CINspirational People
Cincinnati’s Kelly Richey Talks About Her Inspiration
I’d like to introduce you to Kelly Richey. Kelly is a Cincinnati based musician, writer and educator who has been described as “Stevie Ray Vaughan trapped in a woman’s body with Janis Joplin screaming to get out”. Having shared the stage with many legends, she has been listed as among the top 100 gifted guitarists by the Truefire Community in 2011, and frequently draws comparisons to blues guitar icons Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Kelly has been teaching guitar almost as long as she’s been playing; with over three decades of teaching experience under her belt, she is a deeply dedicated and inspirational guitar instructor who has taught well over 1,000 students to date.
Additionally, in 2009, Kelly founded Powered By Intention, a Coaching Consultancy designed to educate, motivate, and inspire people to identify their life’s true purpose and achieve the life of their dreams. And, she is president of Music4Change, Inc. a Cincinnati nonprofit organization committed to music education in today’s schools as a vehicle for human expression, cultural understanding, and academic achievement. Three specifically aligned programs offer live performance, lecture, interactive participation and facilitate learning opportunities for youth.
As if all of that weren’t enough, Kelly is a gifted writer and shares her talent as a facilitator for another nonprofit called Women Writing for a Change.
On Kelly’s website, she candidly shares her own, very personal story – her journey as a person who has dyslexia and ADHD, and how they impacted her determination and success, and desire to help others succeed.
“Having a reading disability has caused two dynamics for me: 1) I have an insatiable appetite now for learning and 2) I have a passion for teaching and helping others learn. Nothing excites me more than to work with my students and clients… teaching, coaching, consulting,” she wrote.
“Had I not gravitated towards music and discovered books in audio form, I honestly don’t know what I would have done. My life would have turned out much differently, I’m sure. What I know now is that there is no cookie cutter mold to learning. I’m proof that even someone with severe dyslexia can learn to play a musical instrument….For many years having dyslexia negatively affected my self-esteem. It wasn’t until I was in my late 20’s that I began to realize I might actually be rather intelligent.”
Please continue reading to learn more about Cincinnati’s music legend.
GTGA: What is something people may not know about you?
Kelly: People mainly know me as a guitarist, singer/songwriter, recording artist, performer and guitar instructor, but there is an entire “other” side to my life. I am a life coach and hold certifications as a Dream Coach and True Purpose Coach; I’m trained in Voice Dialog; and I recently became certified as a facilitator for Women Writing for a Change. It is my deepest desire for my life’s work to weave together elements of musical performance and recording by teaching one-on-one and workshops, and life coaching and facilitating writing workshops for personal growth and community building.
GTGA: Tell us about a challenge that you overcame in life and how it impacted you.
Kelly: I am dyslexic, so learning to read has presented me with a series of challenges throughout all stages of my life. My dyslexia left me unable to succeed in school, as much of the understanding and support provided in schools today simply did not exist when I was in grade school. Thanks to books in audio format, I’ve managed to work my way through hundreds of books over a lifetime committed to learning and self-education.
Here is an article on my blog, How Dyslexia Made Me a Better Teacher, that addresses this in more depth.
GTGA: What are some of your simple pleasures?
Kelly: A great cup of coffee, conversation with a good friend, healthy places to eat out, and a good power-nap.
GTGA: What is one of your favorite childhood memories?
Kelly: One of my favorite childhood memories is listening to my grandmother tell me stories.
GTGA: Name three things on your Gratititude List.
Kelly: If I had to list three things I was most grateful for, they would be: all the great friends I’ve collected throughout my life, many of whom have been profound teachers; good health and strong constitution; and the ability make a living doing what I love.
GTGA: What is an accomplishment you achieved of which you are proud?
Kelly: Overcoming learning disabilities and finding a way to build a successful and sustainable career doing what I love.
GTGA: Tell us about someone who has been a positive influence on your life and why.
Kelly: My Uncle, Rev. Bob Brown, was one of my biggest influences. He was the preacher for the church where I grew up. My uncle was a passionate preacher, teacher, storyteller and community builder. Our church was the first church to integrate, and it was burned to the ground when I was 5 years old. He was a leader in civil rights; he believed in separation of church and state; and he felt the church should be relevant if it was to serve in meeting the needs of people in their individual communities.
GTGA: What is a motto you live by?
We must first be in integrity with ourselves in order to be in integrity with others.
