Public Art and History Tours for African Americans in Cincinnati

Public Art and History Tours for African Americans in Cincinnati

Public art and history tours highlight the lives, accomplishments, and sacrifices of the African American Experience. These public art and history tours are in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky and appear throughout the region.

ArtWorks has designed and installed more than 50 public art exhibits that tell the untold stories of African Americans’ contributions to the rich history and vibrancy of the greater Cincinnati region. The Harriet Beecher Stowe House and other local organizations provide walking tours to highlight landmarks that memorialize the contributions of Black Cincinnatians throughout African American neighborhoods.

African American Public Art

The Face of the Arts

1100 Race Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (OTR)
With the support of the Cincinnati government, P&G, and others, the mural was created by young apprentices and teaching assistants under the direction of Tim Parsley, the project manager.

The Buzz Around Town

1010 Elm Street, 45202 (OTR)
In honor of Scripps National Spelling Bee’s 90th anniversary, ArtWorks produced a mural to honor and reflect the Cincinnati-based program’s mission and spirit, celebrating what has made this international event so meaningful.

Time Saved vs. Time Served

235 W. Court Street, 45202 (OTR)
ArtWorks painted a mural that celebrates and uplifts white, Hispanic, and African American women who are returning citizens. These women have previously been incarcerated. This mural depicts women living in our community who have returned home, become leaders, and sought to break down the stigma surrounding those with criminal records who have re-entered society.

Ezzard Charles: The Cincinnati Cobra

1537 Republic Street, 45202 (OTR)
Ezzard Charles, known as the “Cincinnati Cobra,” was a two-time World Heavyweight Champion, jazz musician, and widely respected citizen of Cincinnati and the Black community.

Faces of Homelessness

1225 Vine Street, 45202 (OTR)
This mural was part of a more extensive awareness project led by ArtWorks and Strategies to End Homelessness. The project looked to use the power of art to bring awareness to housing and homelessness in Cincinnati. It also breaks down stereotypes about those who experience homelessness.

Mr. Dynamite

1437 Main Street, 45202 (Pendleton)
James Brown is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential musicians of the 20th century and a great contributor to Black people and black history. Brown spent the formative years of his career on the Cincinnati-based King Records, producing some of his earliest hits and providing inspiration and guidance to a generation of musicians.

Dreaming Blues

309 E. 13^th Street, 45202 (Pendleton)
Mamie Smith—a legend, icon, and Cincinnati native—was the first African American blues recording artist. In celebration of her remarkable contributions to the American sound of rhythm and blues and her significant place in Cincinnati’s musical history, ArtWorks commissioned Buffalo, New York-based artist Julia Bottoms to create this piece that authentically sings out Mamie’s story and legacy.

From Enslavement to Emancipation: Sky’s The Limit 

1001 Lincoln Avenue, 45206 (Walnut Hills)
The mural represents the existing vibrancy of the neighborhood of Walnut Hills and celebrates the neighborhood rich in Black History and community pride. The mural location sits on the site of The Manse Hotel, one of the listed safe lodgings for African American travelers, listed in Victor Green’s “Negro Motorist Green Book”.

Related Article: Over 10 African American Visual Artists creating Black Art in Cincinnati

A Song of Freedom

3630 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45229 (Avondale)
In partnership with the Avondale Community, ArtWorks has created public artworks to reflect community traditions, stories, and culture and provide employment opportunities for neighborhood residents. This mural is a tribute to the life and legacy of the late Louise Shropshire, an Avondale resident and activist during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, when everything was segregated.

Avondale Heroes

3371 Reading Road, 45229 (Avondale)
 Avondale residents asked ArtWorks to create this mural celebrating African American heroes in Avondale. Lead designer and former Avondale resident James Pate worked with ArtWorks to engage community members to shape the mural’s design, which spotlights the professions of everyday neighborhood heroes such as mothers, barbers, students, police officers, clergy members, and more.

On the Shoulders of Giants

959 W 8^th Street, 45203 (Queensgate)
This mural honors the tradition and legacy of service from the Cincinnati and Hamilton County police forces. A historical image inspires the west-facing wall. The image depicts a police officer with his sidekick, the first-ever Cincinnati police dog.

All You Can Imagine Is Real

1515 Carll Street, 45225 (Fairmount)
Resting upon North Fairmount’s history and surroundings, two larger-than-life portraits stand. The portraits represent the diverse community, the elders, and the youth. Together, they open the pages of a book. A bright image of the sun illuminates a path to a hope-filled future.

What Are the Lyrics to Your Song?

