting to local restaurants and Cincinnatians, helping put the Cincinnati food scene on the national map. She is the author of "Cincinnati Food: a Culinary History of the Queen City.”

Jill Meyer leads the Cincinnati Regional Chamber on an aggressive course designed to grow the vibrancy and economic prosperity of the Cincinnati Region. Jill is well-versed in advocating for local businesses. As an attorney she practiced for twenty years at FBT LLC and served as the Member-in-Charge of the firms biggest office in Cincinnati. She’s a dedicated volunteer for many civic and community causes, currently serving on various boards in Cincinnati for the betterment of the city.

Dan McCabe has been an integral part of the Cincinnati music scene for more than three decades having started as a promoter and musician in 1990. Before artists like the White Stripes, Beck and Alabama Shakes became household names, McCabe brought those acts to Cincinnati. He still promotes great live music to this day as co-owner of Woodward Theater and MOTR Pub featuring performances seven nights a week in Over-the-Rhine. McCabe has served as the Executive Producer to multiple Cincinnati events, including MidPoint Music Festival, Cincinnati Entertainment Awards, BRINK New Music Showcase and The Lite Brite Film Test. Cincinnatians consider Dan a hero in the local industry – crediting him for keeping the Cincinnati music scene alive and well.

Alfonso Cornejo is a business consultant for companies doing business in Latin America. Mr. Cornejo has a well- rounded background in all facets of business with particular expertise in Manufacturing and Human Resources. Before entering the consulting field, Mr. Cornejo worked for a total of 30 years with several Fortune 500 Companies, i.e., Procter & Gamble, Clorox, Chiquita Brands. Mr. Cornejo is a Board member of several important boards in the community. Mr. Cornejo has been the President of the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA for the last 17 years, and is also the founder of Hispanics Avanzando Hispanics (HAH) that is a non-profit entity that among many other social service activities, also organizes the Cincy-Cinco Latino charity festival each year in Cincinnati. This charity festival has distributed more than $465,000 among organizations supporting Hispanic initiatives since startup 17years ago.

Kathrine Nero is a long-standing, respected voice of the community. You may recognize her for her incredible storytelling and reporting work at Channel 9 in Cincinnati for nearly 20 years. Now, Kathrine hosts “Coffee Break with Kathrine,” a daily Facebook Live segment hosted on the Cincinnati Enquirer Facebook page for those in the greater-Cincinnati area to catch up on all the latest news.

Crystal L. Kendrick, President of The Voice of Your Customer, is a true advocate for the African American community. She has more than 25 years of global and domestic marketing experience, specifically targeting underserved populations. She is also the publisher of The Voice of Black Cincinnati, a media company designed to educate, recognize and create opportunities for African Americans in the region. She serves on several boards in the area and is a volunteer Events Editor for the Cincinnati Herald. Crystal’s professional and philanthropic achievements have been recognized by the Cincinnati Business Courier, Cincinnati Woman’s Magazine, Cincy Business Magazine, the YWCA and the Cincinnati Chamber.

Alicia is a long-time public servant who has held many roles on behalf of the citizens of Ohio. She was the former Vice Mayor of Cincinnati (2002-2007) and member of the Ohio House of Representatives for the 33rd district. Alicia has been an inspiration to many Cincinnatians as she was the first African-American woman to win city, state and county electoral races. Alicia currently serves as the Hamilton County Commissioner and is a tremendous advocate for the betterment of Cincinnati.

Means Cameron is a native born Cincinnatian who began his love for entrepreneurship by selling clothing from his car. His passion eventually brought him to Miami University where he grew a following for his art and became the first African American to receive Homecoming Honors at the predominately white institution. After graduation, Means founded the clothing brand BlaCkOWned™ Outerwear. Since its launch in 2011, the brand has been recognized by various publications, including Cincinnati Magazine as a Top 3 Cincinnati Men’s Boutique. Means and his team are using their growing notoriety to create a brand that transcends race, generation and location. Through his contributions as an entrepreneur, it is Means’ goal to inspire the community to serve one another.

French born de Cavel left New York City as the executive chef of the Plaza Athenée and came to Cincinnati as chef de cuisine of the famed Maisonette. He has since planted roots in the Queen City, volunteering much of his time to several local and national organizations. He is an unabashed fan of the Cincinnati Reds, and Bengals, and FC Cincinnati. He lives in Newport, Kentucky, with his wife Annette and daughter Laeticia.