Barbara Turner Appointed ULGSO Board of Trustees Chair

Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio (ULGSO) has appointed Barbara A. Turner, CRCP , as Chair of its Board of Trustees, effective March 23, 2023. Turner succeeds J. Phillip Holloman , who has served as Chair for the past four years.

Barbara takes the helm as we open the new Holloman Center for Social Justice and as the League celebrates its 75th Anniversary!

“As a long-time supporter of the Urban League, I am very excited to take on the role as Chair of the Board of Trustees,” says Turner. “The League has helped thousands of people in Greater Cincinnati and Greater Dayton find economic parity through education, development, and advocacy. I look forward to working closely with our experienced and dedicated Board members to continue progressing the League’s mission, vision and values.”

During his time as Chair, Holloman and his wife, Gail, were responsible for founding and establishing the Holloman Center for Social Justice in 2020.

“It’s been a great honor to have served as Chair of the Urban League’s Board of Trustees,” says Holloman, who retired as President and Chief Operating Officer of Cintas in July 2018. “I’m incredibly proud of what the League accomplished and the more than 40,000 persons served annually during my tenure. I’m confident in our future and Barbara’s leadership as we continue to help drive financial empowerment to Southwestern Ohio’s Black community.”

“This is such an exciting time for the League," says Christie Kuhns , ULGSO President and CEO. "Barbara brings a wealth of board success and strategic vision to the League, which is critical for our organization to continue to meet the community's needs. I could not be happier about her appointment. I am also deeply grateful to Phillip for his vision, dedication, leadership and passion as Chair."

Turner has more than 35 years of leadership experience. She served as President and CEO of Ohio National Financial Service (now known as Constellation Insurance ) from January 2021 until November 2022. She was the first woman and person of color to hold this position since Ohio National’s founding in 1909.

A Cincinnati native, Turner attended the University of Cincinnati. She graduated from the SIFMA/Wharton Securities Industry Institute (SII) and was the first woman in the nation to complete the FINRA/Wharton Certified Regulatory Compliance Professional (CRCP) program.

Barbara Tuner is the recipient of many accolades and awards, including the 2022 BBBS of Greater Cincinnati BIG Breakfast Honoree; the 2022 Talbert House Ernest Talbert Award; the 2022 Sister Accord Leadership Award; and the 2022 Women Helping Women Champion Award.

Turner and her husband, Daman, have three adult children and five grandchildren. She enjoys spending time with family as well as traveling, cooking, reading, collecting art and attending local arts events. She has an extraordinary passion for mentoring at-risk teenage girls and single mothers and helping individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency, financial security, and independence.

For more information about the League’s Board of Trustees, contact Gina H. Goings at ggoings@ulgso.org or visit www.ulgso.org/board-of-trustees.