3564 Montgomery Road, 45207 (Evanston)
Drawing from the unique Black history of Evanston, this mural honors the history of King Records and hopes to inspire today’s youth. The mural’s imagery embodies the empowering history of the community and the bright prospects of the future.

Heart of the Community

3301 Beekman Street, 45225 (Millvale)
A local group of youth apprentices and teaching assistants created the painting.

Black Excellence in Zone 15

1201 Steffen Avenue, 45215 (Lincoln Heights)
ArtWorks was proud to partner with The Heights Movement. Lincoln Heights is the first self-governing African American community above the Mason-Dixon Line. It has a rich history of Black men and women Olympians, politicians, scholars, and artists.

Heart & Soul

FotoFocus Cincinnati awarded ArtWorks with a grant to create a photo-based project this summer after the cancellation of the biennial. ArtWorks called upon photographer Nikita Gross to lead a team of eight Youth Apprentices to create the inspiring photo installation, Heart and Soul. Heart and Soul is a series of wheat-pasted mini-murals featuring Black women from Cincinnati amplifying their stories, voices, and faces.

• Annie Ruth, Bailey, and Skye at Avondale Business Center, Avondale – 3635 Reading Road
• Nancy, Crystal, and Taren at Cream + Sugar Coffeehouse, Evanston – 3546 Montgomery Road
• Aliah at The Welcome Project, Camp Washington – 2936 Colerain Avenue
• Ewaniki and Adalia at CampSITE Sculpture Park, Cumminsville — 2866 Colerain Avenue
• Bebe and Nia at Artsville, Madisonville – 5021 Whetsel Avenue
• Schera and Amber at New Generations Banquet Hall, Bond Hill – 4595 Paddock Road
• Aprina, Kimberly, and Honour at The Neighborhood House, West End – 901 Findlay Street
• Sesheta at a private residence, West End – 1801 Baymiller Street
• Kimberly at a private residence, West End – 1900 Baymiller Street

Related Article: Discover Black Artists, Black Jewelry Artisans, and Black Museum Exhibits.

African American History Walking Tours

The Queen City holds a deep and enduring Black heritage, reflected in landmarks, neighborhoods, and stories preserved across generations. Guided tours led by historians illuminate the culture, achievements, and resilience that African Americans have brought to Cincinnati. Spanning several centuries, each experience highlights a different chapter of this history, offering fresh insight into the city’s evolving narrative.

Abolitionists and African Americans in Walnut Hills Walking Tour

Family Friendly
Walnut Hills
$18/nonmembers and $10/members
Regularly scheduled tours are available throughout the spring, summer, and fall.
Learn about the women and men who built the Queen City and Walnut Hills. They have invested in the neighborhood for the past 200 years. This walk will last just under two hours and cover about 1.3 miles. The walking tour starts and ends at Harriet Beecher Stowe House.
Directions

African American History along the Cincinnati Riverfront

Family Friendly
Covington
$18/nonmembers and $10/members
Regularly scheduled tours are available throughout the spring, summer, and fall.
Explore the deep significance of the Ohio River for Cincinnati’s African American history of resistance, achievement, and leadership from the 1800s through the 20th century. Connect to the history of Margaret Garner, Marian Spencer, James Bradley, Cincinnati’s Black Brigade, and more. This walk will last just under 2 hours. The walking tour starts at the John Augustus Roebling Statue on the Covington, KY side of the Roebling Bridge and ends in Smale Park on the Cincinnati, OH side of the Roebling Bridge.
Directions

Over-the-Rhine African American History

Family Friendly
OTR
$20
Regularly scheduled tours are available from May through October
This tour begins with early abolitionist efforts in Over-the-Rhine in the early 19th century. It highlights the active role of African Americans in shaping Over-the-Rhine. The tour includes African American leadership, family life, leisure, education, discrimination, and working conditions. It pays special attention to recent social activism. This tour begins at Ziegler Park.
Directions

Related Article: Learn more about your heritage with these Cincinnati Black historic sites.

Public art and history tours continue to safeguard stories that might otherwise fade from view. Together, murals, museums, neighborhood landmarks, and guided walks form a living archive—one that honors generations of African Americans whose labor, leadership, and creativity shaped the region. As these experiences expand and evolve, they ensure that the legacy of Black Cincinnatians remains visible, celebrated, and deeply connected to the greater Cincinnati community.

The Voice of Black Cincinnati is a media company designed to educate, recognize, and create opportunities for African Americans. Want to find local news, events, job postings, scholarships, and a database of local Black-owned businesses? Visit our homepage, explore other articles, subscribe to our newsletter, like our Facebook page, join our Facebook group, and text VOBC to 513-966-3328.

Public art and history tours images provided by Artworks.

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