Racial Justice Breakfast

THE 24th ANNUAL

RACIAL JUSTICE BREAKFAST

October 8, 2024

8:00 am (Doors Open at 7:30 am) - Cincinnati Music Hall

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KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Angela Rye

Award-winning host, social justice advocate, lawyer, commentator, and self-described “empowermenteur”

Angela Rye, award-winning host, social justice advocate, lawyer, commentator, and self-described empowermenteur, embodies what it means to be a “bringer of truth”. Named and raised accordingly, the attorney’s no holds barred commentary has resonated with demographics all over the world. Her thoughtful yet incisive commentary and real talk about social justice, politics, culture, and history sparks much-needed conversation about the state of America.

She is also 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 much more. She has also been seen on several programs and outlets from Breakfast Club to the Daily Show, BET where she has been nominated for multiple NAACP Image Awards, HBO, TV One, CNN, ABC, NBC, NPR, and many others, including a former ESPN correspondent. Recognized for her honest, refreshing commentary and social justice advocacy by our nation’s most prominent civil rights organizations such as National Urban League, NAACP, and National Action Network she has also been featured in publications including the New York Times, Vanity Fair, Essence, Washington Post, Glamour, Ebony, and the Undefeated.

Angela Rye is a 2019 recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from the historic HBCU, Wiley College. She is the Principal and CEO of IMPACT Strategies, a political advocacy, social impact, and racial equity firm based in Washington, DC where she creates strategic partnerships and coalitions with Capitol Hill, third party organizations, and influencers to ensure societal change. She served as the Executive Director and General Counsel to the Congressional Black Caucus for the 112th Congress. She also served as the Senior Policy Advisor and Counsel for the House Committee on Homeland Security for four years. With more than 15 years of political strategy and social responsibility experience, Angela has worked with every branch of government—on the municipal, state, and federal levels. She has also developed award-winning strategic partnerships between our nation’s most well-known civil and human rights organizations for corporate and government partners. Working at the intersection of purpose, justice, and integrity, Angela is an effective leader who creates opportunities and opens doors for her peers and the next generation.

RACIAL JUSTICE AWARD HONOREES

EILEEN COOPER REED, ESQ

Eileen Cooper Reed is a Cincinnati change maker and advocate. Her entire adult life has been dedicated to the improvement of the human condition, particularly for children and families of color. Before becoming a lawyer, Eileen was trained in community development and worked in both rural and urban settings. After graduating from the University of Cincinnati College of Law, she did a stint at the US Court of Appeals before settling in as a Juvenile Court Referee.

In 1993, Eileen opened the Cincinnati office of the Children’s Defense Fund. Her passion and dedication for improving the lives of our most vulnerable children and their families was exceptional and eventually she assumed the helm of the Ohio office of CDF.

Eileen’s devotion to service led to her election to the City of Cincinnati Board of Education where she served two four-year terms. Addressing the issues of equity in education and in other sectors throughout the community became a driving force. While on the Board of Education, Eileen 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 whose purpose is to advance conversations that matter: acknowledging and examining the intersections of racial equity in community.

Eileen has served on numerous boards in the Cincinnati Community including the SCMinistry Foundation, Interact for Health, Xavier University President’s Advisory Council and School Board School. She was also previously a member of 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.

Most importantly, she could have done none of this without the complete 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

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.

Dr. Meredith Shockley-Smith applies her passion for Black Studies and Women & 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.

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Since 2001, attendees at our annual Racial Justice Breakfast experience in-depth discussion of racism’s personal and community-wide effects and hear from keynote 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.

Check out the complete list of past speakers.

Check out the complete list of past honorees.