A year after COVID-19 changed our lives, minorities saw higher death rates and more job loss 'That ability to work from home wasnât equal' Many business and health leaders say minority populations were hardest hit by the pandemic financially, emotionally and physically. In Hamilton County, African Americans died at a disproportionately rate higher rate that other racial groups. and last updated 2021-03-12 11:07:50-05 Since 2004, John Harmon and his wife have owned a Forest Park marketing company. They've built up a steady business by printing direct mail and other projects across the country and around the Tri-State. âOne of the things we were primarily focused on is events," said Harmon, owner of Marketing Direct Incorporated. "We work with a lot of nonprofit organizations.â