March 2023

Informed. Inspired. Involved.

Movers &Makers

March 2023

MoversMakers.org

Publishers’ Letter 4

Arts/Culture 5

LEGO ‘Bricktionary’ at Museum Center; CSO Proof presents ‘Surrealist El Tropical’ 5

Ramesh Malhotra: From mining to meaning

| By Cynthia Kukla 6

Ceramic arts conference spurs CAM residency 8

Pianist Emanuel Ax will perform to benefit young musicians 8

The A/C List 9

The Datebook 15

Social calendar with a spotlight on the movers and makers behind Greater Cincinnati’s fundraisers, friend-raisers and community events.

FOCUS ON:

Funding Organizations 18

Bernie McKay takes reins of Haile Foundation

| By John O. Faherty

18

Notables: Local Funding Organizations 20

Community Shares broadens mission with incubator 22

Gifts/Grants 24

Nonprofit News 25

Names in the News 27

Snapshots 30

Good Samaritan gala breaks record 30

The Chatfield Edge begins its new nonprofit work 31

Faith leaders come together for conversation 31

SCPA celebrates 50th anniversary 32

W&S presents record-breaking check to Salvation Army 33

Ethics center, public library offers Dungeons and Dragons program 33

The Last Word 34

The need of hunger and the hunger to help

On the cover: Bernie McKay on Carol Ann’s Carousel, photo by Amy Spasoff for Movers & Makers, ©2023

We’vebeen publishing Movers & Makers for going on 15 years now, and it’s interesting to note how many “successful” people eventually reach a point when they ask themselves whether what they have achieved is meaningful. Could they make more of a difference by turning their talents or resources elsewhere? Such is the tale of our two profile subjects this month.

Bernie McKay built a highly successful law practice at Frost Brown Todd, serving his clients admirably. But a couple of years ago he began to wonder what he could be doing additionally or differently to make the world a better place. Then a door opened and he walked through, taking over the Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, one of the leading nonprofit funding organizations in the region. John Faherty introduces us to Bernie on Page 18.

Ramesh Malhotra had amassed a fortune in mining and other businesses, but thanks to a traumatic event three decades ago he began to re-examine his motivations and purpose for living. He passionately explored the realms of spirituality and art, and concluded he could best serve by supporting artists in pursuit of their dreams. Artist Cynthia Kukla shares Ramesh’s story on Page 6.

All nonprofits, including the one that publishes this magazine, rely on the generous investments of individuals and funding organizations. This month, we salute some of the Notables working for major nonprofit funders in the region. See Page 20.

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And speaking of giving, Polly Campbell details what she learned about the breadth of nonprofit services by delivering food to nonprofits for La Soupe. See Page 34.

If you feel like it’s time for you to do more, we certainly welcome you under the tent. Thanks for reading and for doing. We need more doing.

Thom & Elizabeth Mariner, co-publishers Doug Bolton, interim editor and M&MP board chair

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For their work on this issue, our gratitude to:

• Doug Bolton, interim editor

• Phil Fisher and Ray Cooklis, copy editors

• Amy Spasoff, cover story photography

• All the nonprofits who contributed news and photos.

In it, you will find a link to Thom Mariner’s Culture FIX column, posted every Wednesday morning at MoversMakers.org. He outlines the best local arts & culture events for the week ahead, based on more than four decades of experience working in the Cincinnati arts scene. Also in the newsletter – links to our latest posts of local nonprofit news, people on the move, gifts and grants and much more.

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Publishing schedule

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Readers are advised to confirm event dates and other important details and check for last-minute changes with the organizations or advertisers involved.

Publication of this magazine and its website (www.MoversMakers.org) does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of any information contained within, including advertisements and links. Movers & Makers Publishing is a nonprofit with fiscal sponsorship provided by Cincinnati Cares.

The publishers at the 2023 Greater Cincinnati Heart Ball

Arts/Culture

‘Bricktionary’ exhibit at Museum Center to show vast possibilities of LEGO

Opening March 18, Cincinnati Museum Center

“Bricktionary: The ultimate LEGO A-Z” will bring more than 150 custom-built LEGO models for its world premiere at the Cincinnati Museum Center. The new exhibition features the creativity of Ryan “Brickman” McNaught, star of “LEGO Masters Australia.”

“Bricktionary” is inspired by nothing more than simple letters and boundless imagination. From leaping orcas that tower overhead to Saturn V rockets that stretch from floor to ceiling, the exhibition pushes the limits of what’s possible with LEGO bricks. The exhibition offers free LEGO build areas where you can click together whatever inspires you.

 www.cincymuseum.org/bricktionary

New Orleans jazz at Freedom Center

Friday, March 3, 7:30 p.m., National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Harriet Tubman Theater

The boisterous notes of New Orleans’ opulent Mardi Gras will fill the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center during a concert March 3. A companion to the Freedom Center’s Black History Month programming, the New Orleans Mardi Gras Concert is a celebration of music and culture featuring New Orleans-based jazz trumpeter and Grammy winner Ashlin Parker and the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music’s Jazz Orchestra, directed by Scott Belck. The concert promises an evening with all the revelry and flair of Mardi Gras, followed by a reception and meet-and-greet with Parker. Concert tickets are $25, $20 for Freedom Center members.  www.freedomcenter.org

Enter at the loading dock: ‘Surrealist El Tropical’

March 29-30, 8 p.m., Music Hall

“Surrealist El Tropical” at Music Hall promises a unique concert experience for audiences and performers. The performance is part of the CSO Proof series, which features the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in collaboration with different artists in shorter, casual performances featuring theater, lighting and dance. For “Surrealist El Tropical,” patrons will enter through the loading dock, grab a drink in the scene shop, explore strange video delights and then settle into onstage seats in Springer Auditorium – all while the surrealist Rosie Herrera Dance Theater troupe roves the space as clouds, ostriches and other oddities. The orchestra, revealed after the audience moves from the scene shop to the stage, will perform works by Astor Piazzolla, Ernesto Lecuona, Alberto Ginastera and Arturo Marquez. Showgirls will be revealed, dancers will rise from the orchestra, and the unexpected will be welcomed. The evening ends with an onstage dance party to prerecorded music.

 www.cincinnatisymphony.org/tickets-and-events/ special-events

Friday, March 24, 2023 at 7:30 PM

Corbett Theater, School for Creative and Performing Arts

The Jack and Joanne Lindy Charitable Trust Judy and Ed Berne

Choreographer Rosie Herrera brings her “surrealistic” dance troupe to CSO Proof.

Ramesh Malhotra: From mining the earth to a quest for meaning

First impression – walking into the headquarters of Coal Network Inc. in Mason, Ohio – is that whoever is in charge here loves art. Many corporate headquarters have the obligatory bland abstractions, sometimes large ones meant to telegraph the importance of the company and the vision of its board and CEO. Occasionally, a company will have rich and interesting original art, but this is rare.

In this corporate headquarters, owned by entrepreneur Ramesh Malhotra, all the hallways are filled with lovely paintings, most of them done in oil – gentle interiors, some with a contemplative figure, serene landscapes, including our landmark Roebling Bridge. Who is so passionate about art to amass such a personal collection of original art? Apparently, the man in charge.

Ramesh Malhotra is president of Malhotra Group, an investment management company that provides strategic, investment, capital and business management services to a family of companies ranging from coal, oil and gas to industrial innovation and product development, real estate management and – more recently – the visual arts.

Malhotra was born to a Hindu family in Lahore, in what was then a part of India. After the partition of that country in 1947, his family moved to the Himalayas, in far northwest India, where he grew up.

Malhotra received a master’s degree in geology from Punjab University and worked as a geologist for the state government. In 1967, he left India to work toward a postgraduate diploma in mining and prospecting from Montanuniversität Leoben in Austria.

Malhotra came to the United States in 1968, where he earned his master’s in earth and space science from Stony Brook University in New York and an MBA from Michigan Tech. He pursued additional postgraduate studies at Columbia University in mineral economics.

Upon completing his extensive education, Malhotra began working for Freeman United Coal in 1974 as assistant vice-president. In 1981, he became president of NERCO, an American mining company that eventually grew to sales of $920 million before being acquired by another

firm. After six years there, he left to start his own business.

Building on his experience, Malhota started Coal Network Inc. in 1987 in Mason. Coal Network is a coal brokerage firm with five regional sales offices, plus a terminal in Catlettsburg, Ky. As he became acquainted with Greater Cincinnati, Malhotra soon saw that the region is rich in the creative arts. He and his wife, Christine, became active in the arts starting in 1991 and were instrumental in the creation of the Mason Art Association. As he made connections, Ramesh met numerous local artists whom he supported and commissioned to paint images for his collection.

“Ramesh facilitated the beginning of a dream for me at the perfect time to begin down that path,” said artist David Mueller. Malhotra’s support “enabled me, far sooner than I could have imagined, the means and a safe space to start. My leap of faith and the courage it took to give this pursuit my all was elevated by Ramesh’s vision and generosity. I was able to jump.”

His appetite for art and its connection to the spiritual led the Malhotras to collect more than 900 paintings. Needing a way to share this collection with the public, they opened the Museum of Spiritual Art in Franklin, Ohio, in a nearly 200 year-old mansion. The works are by local artists and from others across the globe. The idea behind the museum is to display art from Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism, depicting spirituality from various perspectives.

Malhotra had begun exploring spirituality more fully starting in the early 1990s, the result of a powerful epiphany that made him question his life motivations up to that time. Both he and his wife were searching for greater meaning in their lives, but each went their own path. Christine was raised in the Episcopal Church, but later converted to Judaism and is an active member of Rockdale Temple.

