What is an American Hero?

Dayton Democracy Fellow Tara Campbell always had one goal: to be part of meaningful change. Now the executive president of the Dayton United for Human Rights coalition, her interest in community activism started early, inspired by two mentors. One was Mona Jordan, who supervised her when she worked summers for a neighborhood organization. When Campbell attended Central State University West (now Central State University-Dayton), she gained another mentor in the late Idotha “Bootsie” Neal, the college’s director and the first Black woman on the Dayton City Commission. “Under both of their leadership is where my understanding of democracy, community, and civic engagement started from,” Campbell said.

After college, she entered the housing industry, and for more than 30 years has worked in the public and private housing sector. Campbell believes that access to safe and affordable housing is not just a need, it’s essential for stability, growth, and opportunity.“