About 150 OCSEA activists and family members attended the Community and Minority Affairs Committee (CMCA) Conference this past weekend at The Summit A Dolce Hotel in Cincinnati.
Chair of the CMCA Committee, Sherry Little, who works at the Cleveland BWC office, welcomed attendees to the first major OCSEA conference since the pandemic. OCSEA President Chris Mabe gave an update on bills aimed at attacking public sector unions and one, HJR 1, which would make it next to impossible to get a citizen’s initiative on the ballot. He also answered members’ questions about a range of topics in an informative Q and A.
The afternoon speakers focused on the Power of Protest as well as the conference theme, Inclusivity to Build a Better Community. Cincinnati Pastor Kazava (KZ) Smith gave an impassioned speech about the Power of Protest and how protest has its roots in biblical traditions. Cleveland Heights Councilwoman Davida Russell, who is also a school bus driver and member-leader of OAPSE Local 4, talked about the many hats she and other union activists wear. She said despite her many roles, the one that is most important to her is her role as a union activist and leader.
See more photos from the event on Facebook.