Ramesh visited spiritual centers in his native India and throughout the world while reading numerous works on religion and spirituality. His spiritual exploration culminated in his writing two books: “Spiritual Wisdom” – a culmination

By Cynthia Kukla

Ramesh facilitated the beginning of a dream for me at the perfect time to begin down that path. (His support) enabled me, far sooner than I could have imagined, the means and a safe space to start. My leap of faith and the courage it took to give this pursuit my all was elevated by Ramesh’s vision and generosity. I was able to jump.

– Artist David Mueller

Ramesh Malhotra

“City View” by Greg Storer, oil on canvas, 22x36

of the experiences and knowledge he has gained – and “ In Search of Absolute Truth.” (Both books are available on Amazon.) He is writing a third. Proceeds from the sale of his books go to various charitable organizations.

In 2011, Malhotra raised funds to build a school near his childhood home in the Himalayas. In 2016, the Vivekanand Vidya Niketan School opened, to teach fundamentals of higher knowledge to area children and foster their appreciation of Indian heritage and culture. The building also houses a clinic and a social gathering space. This project reflects Malhota’s personal approach to spiritual understanding, which he calls the Spirituality Circle. It is based on the Buddhist principle of the true path to sanctity or Nirvana and is related to Karma, Dharma and Dakshna. For Malhotra, the Spirituality Circle mirrors this with a focus on three aspects of life: service, support and sacrifice.

One peek into his office gives you an understanding of Malhotra’s worldview. Upon entering, you see a small bronze statue of a miner panning for gold in the wild west. Near his desk is a bronze statue of a Greek Orthodox priest, which Malhotra says reminds him of his spiritual duties during the workday. So he has the material aspect in the old gold miner as you enter his office, and spirituality represented by the priest beside him.

In 2021, Malhotra suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. He is now significantly recovered, but recalled a vision that occurred

that had a powerful impact on his thinking. He described “emanating scarves, or waves and a vision of flowers on a white carpet that I walked on toward a temple.” He referred to this as his ”second birth,” conveying that “everything is back, my vision, my memories and I am grateful to God to give me a second chance.”

This powerful experience of suffering a stroke, the vision during his paralysis and the return of his faculties – all these have contributed to his present efforts to create opportunities for artists, the arts in particular, and other charities as well.

An event in early March will kick off Malhotra’s initiative to sell off a significant portion of his art collection and use the majority of the revenue to support the careers and opportunities of area artists. This ongoing divestiture is being managed by artist/ musician K. William Semrad, who is also helping to identify nonprofit organizations with whom to partner in art-related events, making sure the organization receives a portion of the proceeds in return.

“An Evening of Art for Working Artists” will take place at the new ARTclectic Gallery, just off of I-71 at Stewart Avenue. The event will feature a silent auction including oil paintings from The Museum of Spiritual Art Fine Art Gallery by local artists such as Chuck Marshall, David Mueller, Melinda Morrison, K. William Semrad, Patrick Romelli and Larry Rudeloch. Bidding starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m. Guests may enjoy gourmet food and wine.

A percentage of the proceeds will support Movers & Makers magazine’s nonprofit visual art coverage.

 www.mosafineartgallery.com

The artworks shown are included in ‘An Evening of Art for Working Artists’ Saturday, March 4, 6-9 p.m. ARTclectic Gallery, 6249 Stewart Ave., Silverton

 513-622-9081 or mosa@artenclave.com

 www.spiritualitycircle.com/ an-evening-of-art-for-working-artists

Passion Loves Company®

“Santa Maria Della Salute” by Roger Heuck, oil on canvas, 20x24

“Girl in the Polka Dot Dress” by David Mueller, oil on canvas, 16x20

National conference to highlight ceramic arts, spurs CAM residency

Conference: March 15-18, Duke Energy Convention Center; Residency: March 17-24, Cincinnati Art Museum

Several thousand ceramic artists, designers, educators and scholars are expected to attend the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts conference here this month.

The organization advances creation, teaching and learning through clay. The 57th annual conference promises a wide range of experiences and exhibitions demonstrating the continuing evolution of humankind’s most enduring art form. Dozens of exhibitions around the area will run before, during and after the conference, nearly all of them free.

Prominent among these many exhibits, pottery artist, educator and poet Roberto Lugo will be the center of a residency and exhibition at the Cincinnati Art Museum.

“Roberto Lugo: Hi Def Archives” will be on display March 17-Sept. 24. The exhibition will present selections chosen by the artist from the museum’s collection as he examines intersections of community, place and identity in his practice and in Cincinnati’s Rookwood Pottery’s legacy.

Lugo will be in residence March 17-24, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, creating new works. He will also lecture on decorative arts and design at 3 p.m. March 12.

As a potter,” Lugo said, “I aim to carry on the ceramic tradition in a manner that honors the culture and community I come from.”

Lugo leads the ceramic department at Temple University in Philadelphia, and his art is in the collections of numerous art institutions, including the Cincinnati Art Museum.

When he is not teaching or creating, Lugo returns to neighborhoods with a potter’s wheel emblazoned with the words, “This machine kills hate.” He uses clay and his wheel to teach others how to throw pots, break down cultural and social biases, and encourage the possibility that anyone can choose and achieve their dreams.

No tickets are required. General admission to the museum is also free.

 www.nceca.net

 cincinnatiartmusem.org

Pianist Emanuel Ax will perform to benefit young musicians

Friday, March 25, 7:30 p.m., School for Creative & Performing Arts

World-renowned pianist Emanuel Ax is coming to Cincinnati to help talented young musicians afford instruments and lessons with private instructors. The concert will benefit the Ben Carlson-Berne Scholarship Fund for underserved and economically disadvantaged musicians.

Susan Carlson and Phil Berne sent Ax a video about the fund before the pandemic.

“We met the maestro backstage after a concert in 2021 and asked him if he would donate his talents to support the scholarship fund,” she said. “Immediately and without hesitation he said, ‘Yes. I’ll do whatever you would like.’ We were awed by his generosity.”

Thursday,

The fund is named after Carlson and Berne’s son Ben. At 16, Ben began exposing economically disadvantaged children to classical music, locating instruments for them and providing music lessons. He died at age 19 in a hiking accident. The fund was created in 2004.

Concert tickets begin at $25.  www.bcbscholarship.org

“Bootsy Collins and Kathryne Gardette Teapot,” 2022, Roberto Lugo, glazed stoneware, luster

Emanuel Ax

Photo by r yan C ollerd, C ourtesy of the Pew Center for a rts and heritage

Photo by a shley sMith

Robert Lugo

The A/C List

Cultural Exhibits/Tours

American Legacy Tours | 859-9518560. www.americanlegacytours.com

ƒ Historic tours in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky

American Sign Museum | Camp Washington. 513-541-6366. www.americansignmuseum.org

ƒ Permanent collection

Behringer-Crawford Museum | Devou Park, Covington. 859-491-4003. www.bcmuseum.org

ƒ Artifacts and history of Northern Kentucky

Cincinnati Fire Museum | downtown. 513-621-5553. www.cincyfiremuseum.com

ƒ Permanent collection

Cincinnati Museum Center | Queensgate. 513-287-7000. www.cincymuseum.org

ƒ Current exhibits. “A Year on the Edge” • “An Unfinished Revolution: Women and the Vote” • “Inspired by Nature: The Art and Activism of Charley Harper” • “Made in Cincinnati”

ƒ Opening March 18. “Bricktionary: The Ultimate LEGO A-Z”

Cincinnati Nature Center | Milford. www.cincynature.org

ƒ Old growth forest with trails, ponds and exhibits

Cincinnati Type & Print Museum | Lower Price Hill. www.cincinnatitypeprintmuseum.org

ƒ Permanent collection of equipment, tools and artifacts

Cincinnati Zoo | Avondale. 513-2814700. www.cincinnatizoo.org

ƒ World-renowned exhibitor of fauna and flora

Friends of Music Hall | Music Hall, Over-the-Rhine. 513-621-2787. www.friendsofmusichall.org

ƒ Indoor tours of Music Hall

ƒ March 9, 5 p.m. “Bricks & BeerCincinnati Music Hall History and Hops”

Greater Cincinnati Police Museum | Pendleton. 513-300-3664.

www.police-museum.org

ƒ Permanent collection

Harriet Beecher Stowe House | Walnut Hills. 513-751-0651. www.stowehousecincy.org

ƒ Current exhibit. “Our Neighborhood Story: A Tour of this Walnut Hills Block” • “The Cause Dearer to Me Than Any Other in the World”: Isabella Beecher Hooker and Suffrage • “Votes for Women: A Portrait of Persistence”

Heritage Village Museum | Sharonville. 513-563-9484.

www.heritagevillagecincinnati.org

ƒ Celebrating 19th-century Southwest Ohio

Holocaust & Humanity Center | Cincinnati Museum Center. 513-487-3055. www.holocaustandhumanity.org

ƒ Media, artifacts, art and interactive exhibitions regarding the Holocaust

Krohn Conservatory | Eden Park. 513-421-4086.

www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks

ƒ Thru March 12. “Bunnies and Blooms,” live bunnies hopping among tulips and daffodils

Lloyd Library and Museum | Downtown. 513-721-3707. www.lloydlibrary.org

ƒ Permanent exhibit. George Rieveschl Jr.: History of Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Milford Historical Society | Milford. 513-248-0324. www.milfordhistory.net

ƒ Permanent exhibit. Historical displays of art, artifacts and more

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center | The Banks. 513-333-7500. www.freedomcenter.org

ƒ Permanent collection exploring themes of individual freedom

National VOA Museum of Broadcasting | West Chester. 513-777-0027. www.voamuseum.org

ƒ History of Voice of America anti-propaganda program

Raptor Inc. | Milford. www.raptorinc.org

ƒ March 26, 1-4 p.m. Open house: Birds of prey sanctuary

Skirball Museum | Hebrew Union College, Clifton. 513-221-1875. https://csm.huc.edu

ƒ Permanent exhibit: “An Eternal People: The Jewish Experience”

White Water Shaker Village | Harrison. www.whitewatervillage.org

ƒ Historic recreation of settlement

Dance

Cincinnati Arts Association | Aronoff Center, downtown. 513-621-2787. www.cincinnatiarts.org

ƒ March 31-April 2. “Riverdance” 25th Anniversary (Procter & Gamble Hall)

ƒ March 31-April 1. Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, “Inside Out” (Jarson Kaplan Theater)

(513) 333-7500 | freedomcenter.org

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Robert and Greta Houston, © Robert Houston

Organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in collaboration with the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Supported by the CVS Health Foundation.

