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 (submit nominations here), 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 on Oct. 2. The winner will be announced Friday afternoon.
Linsey Kraeling
Nominated by: Laura Clapper
Why Clapper nominated Kraeling: Linsey started @TourDeCincinnati @linsinnati over a decade ago. She creates content all over the greater Cincinnati area. You will not find someone more passionate about shopping local and spreading the love of Cincinnati with each post.
Each week she publishes “the weekend rundown” highlighting local events and things to do each weekend. She also creates content @kidfriendlycincy that is all geared toward people looking for fun things to do with their kids around town. She’s a champion for all things Cincinnati as well as being an advocate for human rights. I can’t think of a better person to nominate.
Arielle (Arie) Betts
Nominated by: Hunter Bowman-Gibson
Why Bowman-Gibson nominated Betts: Arie is truly a culture maker for Cincinnati. By day, she is an Outreach & Engagement Lead at the University of Cincinnati student affairs office, where she empowers students to gain leadership experience and grow personally and professionally through programming and engagement events. She has also been a mentor and friend for countless other students and me as we navigated our college journeys. I specifically think of a trip to Washington, D.C., that was organized by her for a group of students I was involved with.
While there, we were able to meet with staff members of Greg Landsman, visit marketing and accounting firms, and explore cultural museums. This trip really helped me and other students grow our passion for business, and it wouldn’t have been possible without her. And by night she’s a killer DJ with a true passion and appreciation of the music scene in Cincinnati where she was born and raised. And every time she’s on stage her main goal is make sure other people are having a good time!
Deej Ragusa
Nominated by: Holly Brians Ragusa
Why Ragusa nominated Ragusa: Deej is a talented local and soulful singer-songwriter who pours herself into her music. She’s intentional about working with and amplifying human talent and continually builds musical and meditative community. She’s a credit to the region, with exemplified authenticity and wide musical scope and vision.
She’s been performing at Arnold’s for six years every third Thursday and plays solo, duo, or full band gigs all over town at venues such as MOTR, Sundry & Vice, and Symphony Hotel. As a certified sound healer, she soothes souls with her resonant singing bowls and guided meditations. Deej is the future of music and a cultural icon of this region.
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.
You can vote as often as you’d like until noon Oct. 2. The winner will receive a featured CityBeat story, recognition across CityBeat’s social channels and eternal neighborhood bragging rights.*
*Not legally binding, but spiritually true.
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.