Cincinnati Black Democrats exists to amplify Black voices within the Democratic Party, transform our community through political empowerment, and advance an agenda that delivers tangible results for all Cincinnatians.
We are committed to building a more representative party leadership by recruiting, training, and supporting Black Precinct Executives (PE) who will drive meaningful change from the ground up.
The Imperative for Change
Black Cincinnatians deserve representation that reflects our community’s diversity, understands our lived experiences, and fights relentlessly for our interests. For too long, decisions affecting Black neighborhoods have been made without community-responsive Black leadership at the table. Precinct Executives are the foundation of party power—they elect party leadership, influence endorsements, and mobilize voters. When Black Democrats hold these positions in proportion to our presence in the community, we shift the entire political landscape toward justice and equity. We pursue this mission because incremental change is no longer sufficient. Our children deserve excellent schools now. Our families deserve safe, affordable housing now. Our communities deserve economic investment now. By organizing Black Democrats into positions of power and pushing the party toward bold, progressive solutions, Cincinnati Black Democrats transforms political engagement into political power, and political power into the real, lasting change our city needs.
Background: African Americans are underrepresented as PEs
Currently, there are scores of PEs vacancies throughout the county, especially in the City of Cincinnati. Many vacancies are located in Black and underserved communities. Vacant Precinct Executive (PE) seats in Black neighborhoods have major, concrete implications for political power, resource allocation, representation, and how effectively those communities influence the Hamilton County Democratic Party (HCDP). When Black neighborhoods lack PEs, those neighborhoods lose voting power inside the party. Decisions about candidate endorsements, party rules, leadership choices, and strategic priorities are made without proportional representation from those communities. It effectively dilutes Black political influence at the most fundamental level of party structure. Essentially: No PE = no vote = no voice.
Engagement: Engaging Black Democrats in Civic Life and Party Politics
Engagement begins with relevance. We host regular community forums that address the issues that matter most to Black Cincinnatians—economic opportunity, educational equity, criminal justice reform, affordable housing, and healthcare access. These forums serve as entry points for Democrats who may feel disconnected from traditional party structures. We organize voter registration drives, candidate meet-and-greets, and issue-based campaigns that allow Black Democrats to see their direct impact on political outcomes. Through social media, newsletters, and partnerships with local Black-led organizations, we maintain consistent communication that keeps our community informed and mobilized. We also create pathways for political education, offering workshops on everything from understanding local government to effective advocacy techniques. By celebrating our wins, acknowledging our setbacks, and always maintaining transparency about our work, we build trust and sustained participation.
Goals: Building Black Leadership in Every Precinct
Our primary goal is to dramatically increase the number of Black Precinct Executives in the HCDP. We are organizing an effort to create a Hamilton County Democratic Party Black Caucus. We achieve this by identifying passionate community members in neighborhoods throughout Hamilton County, providing comprehensive training on the responsibilities and powers of Precinct Executives, and creating a supportive network that sustains new leaders through their first terms and beyond. We actively recruit from civic organizations, churches, neighborhood councils, and grassroots movements, seeking individuals who are already invested in their communities and ready to formalize that commitment through party leadership. By demystifying the process of becoming a Precinct Executive and offering mentorship from experienced leaders, we remove barriers to entry and ensure that Black Democrats have both the knowledge and confidence to step into these critical positions.
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