Strickland picks Reece for state commission

Steve Reece of Monfort Heights, a one-time congressional candidate and longtime activist in Cincinnati Democratic politics, was named by Gov. Ted Strickland today to the Commission on African-American Males. It is an unpaid appointment. The commission reimburses for expenses only.

The commission works toward the improvement of the quality of life for African-American males in Ohio by identifying problems and solutions in the areas of education, health, economics and criminal justice.

Reece, an entrepreneur and community leader, founded "Operation Step-up," a group that engages nearly 1,000 young people and challenges them to become productive citizens by developing their musical talents.

He is an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati evening college and a visiting professor at Grambling State University and Northern Kentucky University.

Reece is a graduate of the Ohio Business and Technology College, Xavier University, and the Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College.