GOP national chairman to meet with Ohio's black leaders

CLEVELAND (AP) — A national Republican Party leader is meeting with black community leaders here as part of an effort to expand the party with groups that have been voting Democrat.

GOP National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said he would have a “listening session” with community leaders today at St. John AME Church. Priebus plans such sessions around the country to address perceptions that the party isn’t inclusive enough.

Priebus wants to better engage minority communities, which generally voted heavily for Democratic President Barack Obama last year. Obama won the hotly contested swing state of Ohio twice.

The GOP said a former state school board member and Stanley Jackson, a former Ohio State University quarterback, would be among black leaders taking part today.