ARTS/CULTURE | The List

College-Conservatory of Music | Cohen Studio Theater, University of Cincinnati. 513-556-4183. https://ccm.uc.edu

ƒ March 2-5. Student Choreographers’ Showcase

DE LA Dance Company | Kennedy Heights. 513-871-0914. www.deladancecompany.org

ƒ Thru March 4. “DanceCincinnati”

Fitton Center | Hamilton. 513-863-8873. www.fittoncenter.org

ƒ March 17, 7:30 p.m. Otto M. Budig Academy: “Heroes and Villains”

ƒ March 18, 7:30 p.m. CB2: “Classical & Contemporary”

Fairs/Festivals/Markets

Bockfest | Bockfest Hall - Findlay Playground, Over-the-Rhine. www.bockfest.com

ƒ March 3-5. Parade, 5K and related events

Cincinnati International Wine Festival | Duke Energy Convention Center, downtown. www.winefestival.com

ƒ March 9-11. Grand tastings and more

Film

The Barn / ARTFlix | Mariemont. 513-272-3700. www.artatthebarn.org

ƒ March 9, 7 p.m. “Rothko’s Rooms”

Cincinnati World Cinema | Garfield Theatre, downtown. 859-957-3456. www.cincyworldcinema.org

ƒ March 3-5, 10-11. Oscar-Nominated Short Films

HorrorHound Weekend | Sharonville Convention Center. https://horrorhoundweekend.com

ƒ March 24-26. Festival of horror films

Mayerson JCC | Union Terminal. 513-761-7500. www.mayersonjcc.org

ƒ March 1, 7:30 p.m. Jewish & Israeli Film Festival, Closing Night: “Farewell, Mister Haffmann”

Literary/Lectures

American Sign Museum | Camp Washington. 513-541-6366. www.americansignmuseum.org

ƒ March 23, 7-8 p.m. “Cincinnati Ballpark Signs: A Look At The History of Baseball Signage Of The Cincinnati Reds”

Barnes & Noble | Virtual. 513-972-5146. stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/3408

ƒ March 14, 3:30 p.m. Discussion: Paula Lichtarowicz “The Snow Hare”

ƒ March 22, 7 p.m. Discussion: Laurell K. Hamilton “Smolder”

Cincinnati Poetry Slam | Artsville, Madisonville. www.cincinnatipoetryslam.com

ƒ March 11, 5 p.m. Season Six Kickoff

Cincinnati Zoo | Avondale. 513-281-4700. www.cincinnatizoo.org

ƒ March 22, 7 p.m. Barrows Conservation Lecture: Dr. Tom Smith

Elementz | Over-the-Rhine. www.elementz.org

ƒ March 4, 10 a.m. ECHO Youth Poetry Slam Semi-Finals (Mainstreet Cinema)

Fitton Center | Hamilton. 513-863-8873. www.fittoncenter.org

ƒ March 1, 11:30 a.m. Ohio Poet Laureate Kari Gunter-Seymour

Harriet Beecher Stowe House | Walnut Hills Branch Library. 513-751-0651. www.stowehousecincy.org

ƒ March 1, 7 p.m. Power of Voice

Discussion: “19th Century Women: Domestic or Discontented?”

Hebrew Union College | Clifton. 513-221-1875. huc.edu/campus-life/cincinnati

ƒ March 13, 7 p.m. Steven Fine: “Good Samaritans? Jewish-Samaritan Relations in the Roman World”

Joseph-Beth Booksellers | Rookwood Commons, Norwood. 513-396-8960. www.josephbeth.com

ƒ March 1, 7 p.m. Discussion: Matthew Birkhold “Chasing Icebergs: How Frozen Freshwater Can Save the Planet”

ƒ March 4, 2 p.m. Discussion: Dean Regas “1000 Facts About Space”

ƒ March 14, 7 p.m. Discussion: Rebecca

Serle “One Italian Summer” • Discussion: Hannah Whitten “The Foxglove King” (virtual)

ƒ March 18, 2 p.m. Discussion: Elizabeth Wein “Stateless”

ƒ March 27, 7 p.m. Discussion: Sarah

Penner “The London Séance Society”

ƒ March 30, 7 p.m. Discussion: Fred

Hellmann “Never Give Up: A Vietnam Veteran’s Memoir”

Mercantile Library | Downtown. 513621-0717. www.mercantilelibrary.com

ƒ March 8, 6 p.m. Hearth & Home Lecture: Ross Gay

Music

20th Century Theater | Oakley Square. www.the20thcenturytheater.com

ƒ March 4, 8 p.m. Cincinnati Transit Authority

ƒ March 25, 8 p.m. Aja

4-Way Quartet | All Saints Episcopal, Pleasant Ridge. www.4-wayquartet.com

ƒ March 12, 5 p.m. Music of Schubert, Jesse Montgomery, plus folk song arrangements

Bach Ensemble at St. Thomas | St. Thomas Episcopal, Terrace Park. 513-831-2052. www.bachensemble.org

ƒ March 19, 5 p.m. Dowd Harpsichord Dedication and Recital

Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Orchestra | St. Barnabas Church, Montgomery. 513-549-2197. www.bamso.org

ƒ March 5, 7 p.m. Wonnell Memorial Young Artists Concerto Competition Winners in concert

Brady Music Center | The Banks, downtown. www.bradymusiccenter.com

ƒ March 5, 7 p.m. Skillet, Theory of a Deadman, Saint Asonia

ƒ March 10, 7 p.m. SUBTRONICS, Virtual Riot, Kompany, Ubur, Austeria

ƒ March 16-18, 8 p.m. SOLD OUT Billy Strings

ƒ March 22, 8 p.m. Key Glock, Big Scarr

ƒ March 28, 8 p.m. J.I.D, Smino

Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption | Covington. 859-431-2060. www.cathedralconcertseries.org

ƒ March 12, 3 p.m. Jason M. Gunnell, organ

ƒ March 26, 3 p.m. Mitchell Miller: A Musical Celebration of Johann Sebastian Bach’s 338th Birthday

Chamber Music Cincinnati | Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine. 513-342-6870. www.cincychamber.org

ƒ March 13, 7:30 p.m. Pavel Haas Quartet

Christ Church Cathedral | Downtown. 513-621-1817. www.cincinnaticathedral.com

ƒ March 5, 5 p.m. Choral Evensong

ƒ March 7, 12:10 p.m. Music Live@Lunch: The Southbank Quartet

ƒ March 14, 12:10 p.m. Music Live@Lunch: Estrada do Sol - Brazilian music

ƒ March 21, 12:10 p.m. Music Live@Lunch: Lisa Biales, singer/songwriter

ƒ March 26, 3 p.m. French Flair

ƒ March 28, 12:10 p.m. Music Live@

Lunch: Cello students of Sarah Kim & Alan Rafferty

Christ Church Glendale | Glendale. 513771-1544. www.christchurchglendale.org

ƒ March 2, 12:05 p.m. Echoing Air Baroque Trio

ƒ March 19, 5 p.m. Choral Evensong

Cincinnati Arts Association | Aronoff Center, downtown. 513-621-2787. www.cincinnatiarts.org

ƒ March 25, 8 p.m. The Simon & Garfunkel Story

Cincinnati Community Orchestra | Church of the Savior United Methodist, Montgomery. 513-317-0300.

www.cincinnaticommunityorchestra.org

ƒ March 4, 7:30 p.m. “Mozart and Friends”

Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra | 513-280-8181. www.cincinnatijazz.org

ƒ March 5, 2 p.m. Jazz@First Series: Music of the Modern Jazz Quartet with Rusty Burge (First Unitarian Church, Avondale)

ƒ March 19, 4 p.m. Big Band Series: CCJO

Meets Gospel: Amazing Grace (Corinthian Baptist Church, Bond Hill)

Cincinnati Metropolitan Orchestra | Seton High School, Price Hill. 513-941-8956. www.gocmo.org

ƒ March 5, 3 p.m. Winter Classical Concert

Cincinnati Song Initiative | Liberty Exhibition Hall, Northside. www.cincinnatisonginitiative.org

ƒ March 18, 7:30 p.m. “Unforgettable: The Golden Age of the Great American Songbook”

Cincinnati Symphony & Pops | Music Hall, Over-the-Rhine. 513-381-3300. www.cincinnatisymphony.org

ƒ March 1, 10:30 a.m. (CSO) Young People’s Concert

ƒ March 4-5. (CSO) “Death & Transfiguration” Elizabeth Freimuth, horn

ƒ March 8, 10:30 a.m. (CSO) Young People’s Concert

ƒ March 10-12. (Pops) “Marvel’s Black Panther”

ƒ March 17-18. (CSO) “The Mermaid” Kevin John Edusei, conductor; Simone Lamsma, violin

ƒ March 24-26. (CSO) “Beethoven’s Fifth” Anna Rakitina, conductor; Sterling Elliott, cello

Cincinnati Symphony & Pops (cont.)

