Vote for the CityBeat Culture Maker of the Week

Meet three Cincinnatians making the city more creative, connected and unmistakably itself, and then help choose the Culture Maker of the Week winner.

Cincinnati culture doesn’t just happen. It’s built every day by artists, musicians, chefs, organizers, performers, business owners, neighborhood champions and wonderfully weird people who give this city its personality.

That’s why CityBeat is launching Culture Maker of the Week, a new contest celebrating the people who make Greater Cincinnati more vibrant, joyful, thoughtful and alive, whether they’re working center stage or quietly making things happen behind the scenes.

Nominees are submitted by you, and our editors pick the three up for voting. Read about this week’s contenders below, then cast your vote for the person you think deserves the title.

You can vote as often as you’d like until noon Friday, Aug. 21. The winner will be announced Friday afternoon.

Jaleesa & Kendall Ross

Nominated by: Reagan Kaiser

Why Kaiser nominated Jaleesa and Kendall: They are a husband-and-wife duo whose love for manga, anime and Black culture had them craving for a space like this to exist.

Cinsei is more than a cafe; it’s history in the making. As the first Black-owned manga cafe in the nation, and the only manga-focused space of its kind in downtown Cincinnati, they offer a true third space for the people in our community. They routinely host movie nights, cosplay contest, meet ups and more, and truly cultivate culture.

Frankie Arena

Nominated by: Jacob Alexander

Why Alexander nominated Arena: Frankie should be CityBeat’s Culture Maker of the Week because he is someone who is actively helping shape Cincinnati from the inside out. As the General Manager of Hotel Celare, he is part of bringing new energy, hospitality and visibility to the city, especially as Cincinnati continues to grow as a destination. But what makes Frankie stand out is that his impact goes beyond his job title. He is genuinely involved in the Walnut Hills community, supports local arts and culture, and consistently shows up for organizations and people who are trying to make Cincinnati better.

Whether he is connecting visitors to the city, supporting local artists and events, volunteering with social organizations, or simply being present in the community, Frankie helps make Cincinnati feel more welcoming, creative, and connected. He is the kind of person who brings people together without needing the spotlight. His work in hospitality, his commitment to Walnut Hills, and his support for the arts all reflect what a true culture maker does: he helps create the kind of city people want to live in, visit and be proud of.

Justin Dawson

Nominated by: Anastassia Bowers

Why Bowers nominated Dawson: Aside from being one of the best bassists around, Justin is at the helm of the house band at The Lounge in Northside every Monday.

He’s helping to create, maintain and expand the Cincinnati jazz scene, and he does it with style. Each week, he hosts the band and the jazz jam afterwards bringing together a host of Cincy’s best local musicians. Importantly, he helps to curate not only the music, but the way the audience engages: he takes opportunities to remind the crowd of the artistry, history, and significance of the music, and encourages people to actively listen, not just passively attend. Justin’s consistency, musicianship, and all-around likability put him at the forefront of Cincy Makers in my mind.

Cast Your Vote

Vote once. Vote twice. Vote every time you reopen the tab. Then send this story to the group chat, neighborhood Facebook page, Discord server or overly competitive family member of your choice.

Know Cincinnati’s Next Culture Maker?

Nominations are always open. Tell us about an artist, DJ, chef, bartender, muralist, musician, organizer, educator, performer, community builder or other local human making Cincinnati a more interesting place. Nominate a Culture Maker here.