Kimberly Huckleby is a native of Akron and currently resides in Cincinnati, where she is widely recognized as an educator, mentor, advocate, and transformational community leader dedicated to empowering girls, young women, and families. She is the Founder and CEO of Ladies of Leadership, a nonprofit organization established in 2007 with the mission of “Changing One Life at a Time.” Through mentorship, leadership development, prevention programming, educational support, and community engagement, the organization has positively impacted nearly 12,000 girls and families throughout the Greater Cincinnati community.

Kimberly’s passion for service is deeply rooted in her personal testimony. As a teenage mother, she faced significant challenges, including struggles with identity, self-worth, and hopelessness. However, in her early twenties, she experienced the transformative love and grace of Jesus Christ, which radically changed the trajectory of her life. That encounter ignited a lifelong commitment to helping young women overcome adversity, discover their value, and walk boldly in purpose.

For nearly two decades, Kimberly has dedicated her life to mentoring and advocating for underserved youth through school-based and community-based programming focused on leadership, academic achievement, prevention, social-emotional wellness, life skills, and empowerment. Under her leadership, Ladies of Leadership has become a respected and trusted organization throughout Cincinnati, creating safe spaces where girls are empowered to heal, grow, lead, and thrive.

Kimberly’s extraordinary commitment to education, mentorship, and community transformation has earned her numerous awards and recognitions. Her honors include the 2010–2018 Business of Excellence Award, Milken Educator Nominee, WCPO Cincinnati Teacher Award, Emerging Leaders Award, Cincinnati Herald Working Women Recognition, and recognition as one of Cincinnati’s Top 10 Businesses to Emerge. She has also received the Sister Accord Leadership Award, the Queen of the Year Award, the TJE Community Leader of the Year Award, a Jefferson Award Nomination, and Urban League Leadership recognition.

In 2020, Kimberly was honored as a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Honoree and received the YWCA Rising Star Leadership Award for her unwavering dedication to uplifting women and families. More recently, she was recognized as a finalist for the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center Upstander Award in both 2024 and 2025 and was featured in Who’s Who in Black Cincinnati for her impact and leadership throughout the region. She was also awarded the prestigious Charlotte Schmidlapp Scholarship in recognition of her commitment to education, advocacy, and community leadership.

Kimberly often credits the foundation of her strength, resilience, compassion, and unwavering faith to the love and influence of her parents, Daisy Adams and the late, yet truly great, Thomas Adams. Their sacrifices, values, and dedication to family helped shape the woman, leader, mentor, and mother she is today.

She honors the legacy of her father, Thomas Adams, whose life and memory continue to inspire excellence, perseverance, integrity, and purpose. Though he is no longer physically present, his impact lives on through the countless lives Kimberly has touched and through the work she continues to do in the community each day.

Kimberly also proudly celebrates her mother, Daisy Adams, whose love, wisdom, strength, and support have remained a constant source of encouragement throughout her life’s journey. Daisy’s example of grace, endurance, and unconditional love has played an instrumental role in Kimberly’s commitment to serving others and uplifting families.

Together, Daisy and Thomas Adams represent the roots of Kimberly’s passion for faith, family, leadership, and community service. Their legacy continues to shine brightly through the mission and impact of Ladies of Leadership and through every life Kimberly helps transform.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Kimberly is deeply devoted to her family and faith. She has been married to her husband, Shawn Huckleby, for more than 23 years, and together they are the proud parents of eight children: Tyler, Dionte, Ayreana, DeAsia, Ayriel, Shawn Jr., Thomas, and Daisy. Kimberly often describes her family, faith, and community as the foundation of her strength and purpose.

Today, Kimberly continues to inspire others through her leadership, compassion, authenticity, and unwavering belief that every young person deserves hope, opportunity, and someone who believes in them. Her life’s mission remains clear: to help others rise above their circumstances, embrace their God-given purpose, and live fully in their destiny.