Carol Ruffin insists that everyone in her floral design classes learns to tie a fancy bow. Ah, but bow-making can be a botheration.
"I absolutely hate it," says Brittany Shelby, laughing. "She makes it look so easy. It is not."
Bows notwithstanding, the 36-year-old kindergarten teacher from Lincoln Heights has eagerly soaked up every ounce of knowledge and skill that Carol shares in her Blossoms Floral Academy classes, which are funded by United Way's Black Empowerment Works (BEW) grant program.
"When I'm around her, I feel like there's so much more to learn," Brittany says. "She has high expectations for me, and I hope I'm meeting them."
Carol's hopes and expectations are rooted in her desire to see more Black-owned floral shops in Greater Cincinnati. Only three exist, including her business, Blossoms Florist in Reading. Nearing retirement, Carol sought BEW funding to address the underrepresentation of Black professionals in the floral design field.
Read more at City Beat
