When someone experiences trauma, the impact rarely stops with one person. Families, loved ones, and entire care circles can find themselves walking the journey alongside a survivor. In this Cleveland Pulse clip, Nicole McKinney Johnson explains why creating safe, calming spaces is such an important part of supporting survivors—and why people need to know that allies are available when they need them. That support means having people willing to stand with survivors, advocate alongside them, and speak up for them when needed—24 hours a day, seven days a week. Nicole also recognizes the network of people who make that support possible: volunteers, therapists, advocates, organizational leadership, board members, community partners, and those working directly with survivors every day. Because this is work no one can do alone. 🎙️ Watch Nicole McKinney Johnson's conversation on Cleveland Pulse and learn why building a true community of support matters. #ClevelandPulse #NicoleMcKinneyJohnson #SurvivorSupport #ClevelandNAACP #CommunityCare

What happens when keeping a family together comes at the expense of a survivor's healing? Nicole McKinney Johnson joins Cleveland Pulse for a powerful conversation about breaking generational cycles, confronting uncomfortable truths, and understanding the complicated pressures survivors may carry. Nicole explains that speaking up can feel bigger than one person's experience. Survivors may worry about family relationships, Child Protective Services, incarceration, legal expenses, and the economic consequences that could follow disclosure. Those concerns can become another burden placed on someone who is already trying to process what happened and heal. As Nicole puts it, there are layers to this conversation—and peeling them back requires us to confront why families sometimes struggle to talk openly about abuse. Breaking generational cycles starts when we create families and communities where difficult conversations can happen and survivors can seek support without being expected to carry responsibility for everyone else's consequences. 🎙️ Watch this Cleveland Pulse conversation with Nicole McKinney Johnson. #ClevelandPulse #NicoleMcKinneyJohnson #ClevelandNAACP #BreakingGenerationalCycles #SurvivorSupport

Some of the most important conversations in our families, workplaces, and communities are also the hardest ones to have. In this episode of Cleveland Pulse, host Edwin Hubbard Jr. sits down with Nicole McKinney Johnson, President and CEO of the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, for an honest conversation about sexual assault, human trafficking, consent, survivor support, family communication, workplace responsibility, advocacy, and the power of creating safe spaces where people can speak openly. Nicole shares her journey from a nearly 30-year career in human resources across multiple industries to leading an organization whose mission is deeply personal to her. She also explains how the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center grew from one telephone and six women into an organization serving communities across multiple counties through advocacy, education, case management, survivor services, and partnerships. But this conversation goes beyond one organization. Edwin and Nicole examine why sexual violence can remain hidden inside families and communities, why men and boys also need spaces to talk about sexual assault, and why parents should begin teaching children about body ownership, boundaries, consent, and trusted communication early in life. For business owners, managers, nonprofit leaders, educators, parents, and community builders, the workplace discussion is especially important. What happens when an employee experiences sexual harassment? Do people trust leadership or HR enough to report what happened? Are organizations creating environments where difficult concerns can actually be raised? Nicole brings her decades of HR experience into the conversation to explain why policies alone aren't enough...people also need trusted systems and access to support. The discussion also explores human trafficking, misconceptions about what trafficking looks like, barriers survivors can face when seeking justice, and why community advocacy matters in courtrooms, workplaces, neighborhoods, and the Ohio Statehouse. At its core, this episode is about Cleveland community advocacy and our willingness to have uncomfortable conversations in comfortable rooms. Building safer communities requires more than awareness. It requires education, communication, advocacy, trusted institutions, and people willing to use their influence. Nicole also discusses leadership, legacy, mentorship, and why meaningful community work cannot be done alone. Her challenge is simple: bring these conversations into spaces where they aren't already happening and connect people with organizations doing the work. Cleveland Pulse, hosted by Edwin Hubbard Jr., brings Cleveland's leaders, advocates, entrepreneurs, and community builders into conversations about the issues shaping Northeast Ohio. It's a civil rights podcast focused on Black leadership in Cleveland, Cleveland civic engagement, community advocacy, and turning influence into meaningful action. Content note: This episode contains discussion of sexual assault, rape, human trafficking, and survivor experiences. 00:00:00 — Uncomfortable Conversations in Comfortable Rooms 00:00:18 — Edwin Hubbard Jr. Introduces Nicole McKinney Johnson 00:01:21 — Nicole's Journey to the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center 00:01:52 — 51 Years of the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center 00:03:18 — What the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center Actually Does 00:05:04 — Who Is Impacted by Sexual Violence? 00:06:31 — Human Trafficking and the Cleveland Community 00:07:09 — Supporting Survivors of Trafficking and Exploitation 00:08:33 — When Do You Call a Crisis Center Instead of Police? 00:10:17 — What Sexual Assault and Consent Mean 00:11:51 — Men and Boys Can Be Survivors Too 00:14:03 — Reporting Sexual Assault and Workplace Harassment 00:16:07 — How Parents Can Talk to Children About Body Safety 00:19:04 — Why Survivors Sometimes Don't Tell Their Families 00:22:11 — Recognizing What We May Be Missing 00:22:55 — Survivors, the Court System, and Access to Justice 00:24:07 — Advocacy, Legislation, and Making Our Voices Heard 00:25:08 — Creating Safe and Supportive Spaces for Survivors 00:26:24 — Why Community Partnerships Matter 00:26:55 — Nicole on Leadership and the Legacy She Wants to Leave 00:32:21 — How to Support the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center 00:33:02 — Connecting With Nicole McKinney Johnson 00:33:40 — Closing Thoughts from Cleveland Pulse

Protecting children starts with communication—and those conversations can begin as soon as children are learning the names of their body parts. In this Cleveland Pulse clip, we discuss why parents and guardians should create an environment where children feel comfortable talking about their bodies, their boundaries, and situations that make them feel scared or uncomfortable. The goal isn't to frighten children. It's to build trust before a difficult situation ever happens. When young people know they can talk openly with the adults who care for them, we give them language to express themselves, ask questions, and speak up when something doesn't feel right. For parents, caregivers, educators, mentors, and community leaders across Cleveland, this is a conversation worth having. How are we creating spaces where our children know they can talk—and know we'll listen? #ClevelandPulse #Parenting #ChildSafety #YouthMentorship #ClevelandNAACP

Don't wait until the last minute to make your voice heard. Early voting runs October 6 through November 1, 2026. Election Day is November 3. Make your plan. See you at the polls! #ClevelandPulse #VoteOhio #ClevelandCivicEngagement #PowerInThePulse

Your voice matters, Cleveland. Governor, U.S. Senate, and Congress are on the 2026 ballot. Early voting starts October 6. Know your options. Make your plan. Cast your ballot. #ClevelandPulse #VotingRightsCleveland #CivicEngagement #PowerInThePulse

Being registered to vote is just the beginning. Before early voting begins October 6th, take some time to review the candidates and understand who's running in each race. An informed voter is an engaged community member. Research the candidates. Review your ballot. Make your voice count. #ClevelandVotes #VoterEducation #OhioElections #CivicEngagement #ClevelandPulse

What does it mean to build a legacy that lifts others? On this episode of Cleveland Pulse, Edwin Hubbard Jr. sits down with Cleveland leader Alexandria Johnson Boone for a powerful conversation about mentorship, leadership, and creating opportunities for the next generation. Alexandria shares the story behind the Women of Color Foundation, the mentors who shaped her journey, and why successful leaders must be willing to pass the baton. They also explore collaboration over competition, supporting Black women, and preparing young professionals to lead. A meaningful conversation about Black leadership in Cleveland, community impact, and the responsibility to pay it forward.