Elissa Yancey, MSEd, is an award-winning journalist, educator and non-profit leader who has spent more than three decades listening to, writing about and sharing people’s stories. She has co-founded two story-driven non-profits—WordPlay Cincy and A Picture’s Worth, the latter of which connects individuals and communities via audio stories and in-person installations.
After 10 years teaching and working as an administrator at the University of Cincinnati, she launched a consultancy, EY Ink, that blends her expertise as an educator and communicator with her passion for equity.
Born and raised in Norwood, Ohio, Elissa is a proud Urban Appalachian. Her parents were born on opposite sides of Kentucky—her mother in the Appalachian southeast and her father in suburban northwest. She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Cincinnati and her Master’s in Education from Northwestern University. She still considers Chicago her second city home.
The youngest of six siblings, Elissa spent 12 years as her mother’s caregiver, an experience which inspired her to write her first book, Grab Happy: The Serendipitous and Surprising Sides of Caregiving and Survival.
She has lived in the Cincinnati neighborhood of Northside for more than 15 years, watching it evolve and grow as she raised her two sons, survived the death of both of her parents and a divorce and found new love with her fiancé, artist Francis Huffman.
Photo Credit: The picture above features Elissa (front right) and a few of her junior volunteers: Andrea Hernandez, Daniel Animashaun & Kaylen Brandt.
All three Chicago based volunteers were youth story-gatherers working with A Picture’s Worth and Chicago’s Public Narrative to create more inclusive stories about Chicagoans and their communities. Hats off to these youth volunteers!
Just For Fun:
Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I’ve always been captivated by stories and how they teach us about our world and ourselves. While I love writing, which is an isolating practice, I also love connecting with other people to learn their stories and share ideas about how to create a more just and joyful world.
What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I love Ruth’s Parkside Cafe, a reinvention of Mullane’s Parkside Cafe, which I frequented when I was an undergrad. I also love The Littlefield and Gulow Street, two Northside businesses I can walk to within 5 minutes!
How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have lived in Northside 15+ years, and lived in the Greater Cincinnati area for 4 years before that. I consider myself a lifelong Cincinnatian despite spending time in grad school in Chicago.
Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Too many to list just one! This town is full of amazing people and so much talent.
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would travel to the Grand Canyon because it is an area of our country I haven’t yet explored and hope to this year.
What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
The most recent movie I really enjoyed was “Don’t Look Up.” On TV, I loved “Schitt’s Creek.”
What advice would you give to people?
I would advise people to find ways to meet people who are different from them. Only by stepping out of our comfort zones can we learn and grow. Be willing to change your mind and open to listening more than you talk.
What is something on your bucket list?
Going to Hawaii and seeing the volcanoes there.
What is your go to music when you cant decide what to listen to?
Stevie Wonder
What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Blue Jay Restaurant
If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
I would take Oprah to Ruth’s and we would have a blast. She is brilliant and thoughtful and inspiring.
What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Cincinnati, while a major city, is still small enough that an individual can make a real difference.
Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself supporting the nonprofit A Picture’s Worth as others lead it into a future where we are making a real difference in how people communicate with one another and build communities based on trust and understanding.
What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I was one of the famed Lawnchair Ladies in the Northside Fourth of July Parade for several years.
What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Prague (before the fall of the Soviet Union, oddly enough)
What is your Favorite month? Why?
November! It’s my birthday month.
What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Frisch’s Hot Fudge Cake.
Who inspires you to be better?
My fiance, Francis Huffman.
What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Lavender
Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Love, comfort, understanding
