Dinsmore & Shohl LLP is pleased to announce it has partnered with the Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce (AACC), the largest such chamber in Ohio. The partnership helps to address racial socioeconomic disparities within the Cincinnati community by providing minority-owned businesses that are AACC members with legal services.

“The African American Chamber works to provide resources and pathways, such as legal services, to ensure success for our members,” said AACC CEO and President Eric Kearney. “The partnership with Dinsmore was easy. Their contributions toward advancing economic equity and inclusion in the community are why they are a perfect fit.”

In the wake of widespread racial injustices during 2020, Dinsmore Managing Partner and Chairman George Vincent formed the firm’s Racial Equity Task Force. He issued a directive to each of Dinsmore’s office managing partners to create their own unique action plans to promote social justice and combat racism in their respective communities. Dinsmore Equity and Inclusion Officer Michael Bronson leads the taskforce firm-wide, while partners Alicia Bond-Lewis and Jeffrey Hinebaugh lead the Cincinnati office initiatives.

“It is exciting to see this partnership come to fruition, particularly since access to legal services is a key initiative of the chamber,” Bond-Lewis said. "With this partnership, we are able to provide a variety of services, including advice on a proper entity structure, the creation of an operating agreement and basic tax advice. These are just a few examples of the services we can offer to chamber members which can help create better access to business opportunities, all of which help to add value to the Cincinnati community.” 

AACC Board Chair Jason Dunn is also enthusiastic about the partnership.

“The Chamber continuously looks for individuals and businesses that support Black businesses through membership, partnership or sponsorship,” he said. “This unique collaboration shows Dinsmore’s appreciation for our region, specifically Black communities, Black culture and our belief that when you invest in Black businesses, you are contributing to the progression of our collective society.”

Dinsmore has committed to providing an inclusive culture for all attorneys and staff, and it assumes a moral responsibility to the communities in which it has offices across the country. Ongoing racial disparities and injustices against people of color create a call to action, and Dinsmore is on an unwavering course to help combat racial injustice in all its forms. Learn more about Dinsmore’s diversity efforts here.