Mattie Legacy Project

WHO WAS MATTIE BELL KINNEY

Mattie Bell Kinney (1926–1977) was a force of nature — a mother of eight, civil rights leader, health advocate, youth mentor, businesswoman, and a voice for those often overlooked.

Born in Marion, Alabama, she came of age in the deeply segregated South that shaped many who would go on to lead change in their communities.

Determined to build a better life, Mattie migrated to Cincinnati in the late 1940s, where she rooted herself in service and quickly became a central figure in her community. She dedicated her life to strengthening families, advocating for equity, and transforming systems through action — laying the foundation for a legacy that would continue to impact lives long after her passing.

Despite her many accomplishments, Mattie’s legacy was not properly preserved after her passing in 1977. Her awards were lost, her achievements went undocumented, and her name faded from public memory.

She became one of Cincinnati’s many forgotten leaders — a woman who shaped systems and saved lives, yet whose story was nearly erased.

Today, through the Mattie Legacy Project, her story is being recovered, preserved, and shared, ensuring that future generations know Mattie not just as a figure of the past, but as a blueprint for love, leadership, and legacy in action.

Civil Rights & Community Leadership

During the 1960s, Mattie played a pivotal role in building interracial dialogue and trust. As a member of the Catholic Interracial Council, she co-led the city’s first Interracial Home Visitation Program in 1965, part of a national campaign to break down barriers between Black and white families through informal gatherings in each other’s homes.

Over 1,200 participants took part across Greater Cincinnati, culminating in a citywide proclamation by Mayor Walton Bachrack declaring May 23, 1965, as Interracial Home Visit Day. Mattie was later appointed co-chair of the program’s second year and hosted gatherings in her own home at 409 Clinton Springs Avenue.

Her civic leadership extended through her work with the Avondale Community Council, NAACP, Woman’s City Club of Cincinnati, Urban League Guild, Cincinnati Human Relations Commission, Mt. Auburn Employment Committee, Opportunities Industrialization Center Board, and other organizations. She spearheaded initiatives like the Avondale Clean-Up Project, launched after the 1968 uprisings following Dr. King’s assassination. Partnering with youth-led groups like Burnet University, she helped rebuild and restore pride in Avondale.

Mattie’s ability to move between grassroots organizing and high-level civic conversations allowed her to work alongside local leaders such as civic activist Al Bilik and Ohio Governor John Gilligan. Her voice brought neighborhood concerns to the attention of decision-makers and built bridges between communities and government.

Youth Empowerment & Mentorship

Mattie believed that investing in young people was essential to building a just future. She served on parent-teacher associations at North Avondale School, Woodward High School, Sacred Heart Academy, and Cincinnati Country Day School.

Through the Citizens Committee on Youth, Mattie helped launch programs like Rent-A-Kid, which connected teens with paid short-term jobs in their neighborhoods. She also worked as a job placement specialist at Hughes High School, matching students with employment opportunities and mentorship to prepare them for meaningful careers.

Judge Olive L. Holmes of Hamilton County Juvenile Court once said:

“Mattie Kinney is the only woman I know who ever told the Juvenile Court, ‘Any child that needs a bed, food, or care is welcome in my home. I have a big house and plenty to go around.’”

This was no exaggeration — Mattie regularly opened her home to children and teens in crisis, offering them stability, guidance, and love when they had nowhere else to turn.

Health Advocacy & Cancer Awareness

Mattie was a trailblazer in public health advocacy, especially for Black women. After facing her own breast cancer diagnosis, she became determined to educate women about the importance of early detection and access to care.

In 1972, Mattie co-chaired the Special Health Education Committee of the American Cancer Society (ACS). She focused outreach in underserved neighborhoods such as Avondale, Walnut Hills, Evanston, and Lincoln Heights, often collaborating with churches and grassroots organizations to spread information. She partnered with Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth to organize transportation for seniors to access free screenings and care.

Her leadership helped secure groundbreaking funding, including:

$22,775 from General Electric, the largest single donation ever made to the ACS Ohio Unit at that time.
$78,500 from the ACS Ohio Division to fund screenings for 1,500 low-income Black women — the largest grant of its kind at the time.

These efforts laid the groundwork for the Center for Early Detection of Breast Cancer at Cincinnati General Hospital, where Mattie played a key role in outreach and volunteer coordination. Her work became a national model for preventative cancer care and a lifeline for countless women.

Entrepreneurship & Economic Empowerment

In the late 1950s, Mattie and her husband, Sherman Kinney Jr., a WWII Marine veteran, launched S.K. Janitorial Service, headquartered at 3924 Reading Road in Avondale.

