Celebrating Robert Killins Jr.: A 2024 Men of Honor Honoree
Men of Honor is a community celebration honoring the accomplishments of extraordinary African American men. This year’s distinguished honorees include Dr. Jonathan Brown, Darryl Haley, Max Langenkamp, Roddell McCullough, and Greater Cincinnati Foundation’s (GCF) very own, Robert Killins Jr.
Robert is a beloved family man, mentor, coworker, philanthropist, and community advocate. To anyone who has ever met Robert, he is also a friend. As vice president of community investments for GCF, Robert leads GCF’s highly effective community investments program. Through his work at GCF, Robert has deployed nearly $30 million in impact investments that create regional opportunities, including greater housing affordability and job creation. Robert is also a driving force behind the Cincinnati Black Giving Circle, a coalition that partners with GCF to pool resources among Black Greater Cincinnatians to accelerate social change. He has been with GCF since 2010.
Before his tenure at GCF, Robert worked at Procter and Gamble for 24 years, including the P&G Fund. After retiring from P&G, Robert embarked on a new career as a substitute teacher in 15 Cincinnati Public Schools, where he taught various subjects across all grade levels. That experience still informs his work at GCF today.
Rasheda Cromwell, chief impact officer at GCF and a longtime colleague and friend has witnessed the warmth, character, and innovative spirit that Robert brings to work every day.
“I am so excited for you, Robert, and I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award,” said Rasheda. “It has been a privilege to work alongside you. You are incredibly brilliant, and you have a heart of gold. GCF and the community, are so lucky to have you.”
Robert’s influence extends well beyond the walls of GCF. Steve Jemison, a retired chief legal officer from Procter & Gamble, community volunteer, and a board member of GCF, expresses his gratitude for Robert, saying, “I don’t know anyone in Cincinnati who has worked harder and with more compassion to improve our community. I want to extend my thanks for that.”
Robert is a dedicated community advocate who generously shares his time, talent, and resources with various organizations in the region. He served as board chair of Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses, Inc. and past president of the West End Community Council as a proud resident of the area. He is an active board member of St. Vincent de Paul and TruPartner Credit Union. Additionally, he is chair of LISC Greater Cincinnati Local Advisory Committee, where he advocates for affordable housing development across the region. Robert also led prison/jail ministry at Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
A well-known family man, Robert is married to Elodie Davis-Killins, a New Orleans native and alumna of Grambling State University. Robert and Elodie are actively involved in the lives of their three adult children.
From all of us at GCF, Robert, we appreciate your kindness and continuous drive to improve our region. Your positive impact will be felt by generations to come. Thank you!