ƒ March 25, 10:30 a.m. Lollipops Concert

ƒ March 29-30. CSO Proof: “Surrealist El Tropical” Rosie Herrera Dance Theatre

Cincinnati Wind Band | Mason High School, Mason. www.cincinnatiwindband.org

ƒ March 4, noon. Music for All Concert

Cincinnati Youth Choir | Corbett Auditorium, University of Cincinnati. 513-556-4183. www.cincinnatichoir.org

ƒ March 12, 5 p.m. “Centers in Our Song: Celebrating 30 Years”

Classical Revolution | The Loon, Northside. www.classicalrevolutioncincinnati.com

ƒ March 12, 7:30 p.m. Chamber music in casual bar setting

College-Conservatory of Music | University of Cincinnati. 513-556-4183. https://ccm.uc.edu

ƒ March 7, 7:30 p.m. CCM Concert Orchestra: “150th Anniversary of Rachmaninoff” (Corbett Auditorium)

ƒ March 8, 7:30 p.m. CCM Jazz Lab Band (Corbett Auditorium)

ƒ March 8, 7:30 p.m. Musica Nova: “Scenes from a Street Theatre” (Cohen Studio Theater)

ƒ March 10, 7:30 p.m. CCM Wind Symphony: “War and Peace” (Corbett Auditorium)

ƒ March 21, 7:30 p.m. Ariel Quartet: “Brahms Piano Quartet” (Werner Recital Hall)

ƒ March 22, 7:30 p.m. CCM Wind Ensemble and CYWE Symphonic Winds: Virtuosities” (Corbett Auditorium)

ƒ March 24, 7:30 p.m. CCM Philharmonia: “Virtuosity!” (Corbett Auditorium)

ƒ March 25, 7:30 p.m. CCM Jazz Orchestra: “Essentially Ellington Festival” Gala Concert (Corbett Auditorium)

ƒ March 26, 3 p.m. CCM Chorale: “Haydn’s Creation” (Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church, Mack)

ƒ March 26, 4 p.m. CCM Wind Studies

Ensembles: “Prism” (Corbett Auditorium)

ƒ March 28, 7:30 p.m. Composition Series: “Sonic Explorations” (Cohen Studio Theater)

ƒ March 29, 7:30 p.m. UC Choirs Spring Concert (Corbett Auditorium)

Concert:nova | Woodward Theater, Over-the-Rhine. www.concertnova.com

ƒ March 20-21. Ian Dicke: “User Agreement,” Twitter terms of service agreement set to music

Hard Rock Casino | Downtown. www.hardrockcasinocincinnati.com

ƒ March 4, 8 p.m. Air Supply

ƒ March 31, 8 p.m. Marshall Tucker Band

Heritage Bank Center | Downtown. www.heritagebankcenter.com

ƒ March 2, 7:30 p.m. Carrie Underwood

ƒ March 23, 7 p.m. Blake Shelton

ƒ March 26, 7 p.m. New Edition

Kentucky Symphony Orchestra | Greaves Concert Hall, Northern Kentucky University. 859-431-6216. www.kyso.org

ƒ March 25, 7:30 p.m. “They’re Grrreat!”

“great music” by Schubert, Rossini and Mozart

Knox Church | Hyde Park. 513-321-2573. www.knox.org/music

ƒ March 11, 7:30 p.m. “Songs of Our Land” Janani Sridhar, voice; Yeon-Kyung Kim, piano

Linton Chamber Music | 513-381-6868. www.lintonmusic.org

ƒ March 19, 4 p.m. “Queen City Connections” Sandra Rivers, piano; Stefani Matsuo, violin; Ilya Finkelshteyn, cello (First Unitarian Church)

ƒ March 20, 7:30 p.m. Encore of previous (Congregation Beth Adam)

Ludlow Garage | Clifton. www.ludlowgaragecincinnati.com

ƒ March 1, 8:30 p.m. Wishbone Ash

ƒ March 2, 7:30 p.m. Dead Letter OfficeR.E.M. Tribute

ƒ March 2, 8:30 p.m. Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country

ƒ March 3, 8:30 p.m. Crash Test Dummies

ƒ March 10, 7:30 p.m. Michael Martin Murphey

ƒ March 15, 7:30 p.m. Altan

ƒ March 17, 8:30 p.m. Vanessa Carlton

ƒ March 18, 8:30 p.m. NRBQ

ƒ March 24, 8:30 p.m. Stanley Clarke

ƒ March 29, 7:30 p.m. The Furious Bongos

ƒ March 30, 8:30 p.m. Jordy Searcy

ƒ March 31, 8:30 p.m. Emmaline

Madison Theater | Covington. 859-491-2444. www.madisontheater.com

ƒ March 2, 7 p.m. Awake at Last

ƒ March 4, 9 p.m. Plazmatic

ƒ March 7, 8 p.m. Jonny Craig

ƒ March 8, 8 p.m. Dogs In A Pile

ƒ March 10, 8 p.m. Daddy’s Beemer

ƒ March 11, 8 p.m. L. Shankar • Walk On Homeboys (Pantera Tribute)

World premiere March 18

ƒ March 17, 8 p.m. Cro-Mags

ƒ March 23, 8 p.m. Sweet Pill

ƒ March 25, 8 p.m. SOLD OUT They Might Be Giants

ƒ March 29, 8 p.m. The Queers

ƒ March 30, 8 p.m. Spafford

Matinee Musicale | Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine. www.matineemusicalecincinnati.org

ƒ March 26, 7 p.m. Valerie Eickhoff, mezzo-soprano

May Festival | Christ Church Cathedral, downtown. 513-381-3300. www.mayfestival.com

ƒ March 19, 2-7 p.m. “25 for 25 Community Showcase,” 25 area choirs in 25 new works

MegaCorp Pavilion at Ovation | Newport. www.promowestlive.com

ƒ March 4, 7 p.m. Highly Suspect, Dead Poet Society

ƒ March 24, 7 p.m. McGuffey Lane

College-Conservatory of Music (cont.)

ƒ March 9, 7:30 p.m. Musical Theatre Senior Showcase (Corbett Theater)

ƒ March 10-11, 7 p.m. Encore of previous

Drama Workshop | Cheviot. 513-5988303. www.hedramaworkshop.org

ƒ March 3-19. “Ring of Fire”

Ensemble Theatre | Over-the-Rhine. 513-421-3555. https://ensemblecincinnati.org

ƒ Thru March 19. Simon Stephens: “Morning Sun”

Fairfield Community Arts Center | Fairfield. 513-867-5348. www.fairfield-city.org

ƒ March 25, 2 p.m. Kenny Ahern: “To Laugh is to Live!”

Falcon Theatre | Newport. 513-4796783. www.falcontheater.net

ƒ March 17-April 1. “Every Brilliant Thing”

Heritage Bank Center | Downtown. www.heritagebankcenter.com

ƒ March 9-12. Disney On Ice: “Frozen” & “Encanto”

Inspiring Arts | Miami University, Hamilton. www.inspiringartsproductions.com

ƒ March 24-26. Gilbert & Sullivan: “The Pirates of Penzance”

Know Theatre | Over-the-Rhine. 513-300-5669. www.knowtheatre.com

ƒ Thru April 10. “Serials! 13: Thunder Hedron”

ƒ March 10-26. “All-One!

The Dr. Bronner’s Play”

Loveland Stage Company | Loveland. 513-443-4572. www.lovelandstagecompany.org

ƒ March 3-19. “Company”

Ludlow Garage | Clifton. www.ludlowgaragecincinnati.com

ƒ March 25, 8:30 p.m. Zach Rushing “Censor This!”

Mariemont Players | Mariemont. 513684-1236. www.mariemontplayers.com

ƒ March 9-26. “August: Osage County”

Mount St. Joseph University | Delhi. 513-244-4387. www.msj.edu/theatre

ƒ March 24-April 2. “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”

Northern Kentucky University | Corbett Theatre. 859-572-5464. https://theatre.nku.edu

ƒ March 24-April 2. “The Princess Plays”

Playhouse in the Park | Mt. Adams. 513-421-3888. www.cincyplay.com

ƒ March 11-April 14. “A Chorus Line” (new Rouse Theatre)

ƒ March 25-April 30. “The Chinese Lady” (Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre)

Queen City Productions | Arts Center at Dunham, Price Hill. queencityproductions.weebly.com

ƒ March 24-April 2. “American Idiot”

School for Creative & Performing Arts | Over-the-Rhine. 513-363-8100. https://scpa.cps-k12.org

ƒ March 10-11. “Reckless”

Sunset Players | Arts Center at Dunham, Price Hill. 513-588-4988. www.sunsetplayers.org

ƒ Thru March 11. “Be My Baby”

Taft Theatre | Downtown. https://tafttheatre.org

ƒ March 4, 7 p.m. Fortune Feimster, comedian

ƒ March 11, 7 p.m. Leanne Morgan, comedian

ƒ March 17, 8 p.m. Paula Poundstone, comedian

ƒ March 23, 8 p.m. Jo Koy, comedian

Village Players | Ft. Thomas. 859-392-0500. www.villageplayers.org

ƒ Thru March 4. “Airness”

Xavier University | Gallagher Center Theater. 513-745-3939.

www.xavier.edu/theatre-program

ƒ March 24-26. “9 to 5”

Visual Art

ARTclectic Gallery | Silverton. 513-822-5200. www.artclecticgallery.com

ƒ March 3, 5-8 p.m. Opening reception for featured artists

ƒ March 4, 6-9 p.m. Evening of Art and Music: silent auction of works from MOSA Fine Art Gallery

Arts Alliance | Building B, Sinclair College, Mason. 513-309-8585. www.the-arts-alliance.org

ƒ Thru March 31. Greg Storer and students: “Celebrate Diversity”

Baker Hunt Art & Cultural Center | Covington. 859-431-0020. www.bakerhunt.org

ƒ March 7-Aug. 19. Community Art Show

The Barn | Mariemont. 513-272-3700. www.artatthebarn.org

ƒ March 5-26. Cincinnati Brush & Palette

Painters “Fresh Paint” Reception: March 17, 6-8 p.m.

