Cincinnati Project opens ‘What Is and What Can Be’ at UC
Collaborative exhibit highlights challenges and triumphs experienced by local women of color
Event Information (passed)
By: John(na) Jackson
A new exhibit focused on centering the experiences of women of color in Cincinnati opens Sunday, Sept. 16, in the Tangeman University Center atrium at the University of Cincinnati.
"What Is and What Can Be: Women of Color and the Struggle for Justice in Cincinnati," an initiative of The Cincinnati Project (TCP), will be on display through Wednesday, Sept. 19. The project highlights the stories and work of local activists, scholars and UC students.
The exhibit aims to draw attention to the myriad ways that women of color lead and support their communities while also being exposed to higher poverty rates and health problems than their white counterparts. Women featured in the project reveal the ramifications of these social inequities by “sharing their visions of, and hopes for the future,” according to the TCP website.
A panel discussion with members of the UC campus community takes place at 3 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 18, in the TUC atrium. Panel participants include:
- Ariel Shaw, women’s, gender, sexuality studies student
- Brittany Bibb, program coordinator for the African American Cultural and Resource Center
- Anjali Dutt, assistant professor of psychology
- JT Roane, assistant professor of women’s, gender, sexuality studies
- Stephanie Sadre-Orafai, associate professor and co-director of the critical visions certificate program.
They will elaborate on their roles in the construction of the exhibit and the value of projects that amplify the voices of women of color.
Jennifer Malat, associate dean for social sciences and director of TCP, believes the exhibit is as inspiring as it is necessary.
“The project was important for TCP because it demonstrates what faculty, students, and community can do when working together on a common goal” says Malat.
“In this case, the goal was to amplify the voices of women of color. Based on conversations with community organizers and organizations, we understood that there would be value in collecting and raising up the multitude of experiences of women of color in Cincinnati,” she said.
The exhibit asks viewers to consider what is home? What is community? What is ours? What is fair? What is action? Viewers are encouraged to contribute by adding their own stories to the exhibit, and oral histories gathered by Roane and Dutt are available to listen to on a Soundcloud page accompanying the exhibit.
Hosted by TCP and the UC Department of Anthropology, the exhibit originally debuted downtown at Reverb Art + Design Sept. 5-11.
The exhibit is funded in part by grants from The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. / U.S. Bank Foundation, The Murray and Agnes Seasongood Good Government Foundation, and UC's McMicken College of Arts and Sciences.
Related Stories
Love it or raze it?
February 20, 2026
An architectural magazine covered the demolition of UC's Crosley Tower.
Discovery Amplified expands research, teaching support across A&S
February 19, 2026
The College of Arts & Sciences is investing in a bold new vision for research, teaching and creative activity through Discovery Amplified. This initiative was launched through the Dean’s Office in August 2024, and is expanding its role as a central hub for scholarly activity and research support within the Arts & Sciences (A&S) community. Designed to serve faculty, students, and staff, the initiative aims to strengthen research productivity, foster collaboration, and enhance teaching innovation. Discovery Amplified was created to help scholars define and pursue academic goals while increasing the reach and impact of A&S research and training programs locally and globally. The unit provides tailored guidance, connects collaborators, and supports strategic partnerships that promote innovation across disciplines.
CCM Philharmonia presents concert + livestream on Feb. 20
February 18, 2026
Audiences can enjoy CCM Philharmonia's next concert in person or watch at home via livesteam at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20. Featuring alumni guest artists Rebecca Barnes, viola; and Jonathan Lee, cello; tickets for the "Midlife Crisis" concert are on sale now through the CCM Box Office. The livesteam is free to watch on CCM's website and YouTube channel.