The company grew to become one of the most successful Black-owned commercial cleaning services in Ohio, operating 24 hours a day and holding major contracts in Cincinnati and Dayton. Mattie was deeply involved in securing contracts and managing the business side, including a maid service division where she trained local women and teens in professional housekeeping.

By 1972, S.K. Janitorial Service had secured nearly $40,000 in federal subcontracts — the equivalent of about $285,000 today — a remarkable milestone for a Black-owned business in Cincinnati at that time. More than a business, it became a pathway to independence and employment, especially for women striving to support their families.

Awards & Recognition

Mattie’s leadership and service were widely celebrated during her lifetime.

Her honors include:

Mother of the Year, Tau Chapter, Iota Phi Lambda Sorority (1966)
Etherlrie Harper Award (1969)
Mother of the Year, Wayfarers’ Club of Cincinnati (1969)
Volunteer Award, Urban League of Greater Cincinnati (1974)
Woman of the Year, Cincinnati Enquirer (1975)
Outstanding Volunteer, American Cancer Society

These awards reflected the breadth of her impact — from public health to civil rights to youth advocacy — and her reputation as a trusted leader across many sectors of Cincinnati life.

Organizations & Affiliations

Mattie Bell Kinney was actively involved in numerous organizations that reflected her commitment to civil rights, health advocacy, youth mentorship, and community transformation. Through these groups, she built bridges between neighborhoods, institutions, and leaders across Cincinnati.

Civic & Political Engagement

NAACP, Cincinnati Chapter

Woman’s City Club of Cincinnati

League of Women Voters

Avondale Community Council

Human Relations Commission

Al Bilik Campaign Committee

Catholic Interracial Council

Health & Human Services

American Cancer Society

1974 Cancer Crusader

March of Dimes

Catholic Support for Wayward Youth

Opportunities Industrialization Center

Education & Youth Advocacy

Catholic Interracial Council

Urban League Guild

Rent-A-Kid Program

Citizens Committee on Youth

Neighborhood Youth Corps

Hughes High School

Arts & Media

Friends of the Theater, Inc.

WCET (Public Television)

Learn More Mattie

Mattie Kinney at Huges High School 2_edited.jpg

MATTIE IN THE NEWS

An Archival Collection

This collection of more than 80 newspaper articles captures moments from Mattie’s life and work as they were documented by the local press. Each clipping offers a window into her impact as a community leader, health advocate, and champion for equity.

The_Cincinnati_Enquirer_1976_01_11_Page_117 (1).jpg

Mattie’s life reminds us that true leadership begins with service to others.

HOW WE PLAN TO HONOR THE LEGACY

This project is rooted in love, legacy, and the belief that Mattie deserves to be honored not just as a family matriarch, but as a leader whose work changed lives. Our goal is to bring her story forward through meaningful, lasting forms of recognition that reflect the depth of her impact.

We hope to honor her in three core ways:

A Public Exhibition
A visual storytelling experience that shares Mattie’s life through archival materials, photographs, quotes, and curated panels — highlighting her work in civil rights, health advocacy, and community leadership.

An Original Documentary Film
A 25–30 minute short film narrated by her granddaughter, featuring interviews, historical context, and Mattie’s own words — offering a personal and powerful portrait of her legacy.

Ongoing Educational & Recognition Projects
From school programming to historical preservation efforts, we hope this work leads to broader inclusion of Mattie’s story in public memory — including city recognition, youth engagement, and collaborations with cultural institutions.

This isn’t just about looking back. It’s about ensuring her life continues to inspire, educate, and uplift for generations to come.

How we plan to honor

Mattie Kinney at Huges High School_edite

SUPPORT THE PROJECT

This project isn’t backed by a major institution — it’s built from love, research, family memory, and the belief that stories like Mattie’s deserve to be seen and saved. Every archive I've created, every interview I’ve collected, every article I've uncovered has been done with care and intention — and now, I need support to take this next step.

Your contribution helps fund:

Materials and printing for a public exhibition
Production of an original short documentary film
Preservation efforts that ensure Mattie’s legacy reaches schools, cultural spaces, and future generations

Whether you're an educator, historian, artist, neighbor, or someone who simply believes in honoring Black women’s history — this project needs you.

Let’s bring Mattie’s story into the light together.

❤️ Make a Donation

Become a Sponsor

Download the Full Sponsorship Packet

Meet the Curator

Hello, my name is Laura Kinney-Porter

Laura Kinney-Porter, Mattie’s granddaughter, is the driving force behind this legacy project. Through years of research, archival work, and community outreach, Laura has gathered scattered pieces of her grandmother’s history — from lost newspaper clippings and photographs to stories passed down through family and neighbors.

Her work ensures that Mattie’s powerful story, once at risk of being forgotten, is preserved, honored, and celebrated for generations to come.

Learn More About Laura