CINCINNATI - TelAve -- This week, Alicia Reece, Hamilton (Ohio) County Commission President, and Founder of the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame, led the announcement of the third class of Inductees for the new Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame at the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati. The 2023 Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame Inductees are: The Deele, featuring L.A. Reid and Babyface, Louise Shropshire, Philippé Wynne, and James Brown. During the event, she also took the time to recognize the talents and contributions of acclaimed guitarist and singer, Sheldon Reynolds, who was scheduled to attend.

"Telling the story of Sheldon Reynolds and his amazing career is what the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame is all about. So much talent has come out of Southwest Ohio and now the world will know," states President Alicia Reece, visionary Founder of the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame. "We are making history this year with the Grand Opening of the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame. This new state-of-the-art interactive tourism attraction celebrating the rich culture of Black musical artists, producers, and songwriters will educate, entertain, and attract tourists worldwide while bringing together multi-generations of families to enjoy this free park. We will also celebrate Mr. Reynolds' music career with a special interactive kiosk that will debut at the historic Grand Opening."

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Sheldon Reynolds was remembered during the "Special Recognition" portion of the event where he was hailed as one of the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame's "Top Music Influencers." There are over 60 individuals, groups, and organizations in the new Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame that will have this distinction and recognition of their significant contributions to the music industry. All of these artists will join the 2021 Founding Inductees- Bootsy Collins, The Isley Brothers, Dr Charles Fold, and Otis Williams. Plus, the 2022 Inductees- Midnight Star, featuring Reggie and Vincent Calloway, Penny Ford, Hi-Tek, and Wilbert Longmire.

Whether as a guitarist or vocalist, soloist or band member, Sheldon Reynolds, has been an important Black music figure since first stepping onstage in the 1970s. The Cincinnati native, born in 1959, began playing guitar at eight years old and was a prodigy by 12 years old. Mr. Reynolds attended the University of Cincinnati. and toured with Millie Jackson. He was a member of the group, "Sun," and recorded three albums with them. In 1983, Mr. Reynolds joined the band, "The Commodores," and sang on the album, "Night Shift," and played on the album, "United." He next joined the band, "Earth, Wind & Fire," as lead guitarist and co-vocalist. Mr. Reynolds played on such hit albums as "Touch the World," "The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Volume 2," "Heritage," "Millennium," and "In the Name of Love." He earned a GRAMMY nomination with the band and was inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame. Mr. Reynolds passed away on May 23, 2023.

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The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame is Ohio's newest tourism attraction that will feature augmented reality activations, an experiential drum machine, a musical waterfall, nightly jam sessions, as well as interactive kiosks that honor the contributions of Black musical artists from Southwest Ohio (i.e., Cincinnati, Dayton, Hamilton, Middletown, and Springfield). The historic Grand Opening on July 22, 2023 will feature the 2023 Induction Ceremony, guided tours of the attraction as well as a free concert by the Ohio Players. The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame sits on the Ohio Riverbanks next to the Andrew Brady Center and across from Paycor Stadium, home of the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals and the Cincinnati Music Festival.

The 2023 sponsors of the historic Grand Opening of the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame are P&G, The Kroger Company, Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, All in Cincinnati, First Financial Bank, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Cincinnati Music Festival, and the Cochran Firm. For more information on the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame, visit https://www.cincyblackmusicwalkoffame.org.