GEORGE WASHINGTON WILLIAMS ROOM

Hearcel Craig currently serves in the 135th OGA representing the 15th Senate District of Columbus, OH. Craig has an extensive and distinguish career in the public and private sectors which includes: Columbus City Councilmember, Executive Director, Hilltop Civic Council, Inc.; Legislative Affairs Officer, Ohio Department of Youth Services (ODYS); and Corporate Manager, J.C. Penney Insurance Company.  He is a U.S. Army veteran.  

Craig is certified as a member of NASD Dispute Resolution, Board of Arbitrators. As Legislative Affairs Officer with ODYS, he was instrumental in the framing and passage of HB 812, which resulted in a Capital Improvements Bill for $83 million.  Craig’s commitment to community service spans over 30 years. His community involvement includes: Board Chair, Franklin County Prevention Institute; Board Chair, Alliance for Cooperative Justice; Board Chair, Greater Columbus African-American Chamber of Commerce; Second Vice President, and State Education Chair, NAACP; 100 Black Men; Program Chair Urban Scouting, Boy Scouts of America; Curriculum Committee, Department of Business and Industry Technology, Columbus State Community College; In-Roads, Training and Development Council; Board Trustee, Ohio Hunger Task Force; Board Trustee, Directions for Youth; Board Trustee, First Church of God Learning Academy; Board Trustee, Mt. Olivet Christian Academy; African-American Advisory Council & Equity Taskforce, Columbus Public Schools; Governor’s Commission on Socially-Disadvantaged Black Males; Former President, Berwyn East Civic Association; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. 

Craig is a widely respected public speaker throughout the State of Ohio.  Craig is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including resolutions from the City of Columbus and Ohio House of Representatives; The Golden Ruler Award, Columbus Public Schools; Who’s Who in Black Columbus; Who’s Who in the Mid-West; Nimrod B. Allen Outstanding Citizen Award, Columbus Urban League; Pinnacle Award; NAACP Outstanding Service Award; ’04 Stefanie Spielman’s Champion Award; 2011 Public Servant of the Year, Community Shares.

Craig holds a Master of Science in Administration, Central Michigan University and is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity, Ashland Theological Seminary. He is also a graduate of Ohio Executive Institute, Cleveland State University; National Service Leadership Institute; Leadership Columbus; Leadership Ohio; and is a Join Together, National Leadership Fellow, Boston University. Craig is a Minister at the First Church of God, Columbus, Ohio. He is married to Linda Craig; father of Hearcel Jr., Jhonathon, Larrinda and LaKisha; and grandfather to: Justin, Brandee, Jurnee and Denim; great- grandfather to Aiden Ford Craig.