2026 Cincy Human Rights Action Plan
The 2026 Cincy LOC has been addressing Human Rights concerns as outlined in the initial Ergon Report for more than one year. We have engaged, listened and learned from our local subject matter experts and professionals directly connected to rights holders through their work. These insights are guiding us in the development, and ultimately, the execution of our human rights plan once we are named a Host City for FIFA World Cup 2026. We have also addressed additional feedback from FIFA, US Soccer and Ergon. This document covers more detail than we could have provided in a 90-minute call. We would like to draw attention, in particular, to the methodologies for engagement directly with rights holders and a special section related to the rights and protection of children. The strategies and actions detailed in this document were developed by our Cincinnati team with the intent of applying them across the group of strategic Midwest markets that will support FIFA World Cup 2026 in Cincinnati. Members of the 2026 Cincy LOC Human Rights Leadership Committee
Members of the 2026 Cincy LOC Human Rights Leadership Committee
*All of these members were present for the FIFA/Ergon call on November 22, 2021 or have committed their support to the effort.
2026 Cincy LOC Leadership Team:
Jeff Berding, Co-Founder & President, FC Cincinnati
Jackie Reau, CEO, Game Day
Mary Stagaman, Principal, Mary Stagaman LLC
The 2026 Cincy LOC Human Rights Co-Chairs:
Katie Blackburn, Executive Vice President, Cincinnati Bengals
Eddie Koen, CEO, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio
Amy Spiller, President, Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky
2026 Cincy LOC Human Rights Strategic Advisors:
Senator Rob Portman, U.S. Senate
David Yost, Ohio Attorney General
Daniel Cameron, Kentucky Attorney General
Danielle Minson, CEO, The Jewish Federation
Rickell Smith, Executive Director, Social Justice Center at the Urban League
Lilleana Cavanaugh, Executive Director,Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs
Alana Jochum, Executive Director, Equality Ohio
Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey, Hamilton Count
Chip Gerhardt, National Disability Rights Advocate
Roula Allouch, National Board Chair, Council on American-Islamic Relations
Mel Gravely, Entrepreneur, Author, Advocate for Racial Equity
Woodrow Keown, CEO, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Sasha Naiman, Executive Director, Children’s Law Center
Leadership of the five focus areas of the Human Rights initiatives:
Workers’ Rights
Brian Griffin, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, AFL-CIO
Liza Smitherman, Chief People Officer, Jostin Construction
Migrant Rights
Dr. Rajinder Kaur Narang, Vice President, Enterprise Diversity & Inclusion Talent Strategy, Fidelity Investments
Dr. Bryan Wright, Executive Director, Cincinnati Compass
Housing Rights
Kristen Baker, Executive Director, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
Robert Killins, Director, Strategic Initiatives, Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Bobby Maly, Chief Executive Officer, The Model Group
Human Trafficking
Harold D’Souza, President, Eyes Open International
Erin Meyer, Coalition Manager, End Slavery Cincinnati
Safety and Security
Chief Deputy Jay Gramke, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office
Lt. Col. Michael John, Cincinnati Police Department