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All-In Cincinnati coalition hires director to lead effort aimed at addressing region's racial divide

Denisha Porter - headshot.jpg
Posted at 10:13 AM, May 08, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-08 10:13:22-04

CINCINNATI — A coalition formed last year to try to address Greater Cincinnati's racial divide has hired a director to lead its efforts.

All-In Cincinnati on Wednesday announced the hiring of Denisha Porter as the first director of the All-In Cincinnati Coalition, a community-led group that seeks to create and implement an action plan to transform the Tri-State.

A report that the group released in October detailed Greater Cincinnati's racial disparities, how they hurt the region and what needs to change to bring about equity.

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Porter will be responsible for directing policy and advocacy that promote the All-In Cincinnati mission; building strong relationships with local nonprofit organizations, city officials, government agencies and community partners; and coordinating meetings, communications and recruitment with the All-In Cincinnati Core Team and Coalition members, according to a news release.

"I couldn't be more pleased to have Denisha's leadership as we begin implementing the important work of transforming our community into a more equitable place to live and work," community activist Eileen Cooper Reed, an original member of the Core Team, said in the release. "Her skills and background will provide All-In with the strategic focus and capacity at just the right time."

Porter will be based at The Greater Cincinnati Foundation. Prior to this new role, she worked at the Cincinnati Health Department. She had been there since 2010 and was the director of health promotion and worksite wellness and the Creating Healthy Communities Program. In that job, she was responsible for coordinating health initiatives in schools, workplaces, communities and healthcare settings, according to the release.

She also co-wrote a health education curriculum and worked as a public health educator. The City of Cincinnati recognized her as Employee of the Year, and she is a member of the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health.

Porter is a graduate of Miami University and received her Master of Public Health from Wright State University in 2006 and a certificate in field epidemiology from the University of North Carolina in 2010. She's a board member of the Mill Creek Alliance, Outdoor Adventure Club, go Vibrant and Interact for Health.

More information about All-In Cincinnati and a copy of the coalition's report are available online.

Lucy May writes about the people, places and issues that define our region – to celebrate what makes the Tri-State great and shine a spotlight on issues we need to address. To reach Lucy, email lucy.may@wcpo.com. Follow her on Twitter @LucyMayCincy.