CINspirational People: Dior Betts
CINspirational People is a feature of Good Things Going Around profiling diverse people of Greater Cincinnati, what inspires them, and what is inspiring about them. You can read more profiles by clicking on the link at the top of the blog. Do you know someone to suggest? Please reach out. Thanks!
Meet a very special young man whose dedication to his classwork, positive outlook on life, and goodwill to others has not gone unnoticed. Dior Betts, son of proud 
parents Ericka King-Betts and Darrell Betts Jr., is his class’ first Student of the Week this year.
From his words:
“Hi! My name is Dior Betts. I have 3 brothers named Simeon, Aaron and Darren. I have a pet dog named Naina and she is a two year old Yorkie. My favorite food is pizza. My favorite snack is Cinnamon Rolls and my favorite color is blue. Lastly, my favorite thing about summer and winter is cruising in the summer and partying in the winter.”
From his teacher:
“Dior was chosen this week as student of the week for his positive attitude and hard work. Dior comes in each day ready to learn. He is also always willing to help those around him and is a great role model at Colerain Elementary.”
Way to go Dior!
NOTE: I also heard that Dior’s brother, Simeon, was named Athlete of the Week. Congratulations to him as well!
CINspirational People: Kenneth Collopy
CINspirational People is a feature of Good Things Going Around profiling diverse people of Greater Cincinnati, what inspires them, and what is inspiring about them. You can read more profiles by clicking on the link at the top of the blog. Do you know someone to suggest? Please reach out. Thanks!
Today I am highlighting a very long time friend who I have known since a little girl when he was my mom’s and my hairdresser, Kenneth Collopy, owner and artistic director of Perfections Hair Salon in Montgomery.
After having trained under the Artistic Director of Antoine’s of New York City, Kenneth’s 55 year career has including cutting and styling hair of many celebrities including the BenGal cheerleaders, Bob Braun, soap opera stars, Elizabeth Taylor, Dianna Ross, and more. It was his long time friend and client of more than 40 years, Carl Linder Jr., who had the biggest impact on Kenneth’s career and life.
Please learn more about Kenneth below.
GTGA: What do you love most about what you do?
Kenneth: It gives me the chance to be artistic and meet some incredibly wonderful people, especially Carl. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss him.
GTGA: In what ways did Carl Linder Jr. influence your life?
Kenneth: He really impacted my entire life. We talked about everything from religion and politics, to business, to life and relationships.
Carl had cards that he would pass out with different quotes on them. One of them was, “Be nice to people on the way up because they are the same ones you will meet on the way down.” Another was about old friends being gold and new ones being silver.
More than just carrying around those sayings, I have never met anyone walk the talk the way that Carl did.
He always made it very clear to me that I was his close friend and he has helped me out many times. I’d watch him talk to his gardeners and he spoke to them no different than he would the President.
Carl was my mentor professionally and in life; and contributed to most of my success. He was the neatest, most loving and generous person I have ever met outside of my father. You could walk in feeling down and you always left Carl with a smile.
GTGA: What is the best advice you have ever received?
Kenneth: Carl always told me to concentrate on my persistence. You have got to believe in what you are doing and put your all into it. Most people give up too soon. If your heart is not into what you are doing, then do not do it.
GTGA: What are some of your simple pleasures?
Definitely fishing and working in my yard.
GTGA: Of what are you most proud?
Kenneth: I am so proud of my family including my wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
I am most grateful because I feel like I have been the most fortunate person I know. Uncle Carl used to say, “I never worked a day in my life and gee, I am lucky. But the harder I work, the luckier I get.” There is a lot of truth in that. If you are negative, then you won’t see the positive. People who recognize the best if life, grab it and go for it.
I have experienced depression all of my life and may never know what it is like to not experience that (with professional help) but I still count my blessings. Depression is a chemical condition. It is very difficult but you learn to live with it and know you are not living in this moment.
I always say the best is yet to come. And I am 72.
CINspirational People: Michelle Dillingham
Michelle Dillingham, MSW, is CEO of Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati. Community Shares is a partnership of 24 diverse Cincinnati area nonprofit organizations, helping member agencies with awareness and support through workplace giving campaigns, professional enrichment, community education and a variety of innovative 
initiatives. Michelle moved to Cincinnati about 19 years ago and has been impacting local lives through social service ever since.
Please read below to learn more about her.
GTGA: Why are you so passionate about social service?
