Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio Unveils Social Justice Center

CINCINNATI (Oct. 2, 2023) - In August, the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio (ULGSO) proudly unveiled the Holloman Center for Social Justice (CSJ) in Avondale Town Center, following an inaugural ribbon-cutting ceremony presented by Fifth Third Bank. The ceremony was graced by Commissioner Alicia Reece, Mayor Aftab Pureval, former ULGSO presidents Eddie Keon and Donna Jones Baker, YWCA Cincinnati's Rickell Howard Smith, who is also the inaugural executive director for CSJ, and members of the Avondale community.

Kala Gibson, Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer of Fifth Third, remarked, " Our support for the Holloman Center for Social Justice reflects our unwavering dedication to creating a more just and equitable society for all. We want to ensure that social justice remains at the heart of a better future for the communities we serve."

An impressive $1 million gift from Black philanthropists J. Phillip Holloman and his wife Gail, underpins the new 10,000 square foot facility and was bolstered by support from Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

Senior Director of Community Relations at Cincinnati Children's, Monica J. Mitchell, expressed her enthusiasm, noting, "The Hollomon Center for Social Justice, support[s] youth development, community programs, and diversity and social initiatives that are closely tied to physical and mental health outcomes in children and families.

Christie Kuhns, ULGSO President and CEO, acknowledged, "The generous contribution from Black philanthropists, Phillip and Gail Holloman, fast-tracked our equity efforts. The Holloman Center symbolizes our unyielding devotion to social justice in historically underserved communities."