Our Community History & Legacy
Celebrating roots that ground our community spirit.
Rooted in Freedom, Rising in Strength
South Cumminsville Community Council's history is deeply tied to activism, resilience, and the fight for freedom. What began as a small Cincinnati neighborhood became a powerful symbol of courage, advocacy, and community leadership that continues to shape its identity today.
A Legacy of Courage: The Underground Railroad Era (Mid-1800s)
In the mid-1800s, Cumminsville was home to several abolitionist churches and played a crucial role in the Underground Railroad. Escaping slaves used the Wesleyan Cemetery—the city's first racially integrated burial ground—as a refuge. To avoid detection, they staged mock funerals while receiving supplies and guidance before moving on to safe houses in College Hill and beyond. This powerful chapter of resistance and bravery remains one of the neighborhood’s proudest foundations.
Murals of Memory, Community of Pride
Today, the neighborhood’s history is honored through murals on Beekman Street, created by local children and elders to preserve and share these stories with future generations. South Cumminsville Community Council remains a place of pride, where the spirit of its past is woven into the fabric of daily life.
Leaders Who Shaped Our Community
Grady Baldwin (1919–2012)
A Tuskegee Airman and decorated veteran, Grady Baldwin was awarded the American Service Medal and the WWII Victory Medal. Beyond his military service, he worked for GE Aviation for 32 years and dedicated his life to serving the community. He was a member of the Cumminsville Community Council and active with WIN (Working In Neighborhoods). Grady insisted, “If we can leave our children anything, it should be the motivation to pursue a great education!” His legacy reflects service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to youth empowerment.
Dave Parker (1951–2025)
Nicknamed “The Cobra,” Dave Parker played Major League Baseball as a right fielder from 1973 to 1991. A seven-time All-Star, he won two National League batting titles and was the 1978 NL MVP. On November 1, 2023, the City of Cincinnati, the South Cumminsville Community Council, and the Reds honorarily named Borden Street at Elmore Street near his childhood home as Dave Parker Way.
Leaders Who Shaped Our Community
At the ceremony, Parker reflected on his roots: “It was a pleasure growing up here. And I drive through here on occasion just to reminisce, because this is it. This is where it started and made me the individual that I am.” His story is proof that greatness can rise from our own streets.
Trailblazers of Justice & Equality
The Fossett Family (1820s–1900s)
Peter Fossett arrived in Cincinnati as a free man in 1850. He founded First Baptist Church, served on the segregated school board, joined the National Prison Reform Congress and University Extension Society, and aided Levi Coffin in the Underground Railroad. During the Civil War, he served as a captain in Cincinnati's Black Brigade. His wife, Sarah Fossett, was a prominent advocate for Black rights.
Courage That Changed a City
In 1860, she sued a streetcar company for discrimination—leading to the desegregation of Cincinnati’s streetcars. She also worked with the Underground Railroad and supported local orphanages. Together, the Fossett family advanced justice, faith, education, and civil rights in powerful and lasting ways.
Alvina Montgomery (1909–2007)
Alvina Montgomery organized the first youth choir of the First Baptist Church and remained a faithful choir member. Known affectionately as “Ms. M,” she canvassed the community to collect signatures from parents of young African American children to allow them access to city swimming pools. She also advocated for having a street blocked off to create a safe play area for children—and continued fighting until it was accomplished
Where Advocacy Became Opportunity
In 1989, she was selected as “Woman of the Year” by the Cincinnati Enquirer and received a Key to the City on her 85th birthday. Her advocacy created opportunity, safety, and joy for generations of children.
Ethel M. Taylor (1915–1996)
Ethel M. Taylor championed education and community welfare. In 1957, after Garfield School closed, she led efforts to build a new school—ensuring children continued to have access to education. As Community Council President, she established recreation programs and launched a self-sufficiency initiative supported by a laundromat and library.
Lighting the Way for Generations
A human rights pioneer and Board of Health Commissioner, she secured sidewalks and streetlights for the neighborhood. In recognition of her dedication and collaboration with local and national leaders to meet neighborhood needs, a school was named in her honor: Ethel M. Taylor Academy.
A Living Legacy
We Are SCCC
The South Cumminsville Community Council (SCCC) serves as the official liaison to the city and the official representative voice of South Cumminsville Community Council. We are volunteers—actively fighting for the families and businesses that call South Cumminsville Community Council home. From the underground railroad to modern-day advocacy, from civil rights victories to youth empowerment, our story is one of resilience, leadership, and unwavering commitment to community. South Cumminsville Community Council is not just a neighborhood. It is a legacy—still being written.
What Our Community is Saying
The Legacy Lives On—And So Can You
South Cumminsville Community Council's story is still being written by neighbors who care, lead, and take action. From honoring our past to shaping our future, every voice matters. Connect with us today and become part of the next chapter in our community’s history.