Cincinnati Art Galleries | Downtown. 513-381-2128. www.cincyart.com

ƒ Thru March 17. “Gallery Selections”

Cincinnati Art Museum | Eden Park. 513-721-2787. www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org

ƒ Thru April 9. “Three Generations of Japanese Printmakers”

ƒ Thru May 7. “Georgia O’Keeffe, Photographer”

ƒ March 17-June 4. “Roberto Lugo: Hi-Def Archives”

ƒ March 24, 5-9 p.m. Art After Dark

Contemporary Arts Center | Downtown. 513-345-8400. www.contemporaryartscenter.org

ƒ Thru March 3. Julia Orquera Bianco: “Under the Canopy”

ƒ Thru April 17. FotoFocus - Cameron

Granger: “The Cartographer Tries to Map a Way to Heaven”

ƒ Thru Sept. 25. FotoFocus - Baseera

Khan: “Weight of History”

DAAP Galleries | University of Cincinnati. 513-556-2839. https://daap.uc.edu

ƒ Thru March 18. NCECA National Juried Student Exhibition (Reed Gallery) • NCECA Multicultural Fellowship Exhibition (Meyers Gallery)

Eva G. Farris Gallery | Thomas More University, Crestview Hills. 859-344-3300. www.thomasmore.edu

ƒ Thru March 9. John Lanzador: “Ibon is Bird”

Fitton Center | Hamilton. 513-863-8873. www.fittoncenter.org

ƒ Thru March 31. “Field Study”

FotoFocus | Cincinnati Art Museum. www.fotofocus.org

ƒ March 2, 7-8:30 p.m. Annual Benesse Lecture & Annual Spring Lecture

Conversation with the Artist: Sky Hopinka

Indian Hill Gallery | Indian Hill. 513-984-6024. www.indianhillgallery. com

ƒ March 3-April 1. Ceramic Sculptures by Lena Wolek “Bogatyr Tea Pot: Who Stole Our Heroes?”

Kennedy Heights Arts Center | Kennedy Heights. 513-631-4278. www.kennedyarts.org

ƒ Thru April 1. “Ebb and Flow,” juried exhibition of ceramic artworks

Krohn Conservatory | Eden Park. 513-421-4086. www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks

ƒ Thru June 18. R. Cartwright, L. Merida-Paytes, R. Pulley: “Ceramics in a Garden,” outdoor sculpture

ƒ Lloyd Library and Museum | downtown. 513-721-3707. www.lloydlibrary.org

ƒ Thru March 24. “Sylvan Roots”

Manifest Gallery | East Walnut Hills. 513-861-3638. www.manifestgallery.org

ƒ March 10-April 17. “OH, KY, & IN” open regional • “Cast/Molded” works made using casts, molds, forms or stamps. Reception: March 10, 6-9 p.m.

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center | The Banks, downtown. 513-333-7500.

https://freedomcenter.org

ƒ Thru March 6. FotoFocus - ‘Free as they want to be’: Artists Committed to Memory

ƒ Opening March 24. “Solidarity Now! 1968 Poor People’s Campaign”

Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights. 859-572-5148. www.nku.edu/gallery

ƒ March 6-23. NCECA Venue Originated Exhibition “Here and There: Navigating the Cultural In-Between” Reception: March 16, 5-7 p.m.

PAR-Projects | Northside. https://parprojects.com

ƒ Thru March 31. FotoFocus - Susan Ferrari Rowley: “Alterations in Dystopia” • FotoFocus - Billy Colbert: “Lessons are Learned”

Pendleton Art Center | Pendleton. 513421-4339. https://pendletonartcenter.com

ƒ March 31, 5-9 p.m., open studios

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum | Hamilton. 513-868-1234. www.pyramidhill.org

ƒ Thru Aug. 6. “Coral Beliefs”

Skirball Museum | Hebrew Union College, Clifton. https://csm.huc.edu

ƒ March 23-July 2. Frank Stella: “Illustrations After” • El Lissitzky: “Had Gadya”

Studio Kroner | Mid-City, downtown. www.studiokroner.com

ƒ Thru March 11. Sunia Gibbs: “Vacated Spaces”

Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery | Mount St. Joseph University, Delhi. www.msj.edu

ƒ Thru March 31. “Artist Proof: A Showcase of Prints by Tiger Lily Press,” more than 100 hand-pulled, original prints. Reception: March 5, 2-4 p.m.

Artist Walk-Thru: March 25, 2-4 p.m.

Taft Museum of Art | Lytle Park, downtown. 513-241-0343. www.taftmuseum.org

ƒ Thru May 14. “Memories & Inspiration: The Kerry and C. Betty Davis Collection of African American Art”

ƒ Thru June 4. “Universal Magnetic: New Works by Terence Hammonds”

Visionaries & Voices | Northside. 513861-4333. www.visionariesandvoices.com

ƒ Thru March 3. “Casting Shadows”

ƒ March 16-April 7. “Clay Nowadays”

Reception: March 16, 5-9:30 p.m.

Wash Park Art | Over-the-Rhine. 513-291-3626. www.washparkart.com

ƒ March 13-30. “Unidos” features pioneering Spanish, Latino, Hispanic, Chicano and Latinx contemporary ceramic artists. Reception: March 17, 5-7 p.m.

Wave Pool Gallery and The Welcome Project | Camp Washington. www.wavepoolgallery.org

ƒ Thru March 18. “This Is Not a Coup” (The Welcome Project)

Weston Art Gallery | Aronoff Center, downtown. 513-977-4165. www.cincinnatiarts.org/weston-art-gallery

ƒ Thru March 5. Joshua Penrose: “Shadow Works” • Emil Robinson: “Evidence” • Katherine Colborn: “Sheltering in Smoke”

ƒ March 14-May 7. 2023 NCECA Annual: “I Contain Multitudes” 

The Datebook With a Spotlight on the Movers and Makers behind Greater Cincinnati’s Fundraisers, Friend-Raisers and Community Events

Vu Le, author of the popular NonprofitAF.com blog, will be keynote speaker for the March 1 half-day Securing the Future Conference, hosted by Leadership Council at the Cintas Center.

Graciously Seasoned Women’s Luncheon will be March 11 at the Reception Events Center in Fairfield, supporting the veteran-operated workforce development consulting nonprofit founded by Venita Thomas

MARCH 1, WEDNESDAY

Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, Trivia Night for Brighter Futures | 5-10 p.m. Rhinegeist Brewery. DETAILS: Happy hour and games. Post-Game Party following main event. Games, raffles and desserts. Entry is free for all Trivia Night participants. Tickets: $60; teams of four, $200; Post-Game Partyonly tickets, $25. Food and drink tickets included. Post-Game Party tickets come with a drink ticket and three raffle tickets.  cycyouth.ejoinme.org/Trivia2023

Leadership Council for Nonprofits, Securing the Future Conference | 7:30 a.m. Cintas Center. DETAILS: Half-day nonprofit conference. Keynote speaker Vu Le, blogger at Nonprofit AF and founder of Nonprofit Happy Hour. Additional breakout sessions and presentation of Leadership Legacy Awards. Tickets: $75 and $100.

 www.leadershipcouncil.us/programs/ securing-the-future-conference

MARCH 4, SATURDAY

MOSA Fine Art Gallery, An Evening of Art | 6-9 p.m. ARTclectic Gallery, 6249 Stewart Ave., Silverton (just off I-71). DETAILS: Silent auction of paintings from collection of entrepreneur Ramesh Malhotra. Sales will benefit area visual artists. A portion of the proceeds go to Movers & Makers to support future visual art coverage. Evening includes

food, wine and music.

 www.spiritualitycircle.com/ an-evening-of-art-for-working-artists

Ohio Valley Voices, Mardi Gras Ball | 6-11 p.m. Hilton Netherland Plaza. DETAILS: Reception, silent and live auction, games, raffles, program, dinner, and music provided by Naked Karate Girls. Admission: $150, VIP: $250. Special access for sponsors and VIPs with award-winning mixologist Molly Wellmann.

 ohiovalleyvoices.givecloud.co/events/ gala2023

Sonder Brewing, Bockfest 5K | 10 a.m. Bockfest Hall, 1811 Vine St. Overthe-Rhine. DETAILS: 5K course at new Bockfest location. After party. Virtual options available.

 www.bockfest5k.com

MARCH 5, SUNDAY

de Cavel Family SIDS Foundation, Friends & Family SIDS Brunch | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State. DETAILS: Treats and sweets by some of the best chefs, restaurateurs in the Queen City. Funds outreach programs and research to eradicate SIDS. Music, silent auction and kid-friendly activities. Tickets start at $25.

 www.eatplaygive.net/the-brunch

MARCH 10, FRIDAY

Cincinnati International Wine Festival, Grand Tastings | 7 p.m. Duke Energy Convention Center.

DETAILS: Fine wines, small bites, variety of international and domestic wines, and a chance to bid on silent auction items. Tickets start at $95.

 www.winefestival.com

MARCH 11, SATURDAY

Cincinnati International Wine Festival, Charity Auction & Luncheon | 9:30 a.m. Duke Energy Convention Center. DETAILS: Featuring limited-release and rare wines from the cellars of prominent Cincinnatians, plus the opportunity to win chef-prepared dining opportunities, glamorous trips, wine cellar tours and more. Tickets $150.  www.winefestival.com

Cincinnati International Wine Festival, Grand Tastings | 2:30 & 6:30 p.m. Duke Energy Convention Center. DETAILS: Fine wines, small bites, a variety of international and domestic wines, and a chance to bid on silent auction items. Tickets start at $75.

 www.winefestival.com

Graciously Seasoned Women’s Network, Luncheon | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 5975 Boymel Dr., Fairfield.

