A Passion for Service – Laketa Cole’s Story
February 27, 2009
Despite being the first African American woman appointed to Cincinnati’s City Council, Laketa Cole has overcome challenges to become the President Pro Tem of Ohio’s third largest city’s legislative body.
Laketa is the first person in her family to get involved in politics. Laketa grew up in a single-parent home and learned about hard work and values from her mother, her aunts and uncles, eventually becoming the first member of her family to earn a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s as well.
Campaigning is tough, says Cole, who is currently running her final City Council campaign due to term limits.
“African Americans typically don’t raise as much money in local races, so it takes twice as much work to have the resources to run an effective campaign,” said Cole. In a city like Cincinnati, Council Candidates run commercials on network television, which makes for very expensive races. Laketa Cole makes up her disadvantage in fundraising by doing what she calls “putting in more shoe leather,” pounding the pavement, and going door-to-door in the City’s 52 neighborhoods.
But Councilmember Cole has always done a lot to reach out to the community. As the former chair of Council’s Vibrant Neighborhoods, Recreation, Parks and Public Services Committee, she made it her duty to get as much community input as possible. “The job requires a lot of personal sacrifice,” said Cole, “This isn’t a normal 9-5 job – constituents expect us to be everywhere all the time. It’s something that I’m happy to do, but I can’t remember the last time I had a free weekend.”
Ms. Cole speaks often to groups of students, young girls and young people about leadership and public service. From girl scouts to school groups, she never misses an opportunity to be a role model. Her campaigns often involve students, and even a cheerleading squad got into the act. Laketa’s style is hands on – to get in there and work right along side her volunteers and co-workers. “I’m willing to get my hands dirty. My title will never get bigger than who I am,” says Cole.
Asked about all the hard work and long hours, Cole said, “It’s worth it. It’s worth it to be a role model for young women. I explain to them, that I’ve had to be the conductor of my own train and that the train should never leave the station without knowing where it’s going. Life can have detours, but you have to know where you’re going.”
In 2009, Councilmember Cole was appointed Chair of the prestigious and highly influential Finance Committee, which manages the City’s $1.3 billion budget. Even though the 2009 election will be her last for Cincinnati City Council (due to term limits), Laketa Cole won’t be one to fade into the sunset; she will be one woman to watch.
For more about Laketa, visit: http://www.laketacole.com