Iris Roley: Power to the People

Interview and story by Elissa Yancey, A Picture’s Worth

Iris Roley values racial justice. It has been a guiding force of her life, from growing up with Civil Rights’ legends in Cincinnati to stepping up to fight systemic racism and advocate for police accountability and reform. Perhaps best known for her leadership work around the city’s Collaborative Agreement with the police department, Roley continues to show up, and speak up, wherever she sees racist policies and practices. In the photo she chose to describe, she appears as an iconic silhouette, her right fist raised to the sky as she speaks in front of a mostly white crowd of more than 10,000 people. It’s Jan 21, 2017, at Cincinnati’s first Women’s March.