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 Sept. 25. The winner will be announced Friday afternoon.
Sydne Blackburn
Nominated by: Jamie Black
Why Black nominated Blackburn: Sydne (AKA DJ Nymph) curates amazing events that support the black/brown community, such as Alt Blk Hotties, and its creative support group which focuses on bringing femmes together to learn from each other and celebrate and aid each other in successful creative endeavors.
Sydne provides DJ and entertainment events that raise funds for charitable businesses, helps build and sustain local businesses, especially in OTR, and she collaborates with so many other musicians and creatives in the city to creative inclusive, unique and special occasions. She works hard to create and sustain community, and succeeds at doing so!
Andrew Maloney
Nominated by: Holly Maloney
Why Holly nominated Andrew: If you’re looking for someone who makes Cincinnati feel like Cincinnati, Andrew is that person.
Around town, many people know him as “Mr. Cincinnati,” and it’s a nickname he’s earned. Andrew doesn’t just talk about Cincinnati—he lives it every single day. He attends festivals, grand openings, neighborhood events and lives downtown, fundraisers, concerts, and community gatherings all over the city because he genuinely loves being part of what makes Cincinnati special.
What sets Andrew apart is his enthusiasm and authenticity. His excitement for the city is contagious. Whether he’s introducing someone to a hidden neighborhood gem, highlighting a local business, or sharing the stories of the people who make this city unique, he does it with joy, curiosity, and heart.
Read more about why Maloney was nominated
Andrew is also a performer, storyteller, and creator. Through his podcast, Saw It in Cincy, and his newsletter that showcases everything happening around Cincinnati, he connects people to the city in a way that is engaging, entertaining, and meaningful. He celebrates the quirky, creative, and unexpected aspects of Cincinnati while helping others discover why this city is such a great place to live, work, and play.
He’s creative, connected, joyful, thoughtful, and unapologetically Cincinnati. More importantly, he helps others fall in love with Cincinnati the same way he has.
Andrew Maloney doesn’t just represent Cincinnati—he embodies its spirit. That’s why I believe he is the perfect person to be recognized by CityBeat.
Luis Villalón
Nominated by: Liam Haehnle
Why Haehnle nominated Villalón: Luis is a cultural curator here in Cincinnati. Host of the pop culture podcast The Culture Clash, he has brought on guests featuring a swath of local personalities from drag icons like Lexie Lobe and Amaya Sexton to news anchors such as Tanya O’Rourke and Megan Mitchell.
Luis has created a platform to highlight artists and authors such as Jake Hitch, author of “Cincinnati before Stonewall”. Along with the many events hosted by The Cukture Clash in community spaces like Alien Records in OTR, Luis recently was the host of Cincinnati’s biggest costume party, “Gay Icons,” dubbed the Met Gala of the Midwest.
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 Sept. 25. 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.