As a Gemini and self-professed creative with degrees in African American studies and marketing, Sheryl Long didn’t anticipate her current career path in city administration. But she found her purpose in local government roles. She’s now the assistant city manager for Cincinnati and the president of the Ohio City/County Management Association. We met Sheryl at the North College Hill City Center, where she got her start in government work as assistant to the mayor.

Interview by Suzanne Wilder. Photography by Angie Lipscomb.

What are the words you use to describe yourself?

As Sheryl at 41, I am very comfortable with myself. I try to be as authentic as possible. It’s important for me to say what I want to do and what I don’t want to do. Self-advocacy is huge. I think I’m at a point where just being able to have purpose in the roles I’m in is significant for me. I’m also a mother and a wife, which has always guided me to make sure I walk with a certain type of demeanor – so they’re all proud of me.

When you talk about having purpose in your roles, what are the roles and what do you see as the purpose?

Prior to sitting in this seat as city administrator for North College Hill, prior to being the mayor’s assistant, I was working in real estate. That’s when I started realizing the importance of purpose. When I started with the company, it was only one or two properties. And it has grown to be one of the top development firms and property management firms in Cincinnati. I learned I was very good at sales and marketing; I was very good at being creative. These were all natural things for me before any additional schooling came along with it. All those things that, in essence, a true Gemini is.

But I would see these properties that were being fixed up – the properties that were neglected in these communities being built up. And I would get to build relationships with people. I would have to tell some tenants who were low-income or on vouchers, “You’re going to have to start paying market rent when your lease ends or you’re going to have to move.” And delivering that message to a single mom or a family that was essentially so happy thinking they were going to be part of the community, but then they couldn’t afford it... It started wearing on me.

Local government is not just about complaining. It’s about raising your hand and taking the initiative to do the things you want to see happen.

My husband had a relationship with the mayor of North College Hill. Something told me: You need to make a move. The move to mayor’s assistant was associated with a pay deduction from what I was making and we were going into a recession. But I saw a government not equipped to speak with landlords, and I thought, “There’s a way for me to build that bridge.” My niche became being a bridge between the community and the government. I spent time in that role building relationships with the schools, creating clean-up days, and volunteering with my family.

The city administrator was leaving, and through a couple transitions, we had the first female mayor. This is where purpose hits you again. The former mayor saw me and said, “Why aren't you applying for the job [of city administrator]?” I said, “Why would I apply for the job?” He said, “Are you serious? Have you seen your resume? Have you seen what you’ve done? You could do the job.”

I’ve always struggled with imposter syndrome, where everybody has seen stuff in me and I haven’t seen it in myself. That was the first big time that I raised my hand and I advocated for myself. I didn’t plan it. When I did actually get the position, I was the only Black woman in a city administrator position in the region.

I knew I needed to learn more [by working for the city of Cincinnati]. There was something missing from my exposure that I needed to get – in order to maximize who I’m supposed to be. I applied for a position as deputy city manager for Cincinnati, and I got it. Your purpose changes in every avenue of life. It becomes bigger; it becomes smaller; the shape changes.

When you were earlier in your career, did you have some sense of wanting to work in government or as a public servant? Was there something inside you that went, “That’s something I want to think about”?

I had no idea of the profession. None. My Miami University degree is in African American studies. I graduated with that degree around the time Obama was elected. I was looking at diversity work, thinking maybe the diversity and inclusion area was someplace I could fit. I knew I was good at advertising, marketing, and creativity. I had no idea about this career path until I was the mayor’s assistant.

What would you want people to know about engaging with city hall? Should people be more involved with local government?

People move where they see stuff is happening; the talent moves to those places. Local government is not just about complaining. It’s about raising your hand and taking the initiative to do the things you want to see happen. You don’t have to run for office. Stay put and be part of the change that moves the community in the direction you want. Do that by volunteering, by taking your talents and standing things up so other people can benefit from them. Open the door and say what you want to do.

Do you have aspirations for elected office?

No. NO. I think that I am most effective being that bridge between the elected and the administrative side. My passion is making sure elected officials are equipped with information – how their position can accomplish whatever they need to accomplish. My goal is to get to the [top spot as city manager], potentially moving out of Cincinnati one day for an opportunity. That’s what I see in the future.

Are you from Cincinnati? Do you have roots here?

Yes, I do. I graduated from Winton Woods, class of ’99. I grew up in Forest Park. My first time downtown was probably when I was 21. I was raised by my grandmother, Dorothy Mooney, and my grandfather, Lorenzo Mooney. They were very sheltering personalities. I was extremely sheltered. I was so involved in school, and I had a lot of extracurriculars. I was in band all the time – I was a sousaphone section leader – I was in student council, I ran track, and I played volleyball.

Tell us about an influential woman in your life. Is there anybody that you would call out as the lead influence for you? Or a few people?

All women are amazing. When I stepped into management, I wanted to take a piece of every woman – a piece of what they had to offer. There’s always something in a woman you can take from her because of her pure grit and experiences.

Your purpose changes in every avenue of life. It becomes bigger; it becomes smaller; the shape changes.

There’s Karen Horton [who I know through] P.L.K. Communities and Northgate Meadows. She was so passionate and her work ethic was amazing. She always allowed me to be flexible and creative with my ideas; I knew I wanted to take that when I became a manager. There was Angel Burton and the way she calmly, clearly looks at the bigger picture. Health Commissioner Melba Moore and her spunk and her brain. Cathy Bailey and her marketing; the way she’s able to brand herself. She’s an engineer – my goodness, her brain. Paula [Boggs Muething, current Cincinnati City Manager] – how she can take a problem and say, “I want to see this happen” – not get into the weeds, just look at the bigger picture. She’s not afraid to just be a badass woman. Sheila Hill-Christian – I took her spot. The tools she’s given me… The way she can tell me, “You need to negotiate on behalf of yourself. Speak up when you’re not making enough.”

My aunt, who’s been working for Walmart forever. My grandmother, bless her heart and her soul. She knew in my eyes when I needed to talk. There was a period in my life where I would just swallow everything, and she would look at me and know when I was at capacity and it was time for me to let it out. I could never say just one woman!

Sheryl Long: Finding Purpose in City Work