DETAILS: Gift bags, mentoring,

AtriCure’s Angie Wirick is chairing the American Heart Association’s Heart Mini-Marathon and other walking/running events on March 19

networking. Keynote: Dr. Vanessa McQueen of Sanctuary Covenant Christian Fellowship, Hamilton.

Tickets: $40.

 www.eventbrite.com

Little Brothers Friends of The Elderly, 26th Anniversary Gala | The Syndicate. 18 E. 5th St., Newport.

DETAILS: Open bar, raffle baskets, silent & live auctions, casino games, special performance by “Elvis.”

 www.littlebrotherscincinnati.org

MARCH 14, TUESDAY

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, Women of Distinction “Girls Change the World” | Queen City Club.

DETAILS: Emcee: Sheila Gray, morning news anchor on WKRC-TV.

 www.gswo.org/en/donate/ women-of-distinction.html

MARCH 19, SUNDAY

American Heart Association, Heart Mini-Marathon & Walk | 7:30 a.m. Downtown Cincinnati, corner of 5th and Lawrence. DETAILS: St. Elizabeth Healthcare Heart Half Marathon and KoncertIT 15K Heart Mini, followed by the altafiber 5K Heart Race, UC Health’s 1K Steps for Stroke, FIS’ 1.5K Kids Race and Mercy Health’s 5K Heart Walk.

 www2.heart.org

People Working

Cooperatively hosts its 25th annual black-tie fundraising gala, the ToolBelt Ball, on March 25 at the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati.

MARCH 23, THURSDAY

Cancer Family Care, Purses with a Purpose | 5:30-7:30 p.m. Miller Gallery, Hyde Park Square.

DETAILS: Dinner, refreshments, women’s health presentation. Dress code: casual or business casual. Tickets $100.

 one.bidpal.net/cfcpurses/welcome

Woman’s City Club, Annual National Speaker Forum and Fundraiser | 7 p.m. Memorial Hall.

DETAILS: Marcia Coyle, award-winning chief Washington correspondent for the National Law Journal. In her timely presentation, “A Look Inside the Supreme Court,” Coyle will focus on its recent and anticipated decisions. Tickets $50.

 www.womanscityclub.org/ programs/national-speaker-forum

MARCH 24, FRIDAY

Ben Carlson-Berne Scholarship Fund, Emanuel Ax Benefit Concert | 7:30-10 p.m. Corbett Theater, School for Creative and Performing Arts, Over-the-Rhine. DETAILS: Exclusive solo performance by world-renowned pianist Emanuel Ax to benefit Ben CarlsonBerne Scholarship Fund, whose mission is to expose underserved and economically disadvantaged youth to classical music by providing private lessons and instruments. Tickets: $50-$175

 www.bcbscholarship.org

MARCH 25, SATURDAY

People Working Cooperatively, ToolBelt Ball 25th Annual Gala | 5:30 p.m. Hard Rock Casino. DETAILS: Black-tie affair, cocktail reception, online and in-person auctions, entertainment, dinner, raffles and Booze Pull.

Proceeds benefit PWC’s Modifications for Mobility program. Tickets: $175.  www.pwchomerepairs.org/ toolbeltball

St. Rita School for the Deaf, Annual Dream Makers Scholarship Benefit | 6-10 p.m. 1720 GlendaleMilford Rd., Evendale. DETAILS: Dress: sporty casual. Cocktails, auction, dinner, program honoring Class of 2000 alumnus Kevin Hall and his parents, Jackie & Percy Hall. Tickets start at $90.

 www.srsdeaf.org/ScholarshipBenefit

Their Voice of Greater Cincinnati/ True Community, Keeping it Safe with (CP)R | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. May We Help, 7501 Wooster Pike. DETAILS: Earn American Red Cross CPR Certification. Lunch served.

 annatheirvoice9@gmail.com

Students and staff of St. Rita School for the Deaf will celebrate successes and honor alumnus Kevin Hall and his parents at the Dream Makers Scholarship Benefit on March 25

Tonia Murphy, Carrie Didden, Robin Engelbeck, David Denny, Kristin Hahnel, Julie Vorholt, Matt Miele, Jody Aschendorf, Ann Blocksom, Mike Milton, Tilli Milton, Jeanne Houck, Melinda Spong, Bridgett Huber, Elizabeth Thompson, Anne McKinney, Jock Pitts and Carli Carpenter.

MARCH 31, FRIDAY

Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub, Cincinnati Cyclones Fundraiser | 7:30 p.m. Heritage Bank Center.

DETAILS: A section at the Cyclones game is reserved for CRRH supporters. A portion of ticket sales go to the Hub.  www.cyclonesgroups.com/CRRH

APRIL 1, SATURDAY

Junior League of Cincinnati, Spring Fashion Show | 6:45-10 p.m. National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

DETAILS: Appetizers, open bar, vendor pop-ups, silent auction and fashion show showcasing women’s, men’s and children’s boutiques. Cocktail attire recommended. Tickets start at $125.  www.jlcincinnati.org/fashionshow/

APRIL 2, SUNDAY

Caracole, AIDS Walk + Run | 9 a.m. Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum. DETAILS: Benefits the agency in its mission to positively change lives in the fight against HIV/AIDS in our region. Participants can walk or run the 5K route (3.1 miles) while taking in the beauty of Spring Grove. The 10K option returns as a double loop of the 5K course.  secure.qgiv.com/event/ aids-walk-2023

Musicians for Health, Champagne

Jazz Brunch | noon-3 p.m. Kenwood Country Club. DETAILS: Food, drinks, fun, entertainment and silent auction.

 www.musiciansforhealth.org

APRIL 22, SATURDAY

DePaul Cristo Rey High School, Rey of Light Scholarship Benefit | DPCR Student Center. DETAILS: Cocktail hour, dinner, silent and live auctions. Chairs are Michele and Mike Schuster.

Mike Schuster and Michele Schuster are chairing the Rey of Light Scholarship Benefit on April 22, DePaul Cristo Rey High School’s largest fundraiser for financial aid for students.

 www.depaulcristorey.org/giving/ our-events/rey-of-light

Forever Kings, “Building Strong Men” Golf Outing | Noon. Avon Fields Golf Course. DETAILS: Afternoon of golf, cocktail reception and dinner. Proceeds support 2023 Kings Retreat. Tickets: $75/individual; $300/foursome.

 www.foreverkingsinc.org

UpSpring, Benefit Bash | 6 p.m. Bally Sports Club, Great American Ballpark. DETAILS: Cocktail hour and silent auction. Ticket information coming soon.

 www.upspring.org

APRIL 23, SUNDAY

American Lung Association, Fight for Air | 8 a.m. Great American Ballpark. DETAILS: Stair climbing event designed for every type of climber, from beginners to competitive climbers. Race to the top or take it at your own speed. For best climb experience, form team of friends and family, coworkers or neighbors. Registration: $40.

 www.fightforairclimb.org/Cincinnati

The right calling at the right moment

By John O. Faherty

He was born his parents’ ninth child and ninth son. Despite an obvious propensity for boys, Margaret Jane and Patrick McKay did not have a boy’s name chosen when he was born. So they left the hospital and went home to the following headline in the Ledger Independent, the local Maysville paper: “Unnamed boy makes baseball team for the McKays.”

Bernard McKay is now 53, named, and in charge of The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Greater Cincinnati, emphasizing arts and culture, education, human services and community development.

Since its founding 15 years ago, the Haile Foundation had been run by Tim Maloney, president and CEO, and Leslie Maloney, senior vice president and education program manager. The Maloneys ran the foundation with flair and determination. Their retirement last year left some big shoes to fill.

Bernie – everyone calls him Bernie – McKay is up for the task as the new president and CEO. But first, he wanted to hit the pause button.

“This is the first leadership transition in the 15 years that Haile has existed,” McKay said. “We have an obligation to reflect, reset and reframe. What do we do great? What do we

wish we did better? What projects do we regret? What projects do we wish we picked up, but had not?”

This approach, this willingness to slow down and to pivot if necessary, is what made McKay so appealing as a candidate.

“Bernie, besides his obvious intellect and unquestionable ethics, is an idea man, a collaborator, he’s thoughtful and thorough,” said Vickie Buyniski Gluckman, one of five members of the foundation’s advisory board. “He works hard to obtain a deep understanding of our community’s problems as well as the possible solutions. And like myself, Bernie loves our city and each unique community.”

And it almost did not happen.

McKay was very happy at his law firm, Frost Brown Todd. He was an equity partner, giving him job security. But it was more than that. McKay enjoyed his work focusing on trusts, estates and charitable giving, and he also loved the firm where he had spent his entire 28-year legal career.

“I spent a great deal of my waking hours at the firm working alongside my colleagues and we experienced life together. I went to their children’s weddings; they attended my parents’ funerals. We cared about one another,” McKay said.

And the work itself was rewarding. Clients in estate work would have to trust McKay with sensitive information about their finances and their personal relationships. “And it was my job to distill all of that information into documents that spoke for the client when the client was unable to do so. Not only was it a huge honor, the process typically resulted in a unique and meaningful attorney-client relationship.”

Frost Brown Todd was also a place that accepted him exactly as he was. “I loved that firm. They allowed me, a gay guy from Maysville, Ky., to have a meaningful career.” Bernie and his husband, Zack Weber, live in the East Row Historic District in Newport.

So he was in no rush to leave, but the timing was interesting when the job opened at the foundation. In 2022, McKay had just started asking himself how he could find meaningful work in addition to his law practice. He gave himself one year to decide what he wanted to do, and how he wanted to do it. He thought maybe he would take a sabbatical. Or maybe work one day a week at a nonprofit he respected. Or maybe serve on additional boards. Or perhaps quit law altogether, and work someplace that made a difference. “Everything was on the table,” McKay said. The only thing he knew for certain was that he would take the full year so

‘Bernie the Attorney’ takes reins of the Haile Foundation

Bernie McKay, photo by Amy Spasoff for Movers & Makers, ©2023

– Bernie McKay on his new post with the Haile Foundation

jumping off a cliff and grabbing onto a trapeze,” but McKay was not going to let fear stop him. “I figured that, even if I failed, people would be able to say: ‘Well, he tried.’ ”

He also really wanted the job. “I can be part of making this a better place to live and to work.”

