WCC, a nonpartisan organization of feisty women, brings awareness to issues facing the average citizen

The impact of art on the promotion of social justice and community growth will be highlighted as part of the Women’s City Club (WCC) National Speaker Forum at Memorial Hall. Gina Belafonte, CEO of Sankofa, which is a nonprofit social impact production company founded by her father, Harry Belafonte, will provide a glimpse into the organization which attracts both high-profile celebrities as well as collaborations with grassroots partners to lift the voices of the disenfranchised. Music, community performance art, and campaigns of social justice make a great impact and transform public opinion on the most pressing issues of the day.

Belafonte’s mission aligns with Women’s City Club in many ways. As a nonpartisan civic organization presenting forums and other programs around the city, WCC brings awareness to issues facing the average Cincinnatian. Through the years, they have brought speakers showcasing different sides of an issue and consistently reach for balance in points of view. When working with city officials, agencies and individuals, the WCC has a strong, informed, and logical position that benefits the community as a whole. The civic voice is the most important one to be heard. 

The Women’s City Club covers a range of issues including voting rights, equity and justice, good government, fair housing, public education and environmental protection. Their primary activity is to educate the community through public forums and panel discussions to empower and engage citizens in creating a better quality of life for all. This is activism, and so is promotion of the arts. Gina Belafonte uses the arts to achieve social justice and lift people up. WCC sees this concept as a springboard to feature artists in Cincinnati who are doing something similar.

Ms. Belafonte has launched a number of initiatives that include the award-winning hip-hop spoken word musical “Lyrics From Lockdown,” which addresses mistaken identity, mass incarceration, and police brutality, as well as producing the Many Rivers to Cross Social Justice Arts and Music Festival which was held in 2016. The festival united 40 artists and 50 social justice organizations to center on voting rights, mass incarceration and poverty.

What qualifies as a feisty person?

WCC self-describes as an organization of feisty women. To them, a feisty person is lively, spirited, and courageous, especially when facing challenges as a woman.

“Women’s City Club aims to be spirited and unafraid to stand up for the community,” according to WCC president, Beth Sullebarger.

She cites a recent example of this “feisty-ness” when WCC worked to save Hyde Park Square from a new development that will change the square’s historic nature. Throughout the campaign and hearings, they provided well-reasoned testimony in hearings of the City Planning Commission and City Council against an oversized and incompatible development project that exceeded what the base zoning allowed. When Council decided against the community, WCC followed up with a well-attended panel discussion about the role of community councils to shine a light on the situation and come up with ways to strengthen the community voice. They continue to work toward stronger community councils.

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Sr. Judy Tensing, Crystal Kendrick, and Jody Grundy were recently honored at the annual Feist Tea in December. They share a devotion to community, a passion for lifting up the downtrodden, and a strong sense of social justice.

WCC established the National Speaker Forum in 1994 at the behest of Mary Wells, a board member, to bring in a nationally known woman speaker to help raise awareness about the accomplishments of women. Past speakers have included Susan Stamberg, Molly Ivins, Terri Gross, Anna Deavere Smith and Diane Rehm. 

What: Women’s City Club National Speaker Forum and annual fundraiser

When: Tues., March 10, 2026

Time: 7 p.m.

Where: Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Cincinnati, 45202

Tickets: Visit the Memorial Hall box office. For further details, call (513) 977-8838