Sherrod Brown Launches “Black Leaders for Sherrod” Coalition in Cincinnati

CINCINNATI, OH – Today, Sherrod Brown joined local leaders in Cincinnati to launch “Black Leaders for Sherrod,” a coalition of Ohio Black leaders backing Sherrod’s reelection.

Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece, Pastor Emeritus of New Jerusalem Baptist Church Reverend Damon Lynch Jr., Vice Mayor of the City of Cincinnati Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney, Senior Pastor of Union Baptist Church Reverend Dr. Orlando B. Yates, Lincoln Heights activist Antoinette Worsham, and Avondale Community activist Ozie Davis joined Sherrod for a kickoff event at the New Jerusalem Baptist Church today. Today’s event follows roundtables with Black Leaders in Cleveland and Columbus.

“As County Commissioner of one of Ohio’s most diverse counties, it’s important to me that our elected officials are fighting for the best interests of Ohio’s Black communities,” said Hamilton County Commission President Alicia Reece. “What makes Sherrod different is that he not only listens, he takes action. He works to secure resources from Washington and brings them back to Ohio. It’s made a tangible difference in the lives of countless Ohioans.”

“Sherrod has consistently championed Black communities. From investing in our youth to protecting our voting rights, Sherrod has always stood on our side,” said Avondale Community activist Ozie Davis.

“Sherrod exposed the stark truth about insulin costs and fought against Big Pharma to secure fairer prices,” said Lincoln Heights activist Antoinette Worsham. “I support Sherrod Brown because he turns empathy into action and his actions have saved lives.” 

“Time and again, Sherrod has proven that he is on our side, championing the issues that matter most to us. He listened directly to our concerns about preserving Black cemeteries in Ohio and he went back to Washington and introduced and passed the African American Burial Grounds Preservation Act to ensure that cemeteries like Union Baptist are properly maintained and honored for future generations,” said Senior Pastor of Union Baptist Church Reverend Dr. Orlando B. Yates.

“Our state is stronger when we treat every Ohioan with the dignity and the respect they deserve,” said Senator Sherrod Brown. “That’s what I’ve always believed and that’s why I’m running for reelection. I’m grateful to have Ohio’s Black leaders by my side as we continue fighting for equality and for a level playing field for all Ohioans.” 

“Black Leaders for Sherrod” co-chairs, Vice Mayor of the City of Cincinnati Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney, State Representative Phil Robinson and former Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman, cited Sherrod’s work to provide opportunities for youth in the Black community, his fight to cap the cost of insulin and lower drug prices, and his efforts to ensure all Ohioans get they pay they earned.

“Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed firsthand Senator Sherrod Brown’s relentless dedication to ensuring fairness and opportunity for all Ohioans,” said Vice Mayor of the City of Cincinnati Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney. “Sherrod worked with community members and local officials to successfully move the Cincinnati Police Department’s gun range in Lincoln Heights out of our community and away from our families. That’s who Sherrod is – he understands we need unity to make change and he’s willing to work with anyone when it’s right for Ohio and stand up to anyone who gets in the way.”

“There is no better fighter for Ohio’s working families than Senator Sherrod Brown,” said State Representative Phil Robinson. “Sherrod will always stand up to inequality and fight for the Dignity of Work for all Ohioans – no matter what. He is leading the fight to ensure workers receive overtime pay and secure better wages and benefits for Ohio workers. I’m honored to support Sherrod and help make sure he can continue fighting for Ohio’s working families.” 

“I’ve seen firsthand Sherrod’s dedication to creating a level playing field for ALL who call Ohio home. The Dignity of Work is more than just a slogan for Sherrod, it’s how he does his job every day,” said Mayor Coleman. “Sherrod’s commitment to our communities and to our state runs deeper than legislation. He will work across the aisle and stand up to anyone on behalf of Ohioans.”

Please find photos for media use here.

Sherrod has always fought for Ohio’s Black communities to make sure hard work pays off for all Ohioans and to combat discrimination:

• Sherrod introduced the Stop Predatory Investing Act to make home ownership more affordable and is standing up to predatory housing investors to ensure no one is discriminated against in the house sector.
• Sherrod introduced the Restoring Overtime Pay Act to enshrine overtime pay protections into law and expand who qualifies for overtime pay so millions more Americans are paid for the hours they work.
• Sherrod introduced the Protecting the Right to Organize Act to protect workers’ rights to bargain for fairer wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions.
• Sherrod launched My Brother’s Keeper Ohio which provides boys of color with community programs and other opportunities across Ohio. There are currently 12 My Brother’s Keeper chapters operating in Ohio.
• Sherrod stood up to Big Pharma and championed legislation to cap the cost of insulin at $35 for Medicare recipients. Sherrod is now fighting to cap the cost of insulin for all Americans.
• Sherrod championed the Child Tax Credit expansion to provide working families with financial relief to accommodate the rising prices of healthcare, childcare, and housing.
• Sherrod supported the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, gun safety legislation that improved background checks and invested in mental health resources in communities and schools nationwide.
• Sherrod worked with Republicans to successfully pass the FEND Off Fentanyl Act to protect Ohioans from dangerous fentanyl and provide resources to law enforcement to keep fentanyl out of Ohio communities.
• Sherrod advocated for the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act to protect voting rights.
• Sherrod introduced the SAVE VOTERS Act to protect Americans from voter registration purges.
• Sherrod and his office hosted a Ohio Black Women’s Virtual Health Symposium to discuss the racial and social disparities that affect Black women.
• Sherrod introduced the Maternal Care Access and Reducing Emergencies Act to address shortcomings in the healthcare system which result in higher Black maternal mortality rates.
• Sherrod introduced a resolution to classify racism as a public health crisis.
• Sherrod wrote and passed the bipartisan African American Civil Rights Network Act to establish a national network of sites and stories connected to the African American Civil Rights Movement.
• Sherrod wrote and passed the bipartisan African American Burial Grounds Preservation Act to establish a preservation program to protect the historic and sacred spaces.

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