So the man who was so invested in his work he went by the nickname “Bernie the Attorney” walked away from the only job he ever held as an adult. He went from equity partner to at-will employee. One of his brothers asked if he was having a nervous breakdown. But Bernie’s husband was fully supportive. That helped a lot.

So did the fact that Tim Maloney was supportive from the very beginning. “We had long conversations,” Bernie said. “The first time we really talked, Tim said: ‘Bernie, we are here to help, but this is your project now.’ ”

he could be thoughtful and methodical.

Two days later he got a call about the head spot opening at the foundation. It was too soon, too much and ultimately too tempting. His initial instinct was to not even pursue it. Then he asked for more information. Then he threw his hat in the ring. Then he got the offer. Still, it was a lot.

“I was scared. I had security. It felt like

The foundation exists because of the generous spirit of the Hailes. They made a fortune in banking and never had children. So they formed this foundation to improve our community, giving money in 10 area counties – three in Northern Kentucky, five in Southwest Ohio and two in Indiana.

The foundation was started with approximately $180 million, and has given away 2,600 grants worth $185,876,117 in its first 15 years. Smart investment keeps the money growing,

with McKay saying the value is now just south of $300 million. Still, the giving might slow down in the immediate future. The foundation gave away $14 million in 2022 and is likely to grant less this year.

As an attorney, McKay measured his time in six-minute increments, so clients could pay exactly what they owed the firm. Yes, six minutes. Now he is thinking far longer term. “We are taking this opportunity to carefully scrutinize what we are doing and why we are doing it. To be clear on who we are and to know exactly who we want to be.”

McKay first saw what the foundation could do when he was serving on the board of the Women’s Crisis Center in Hebron, Ky. This was a passion project for him because his mother was always open about the fact that she grew up in a home with domestic violence.

Haile gave the Women’s Crisis Center –which is now The Ion Center for Violence Prevention – $1 million. “I was impressed from the get-go with Tim and Haile. They made a real difference.”

This is probably why McKay applied for the job, and why he took it. He knows he can make a difference, and sees the work as almost a calling.

“It is a sacred position,” McKay said. “I do not take it lightly.” 

We are taking this opportunity to carefully scrutinize what we are doing and why we are doing it. To be clear on who we are and to know exactly who we want to be.

Notables: Funding Organizations

Heidi Jark at 5/3’s Foundation Office works widely for vibrant communities

Heidi Jark, senior VP and managing director of the Foundation Office at Fifth Third Bank, is committed to creating strong, vibrant communities in Greater Cincinnati and across the country.

The Foundation Office at Fifth Third serves as trustee, co-trustee or agent for more than 300 private and corporate foundations. Jark serves as the board chair for Cooperative for Education. In 20 years at Fifth Third, she has served as president of the Greater Cincinnati Planned Giving Council, the American Cancer Society Board of Directors for Hamilton County, the WAVE Foundation, Philanthropy Ohio, and the board of the Greater Cincinnati YWCA.

Jark grew up on a farm near Stratford, S.D., and lives in downtown Cincinnati with her husband, Steve Kenat, and daughter Catarina. 

Ray Gargano helps ArtsWave support art organizations

Ray Gargano joined ArtsWave in 2021 and quickly jumped in to help grow its Black and Brown artist program, which has awarded nearly 70 projects with almost $750,000. As vice president of community investments, Gargano oversees grantmaking for $10 million in annual donations from the community campaign – the primary way Cincinnati funds its arts.

Since his arrival, ArtsWave has distributed $20 million to pandemic-affected arts organizations and artists. With a strong academic background in education, instructional technology and communications, Gargano has been key in driving the “More Arts, More Kids” Chairmen’s Challenge, which will bring 50,000 field trips so all CPS elementary school children can experience the arts.

Gargano came here from Sacramento, where he led grantmaking to advance cultural diversity, equity, inclusion and access.

In his free time, Gargano can be found biking downtown and enjoying various cultural events. 

Susan Vaughn’s joyful presence works to help people of Hamilton

Susan Vaughn is a Hamilton City Council member and much more. She is the adviser for the Youth Philanthropy Committee, which teaches young people to be engaged in their community and aware of needs around them. She volunteers with the Garden Club. She serves on the Hamilton Community Foundation Board. She is involved in the 17 Strong initiative, which encourages growth and engagement in the 17 Hamilton neighborhoods, and she assists with the StreetSpark initiative for public art.

Vaughn is also the kind of person who picks up random trash on the street, opens doors for people and spreads kindness to everyone around her. She does all of this, and probably much more, with a smile and a joyful heart.

Most people do not know that Vaughn and her son participated in “The Amazing Race” in South America as the first mother and son duo to compete on the show. 

Craig Young volunteers to tackle problems in area’s volunteer system

Craig S. Young has been supporting local organizations since his family founded the Craig Young Family Foundation in 1995. Over the past five years, Young has volunteered his time and directed his donations to fixing what he sees as the ineffective, inefficient and inequitable volunteer ecosystem in Cincinnati and beyond.

Young was a successful software entrepreneur in the 1980s and 1990s. Prior to selling his largest company, he and his family realized they had more than enough for their own financial security and so they established the family foundation. When the company was sold in 1998, a large portion of the proceeds further funded the foundation.

For the first 20 years, donations supported efforts throughout Cincinnati and beyond with priority given to organizations that leveraged the power of volunteers, such as the American Red Cross, ProKids, Boy Scouts and the Cincinnati Zoo. 

CraigYoung

SusanVaughn

Movers & Makers asked organizations within the nonprofit funding sector to introduce their “notables” to our readers, part of a new regular feature highlighting people making a difference in various sectors of Greater Cincinnati’s nonprofit community.

HeidiJark

RayGargano

Meredith Delaney of Scripps Howard Fund keeps the books for children flowing

As director of philanthropic strategies for the Scripps Howard Fund, Meredith Delaney oversees programs including the “If You Give a Child a Book …” campaign and other campaigns that support causes of importance to Scripps’ local stations.

Since Delaney joined the fund in 2017, the annual book campaign has seen a 500% growth – raising more than $1 million in 2022 and providing 200,000 books to nonprofits and Title I schools across the country, including seven in Greater Cincinnati. The total number of distributed books will surpass 1 million in 2023.

When she’s not working, Delaney enjoys cheering on her alma mater, the West Virginia Mountaineers, and taking in a Reds game. The Delaney kitchen faucet was named in her honor by her best friend, who headed Moen’s kitchen faucet division. 

Moira Weir listens to families to help guide United Way’s work

Moira Weir joined United Way of Greater Cincinnati in 2020 after 25 years at Hamilton County Job & Family Services. She has led efforts to bring new voices and new solutions to decades-old challenges so more families thrive in the nine-county area in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.

Drawing on her experience as a front-line child welfare worker, she prioritizes listening to families and using familyand data-driven solutions to change entrenched systems so more people achieve economic well-being.

Under her leadership, United Way continues to meet the needs of families today while changing systems so fewer families need help in the future.

Weir enjoys playing tennis and walking her golden retriever, Bella.

Rasheda Cromwell uses GCF resources to address region’s biggest needs

Rasheda Cromwell leads the Greater Cincinnati Foundation’s community change strategy using all of the foundation’s assets and resources – grants, investments, convening power, staff expertise, and connections – to maximize impact on the Greater Cincinnati region. As vice president, community strategies, she oversees grantmaking, administering millions, and works with dozens of nonprofits, businesses and other stakeholders to address our community’s most pressing issues.

When not working, Cromwell is a sports fanatic. She loves watching sports, playing sports and attending games. Her favorite team is the Cleveland Browns (it’s her hometown) – but she also can’t resist her love for the Bengals. She enjoys participating in her kids’ sports leagues and volunteer coaching. 

Nancy Grayson’s foundation work is a recipe for lifting NKY community

Nancy Grayson has been president and CEO of Horizon Community Funds of Northern Kentucky since the foundation’s inception in 2017.

During the pandemic, it raised $2.1 million to support more than 85,000 Northern Kentuckians most impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Since its launch, the foundation has raised over $55 million to support the needs of the Northern Kentucky community.

Outside of work, Grayson is an avid gardener and aspiring chef; you can often find her in her kitchen using one of her many cooking gadgets or trying out a new recipe from her trove of cookbooks. Her friends acknowledge her love of oysters and her ability to shuck whatever is thrown her way. 

NancyGrayson

RashedaCromw

MeredithDelaney

MoiraWeir

“My daughters were concerned about me living alone. They visited Twin Lakes and knew this was the place for me. I enjoy all of the conveniences Twin Lakes offers. I can go to the Campus Shop to buy stamps and greeting cards for my grandchildren, get my haircut in the salon or go to the fitness room to exercise. My daughters have peace of mind knowing someone is always here if I need anything.”

Community Shares broadens mission with incubator

For a quarter century, Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati has raised money through workplace campaigns as a funder of progressive charities. But it has now added mentoring emerging social justice causes to its mission through a new incubator program.

“We offered basic fiscal sponsorship to small groups such as the Young Activist Coalition and Cincinnati Women’s March organizers United We Stand, but we were just a bank account for them,” said Community Shares CEO T. Duane Gordon.

“Our Social Justice Incubator now mentors newly established groups that will eventually spin off as independent nonprofits.”

Community Shares partners with volunteers, accepting tax-deductible contributions on their behalf while developing a board, bylaws, budgets and other basics of a new charity, Gordon said. The work was supported with grants from the P&G Fund the past two years, he added.