Michelle: When I was young, my family had to access food stamps. It was our having to have needed benefits and services, and recognizing those challenges that drew me to work in social services. This field is a way to connect me with people who are in the struggle and to accompany them along the path as they are trying to get their needs met.
When I am with clients, at their side, whether we are in the food stamp office, they are applying for Section 8 housing, or when they are waiting for the resources and dealing the accompanying frustration, I can say – I know how you feel and it is tough and we will do this together.
Throughout life, I have always been very moved by injustice, strongly feeling a need to respond and do something about it.
GTGA: In life, what is one of proudest accomplishments?
Michelle: Not too long ago I walked into a room for a community meeting and someone made a comment to the effect of, ‘Michelle is here. Oh, now we will keep it real and get some work done.’
That was my proudest moment because what that meant to me was that through the years of my work, others recognize that I legitimately care about justice issues and that I am someone who will dig in and fight for causes. It also said to me that when I participate on an issue, that my contribution is valued.
GTGA: What are some of your simple pleasures in life.
Michelle: My son has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. We got him a recumbent bike that he can ride for miles so we do a lot of bike riding on the Miami Loveland trail. I am from New England, and we also try to get to the ocean at least once a year.
GTGA: What is the best advice you have ever received?
Michelle: I used to think I would be a therapist. Then, one of my first professors as a masters level student told me we can all be a change agent and have the capacity to affect change. It struck me at that moment that not only can I walk with people while they get what they need but I can affect the systems that they are interfacing with. We all have the ability to change the world.
CINspirational People: Aurora Lira
CINspirational People is a feature of Good Things Going Around profiling diverse people of Greater Cincinnati, what inspires them, and what is inspiring about them. You can read more profiles by clicking on the link at the top of the blog. Do you know someone to suggest? Please reach out. Thanks!
I’d like you to meet old Dr. Aurora Lira, M.D. At 88, she wants people to know you are never too old to put on your dancing shoes and have fun in life. It was about 15 years ago for her when she took their first lesson at an Arthur Murray Studio, and she has been hooked ever since.
For years Dr. Lira (who retired as a family medicine practitioner just three years ago) has been learning from, rehearsing and competing with local professional ballroom 
professional, Jozsef Parragh. Entering about four regional competitions every year – including the international Ohio Star Ballroom in Columbus, she just advanced to the Gold Level has amassed an entire cabinet of awards. Most recently she was named the CincySensational Award recipient at the Cincinnati Ballroom Classic.
Born in the Philippines, Dr. Lira moved here many years back to do her residency, met her husband, and eventually came to call Cincinnati her home.
Competitive and compassionate. Strong willed and determined.
A caring woman who loves and takes great pride in her family.
An inspiration to all of us.
– These are among the words Patty Lira Relojo uses to describe her mother.
Let’s learn a little more about Dr. Liro.
GTGA: What do you enjoy most about dancing?
Dr. Lira: Dancing makes me feel young. It makes my mind dance with the music and I forget about everything. I feel like I have to do my best so I can satisfy myself and
I like being viewed as a good dancer, and when I dress up like that people always compliment me.
GTGA: What are your favorite dances?
Dr. Lira: My favorites are the International Smooth Style (International is distinctive in that it emphasizes remaining in a closed dance position) such as the waltz, fox trot, tango and veinnese waltz; and the American Standard Style (American is distinctive in that it is less strict and allows the partner to open up in several steps).
GTGA: Practicing and competing is a lot of work. And each of your competitions includes some 35 to 40 heats. How do you do it?
Dr. Lira: My feet do get sore after dancing so many dances but when I am out on the dance floor I don’t feel it at all. I am just enjoying myself.
GTGA: Tell me about someone who has been an inspiration to you.
Dr. Lira: I owe my dancing to my dance partner and teacher, Jozsef. He said to me, “You can dance whatever you want to dance and you can meet your goal if you want to meet it. You have to be very meticulous in your dance step and your appearance on the dance floor.”
GTGA: What advice do you have for others about reaching for goals?
Dr. Lira: I would tell them that if anyone can do it, you can do it better. That is my motto. When I was younger (I have five sisters and a brother), my father told us what occupation we would all study and become. He told me I was going to be a doctor. I worked hard and became a doctor.
GTGA: How did it make you feel when you were named the Cincysensational Award recipient at the Cincinnati Ballroom Classic?
Dr. Lira: It meant so much to me. I was so happy that I could even cry.
