Alicia Reece has been of service to the people of Ohio for over 20 years. She’s served because the Cincinnati vice mayor, a state representative and as a councilwoman. She’s made history as the primary woman and African American to win city, state, and county races in Hamilton County, Ohio.

Now, as Hamilton County Commissioner, Reece says she’s able that brings all of her experiences full circle, as a part of the “delivery system” for the people, ensuring that they get the assistance and services they require. She also has the chance to guide long-term projects that each highlight and profit the community.

One such project is The Cincinnati Black Music Walk Of Fame (CBMWF), a first-of-its-kind, interactive outdoor park featuring the celebrities and stories of influential Black musicians from town. It’s not only an attraction that’s a way of entertainment but considered one of education concerning the many unsung contributions of Black musicians from Cincinnati and the cultural legacy they’ve printed on the spirit of town.

“The walk of fame might be a everlasting place to honor our African American music legends and permit everyone to see their worldwide music impact,” Commissioner Reece told ESSENCE. “It’s so essential to me because our stories have been unnoticed,” she said.

This yr’s honorees include Penny Ford, techno-funk band Midnight Star, mega-producer Hi-Tek and jazz musician Wilbert Longmire, who might be inducted posthumously. The 2022 class follows last yr’s founding inductees Bootsy Collins, Charles Fold, the Isley Brothers and Otis Williams.

Commissioner Reece has a private connection to music due to her family’s background. Her late mother was a national recording artist, and her father owned an independent record label. Her parents met through music, and she or he grew up hearing lots of their stories and people of other Black musicians. Still, those stories and accomplishments had not been preserved permanently, and she or he wanted to vary that.

“My parents knew different artists like Bootsy Collins and others that were just type of around my family once I was growing up, and I’d hear their stories,” Reece says. “I assumed, well I do know these stories, but where could I find these stories and share them because I feel that others would need to know too.”

The walk of fame project is a near $20 million investment by Hamilton County and likewise required additional fundraising from the private sector. For Commissioner Reece, launching the Black Music Walk of Fame was like connecting the ultimate piece of a puzzle that may complete a kind of music corridor next to the Andrew J. Brady Music Center and across from Paul Brown Stadium where The Cincinnati Music Festival is held. 

“People worldwide can come, and so they’ll have the ability to see the celebrities with QR codes and use a kiosk to learn more about an artist. We could have video screens and say an artist will not be in Cincinnati, but they need to do a dedication, they might do a live performance streamed right there. There’s nothing quite prefer it,” she told ESSENCE.

The Walk of Fame’s grand opening is ready for July twenty third throughout the Cincinnati Music Festival, considered one of the country’s largest African American music festivals. The festival is a significant economic driver for Hamilton County, bringing in a mean of $107 million annually.

“I would like to be sure that folks know not only that these artists are from Cincinnati and from Hamilton County but to learn their stories and major contributions to the world,” she said.

“I would like it to be known that a Black woman can do major development in a significant city, across from, you already know, a significant NFL stadium. And we will lead with the vision, with the event skills and with the creative skills. We are able to do a significant development, and I’m hoping that this opens more opportunities for ladies, not only in Hamilton County, but for ladies across the country.”