SPOTLIGHT ON KIG SECRETARY: DESIRÉ BENNETT!

Desiré Bennett is a community connector promoting racial justice, women’s empowerment, and economic self-sufficiency. She is a director focused on participatory design, connection, and culture-building at Design Impact, a nonprofit social innovation firm that uses design to address pressing community issues, equip leaders, and inspire communities.

Beyond DI, Desiré was named a Leader in Light as part of a cohort exploring the relationship between extremism, antisemitism, racism, and inclusive democracy. She is also a United State of Women Ambassador, a collective of women across the country advancing gender equity in our communities. She is a former commissioner on the Hamilton County Commission on Women & Girls, the City of Cincinnati’s Gender Equity Taskforce & the Citizen Complaint Authority Board, and a former MLK Coalition vice president.

In recognition of her “...dedicated professional and activist work on behalf of women and girls in the Cincinnati metropolitan region,” Desiré was awarded the “Outstanding Alumnx Award'' from the University of Cincinnati where she completed a BA in Journalism, a Certificate in Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies, and an MA in Communication.

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SPOTLIGHT ON KIG TREASURER: ASHLEY JONES!

Ashley Jones is a Chicagoland based project and operations leader currently managing special events and initiatives at UBER. Rule follower by day, chicken wing, wine and sushi connoisseur by night. Ashley is an avid traveler, having been to more than 10 international cities. She lives to see all the treasures and pleasures nestled in the world. She lives by the personal mottos of "I speak fluent sarcasm", "Being alive is being OFFLINE", and "Let them say it and be busy slaying it."

As a Proud Xavier University grad, Ashley is a economical, succinct and humble leader. She shapes culture by keeping a finger on the pulse of what is new and capitalizes on that energy. Her strategic mindset brings the abstract into focus and contextualizes chaos into order. As the treasurer for KALEIDOSCOPE Investment Group, Ashley keeps finances air-tight and every member on their toes.

High on the empath scale, Ashley enjoys the process of tapping into efficiencies in team building while guiding collaborative engagements on the journey to success. She is an adaptable leader who leverages her EQ to motivate and understand others.

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SPOTLIGHT ON KIG MEMBER: AMBER HORTON!

Completely enamored by the sweet nature of children combined with a deep passion for assisting families in healing, growing and reaching their fullest potential, Amber has dedicated to herself to education as an Intervention Specialist within the Cincinnati Public School system. In this capacity, Amber finds herself deeply engrained and committed to the transformation of education throughout the Cincinnati community.

Amber currently serves on the board of Kids Matter and serves as a Representative for Cincinnati Federation of Teachers. In addition, she volunteers to serve children and families in a multitude of roles across the Cincinnati region. More recently, she’s started to introduce yoga to young children.

Outside of classroom, Amber is a devoted wife and mother of two young children, Zola and Ravi. She is a key contributor to the growth of their family business, Gee Horton Studios. She spends plenty of the time in the community socializing with friends and family but mostly enjoys traveling, introducing her family to new cultures, and showing them the world. Ultimately, her passion lies in creating pathways of growth for her children and the generations to come.

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