“Many people have great hearts and creative ideas to address community need but require professional hand-holding to walk down the path of creating a strong organization,” Gordon said.

Efforts within Community Shares’ funding areas of social and economic justice, environmental sustainability, and conservation and animal welfare in the Greater Cincinnati and Dayton region are eligible.

9840 Montgomery Road

Montgomery, Ohio 45242

(513) 247-1300

lec.org/communities/twin-lakes

One of the first members of the incubator was Transform. Over two years as an SJI partner, Transform has provided new wardrobes for more than 350 local youths and young adults transitioning genders, support groups for their families, and a weekly game night. Its fundraising efforts have attracted endorsements from multiple celebrities including director Ava DuVernay and Emmy-winning actress MJ Rodriguez.

“Transform is grateful to have the foundation and support of Community Shares,” said Transform co-founder Tristan Vaught. “As a small non-profit, the guidance, resources and stability of an incubation phase has been a catalyst in our success.”

The Willows Project recently graduated from the program. It provides Central American immigrant families in the Springdale and Glendale areas with essential food, housing, transportation, education and legal support. 

At Twin Lakes Assisted Living, you can maintain your independence while having the support you need.

Dennis Schone, Twin Lakes Assisted Living resident

Emmywinning actress MJ Rodriguez encouraging fans to donate to Transform in Cincinnati

Transform client Jason choosing their wardrobe

Transform co-founders Tristan Vaught and Ella Dastillung celebrate its second anniversary under Community Shares’ fiscal sponsorship.

Tickets: MemorialHallOTR.org or 513-977-8838

Sunday, March 26

7 PM

Memorial Hall

• Winner of the 2022 German SWR Young Opera Stars Competition

• Awarded the Emmerich Smola Prize, selected by the audience— only six young top-class singers are invited to compete for this award

• Awarded the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Orchestra Prize, selected by members of the orchestra

• 2021 prize winner in the singing division of the ARD music competition, Germany’s largest international classical music competition

• Member of the Deutsche Oper am Rhein

• Repertoire includes role of Prince Orlovsky in Die Fledermaus, Lisetta in Haydn’s Il mondo della luna, Angelina in Rossini’s La Cenerentola and Cherubino in Le nozze diFigaro

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The Cincinnati May Festival has been selected by the National Endowment for the Arts to receive a Grant for Arts Projects award of $20,000 to support its 25 for 25: A New Time for Choral Music Commissioning Project. The 25 for 25 project has engaged with composers from Luna Composition Lab to write 25 new choral works for local ensembles across Greater Cincinnati. Luna Composition Lab provides mentorship, education and resources for young female, nonbinary and gender non-conforming composers ages 13-18. In addition, the May Festival will present a free Community Choral Showcase on March 19 at Christ Church Cathedral, 2-7 p.m., including 21 of the commissioned pieces. More information on the project’s composers and performances can be found at mayfestival.com/25.

installment in the VAE’s multiseason, multicomposer series of commissions. Founded in 1979, VAE is Greater Cincinnati’s premier professional vocal ensemble.

for its larger scholarship fund will be recognized on June 11 at the foundation’s annual Hall of Fame dinner.

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T he Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Foundation, distributed by the Foundation Office at Fifth Third Bank, granted Health Care Access Now $50,000 for its Maternal and Child Health Care Coordination program. Health care inequities disproportionately affect people of color in the Cincinnati region, as evidenced by infant health and mortality data. For example, the infant mortality rate for Black babies in Hamilton County is more than three times the rate of white babies. The grant will fund services to about 250 mothers and pregnant women at risk of negative health outcomes.

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The Vocal Arts Ensemble of Cincinnati has been awarded its first-ever National Endowment for the Arts grant. The grant will commission a new small ensemble orchestration of “Sanctuary Road” by Pulitzer Prizewinning composer Paul Moravec and Grammy Award-winning librettist Mark Campbell. The finished project will be performed by VAE, led by Grammy-winning conductor Craig Hella Johnson, on April 29 at the Aronoff Center for the Arts’ Jarson-Kaplan Theater. It is the second

The Anthony Muñoz Foundation is currently awarding thousands of dollars through its Straight A scholarship and scholarship fund. The foundation has awarded $700,000 to 306 area students through its Straight A Scholarship and over $2 million to 100 students through its scholarship fund since its inception. Thanks to Mike’s Carwash, the foundation is awarding $42,000 in scholarships to seniors this year. Eighteen Tristate students, nine male and nine female, will be recognized at the Straight A luncheon April 26. Finalists

EARN YOUR PH.D. IN INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES

Elevate your career at Union Institute & University.

~ Earn a Doctorate with an Emphasis on Social Justice.

~ Build Community in Week-Long Residencies (in January and July).



A $30,000 gift from the P&G Fund to Junior Achievement of OKI Partners, combined with generous Procter & Gamble Co. volunteer hours, are helping prepare Cincinnati Public School students for a positive future after graduation. The 2022 grant, assisted by nearly 70 P&G volunteers, provided courses in either JA’s “Economics for Success” or “It’s My Business,” for hundreds of CPS eighth graders.

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The Duke Energy Foundation is awarding Regional Youth Leadership $5,000 to continue the organization’s mission of providing unique opportunities for the region’s future workforce and youth to thrive and succeed. RYL, a unique extracurricular program of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, uses the community as a classroom, bringing the region’s young leaders together with local business and civic leaders to enhance the educational experience and complement academic classroom learning.

~ Opt for a Creative Dissertation.

~ Choose from four different concentrations:

*Humanities & Culture

*Ethical & Creative Leadership

*Public Policy & Social Change

*Education Justice & Equity

“The complete education gives one not only power of concentration, but worthy objectives upon which to concentrate. The broad education will, therefore, transmit to one not only the accumulated knowledge of the race but also the accumulated experience of social living.”

~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Nonprofit News

School Board School, Cohear team up on education pitch night

School Board School and Cohear teamed up for the second annual Education Policy Pitch Night, and over 100 came out to hear ideas from everyday experts on how to improve Cincinnati Public Schools.

There were six pitches from students, parents, educators and community members. Superintendent Iranetta Wright, school board President Ben Lindy and Policy Committee Chair Mike Moroski provided feedback and asked questions about each pitch. At the end, they chose the pitch they wanted to see championed in the district, and the audience voted on their choice. Both groups chose a proposal to build a user-friendly IEP implementation tool.

Talbert House named top workplace for diversity

Talbert House has earned the 2022 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence recognition for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Practices. Issued by Energage, a research company with more than 16 years of experience surveying over 27 million employees at 70,000 organizations, Top Workplaces awards are based solely on employee feedback. The DE&I Practices Top Workplaces award celebrates organizations that are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive place to work, no matter one’s background.

Cincinnati one of best places for moviemakers to live and work

Film Cincinnati announced that Cincinnati has been named one of the best places to live and work in the U.S. film industry. MovieMaker Magazine compiles its annual list based on surveys, production spending, tax incentives, additional research and personal visits when possible. Cincinnati remained No. 11 on the list announced by MovieMaker. Cincinnati’s rank is highest in Ohio, ahead of Cleveland at No. 18.

Matthew 25: Ministries launches health, wellness outreach campaign

Matthew 25: Ministries, a humanitarian aid and disaster relief organization, has launched a national Health and Wellness outreach campaign, assisting partner organizations to combat RSV, seasonal illnesses like the flu and variants of COVID-19. With the help of product donors including Procter & Gamble, Cintas, Duracell, Tide and more, Matthew 25 is shipping truckloads of supplies nationwide for health and hygiene distribution.

Prysmian Group joins Adopt A Class program

Prysmian Group North America, a wire and cable systems firm located in Highland Heights, Ky., has joined the Adopt A Class program, making a donation at the Silver Spark level of $5,000. Adopt A Class offers group mentorship for K-8 students in underserved communities across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Mentor sessions take place in the classroom for one hour, once a month, with an emphasis on exposing students to experiences and career opportunities through focus on college and career pathways, essential skills, literacy and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math).

Partners launch year-long financial education program

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, First Financial Bank and the African American Chamber of Commerce announced a year-long collaboration to increase financial knowledge and address implicit bias for small business owners. The four-part series will leverage the expertise of First Financial Bank to bridge the financial knowledge gap created by centuries of systemic racism.

The free sessions will cover topics including credit, taxes, business planning and funding sources. The first session was already held. freedomcenter.org via the events tab.

“Hunting Wildflowers” follows love letters from the Great Depression. The letters, written between two people in the Goshen/Loveland area of Greater Cincinnati, expose the hard facts of rural life in that time. Their story focuses on the modern struggles of a younger woman and the wisdom of an aging aunt. Jackson and Rich-Ferguson are descendants of the Rich family, a founding family of Symmes Township. “Hunting Wildflowers” is available on Amazon and at select local venues.

New tiered system at OneSource helps nonprofits provide benefits

Greater Cincinnati nonprofits now have access to healthcare and retirement benefits through a local nonprofit organization. OneSource Center for Nonprofit Excellence recently expanded its offerings, allowing members to access healthcare and 403(b) plans for their employees. Since its inception, OneSource Center has provided local nonprofits with consulting, coaching and leadership training services; products through the Common Good Store, Furniture Bank and Marketplace; and connections to Greater Cincinnati area nonprofits.

Loveland relatives team up on local history novel

Marvel Rich-Ferguson and her grand-niece Jeanette Jackson have written a novel full of local history, “Hunting Wildflowers.” The team began writing when Rich-Ferguson was 98; publication arrived just after her 103rd birthday.

Qualified, tax-exempt organizations can choose between a basic or premium membership. Basic membership includes access to the Common Good Store, free vouchers to shop for household and other necessary products in the store, discounts on staff and board training and an organizational assessment, among other benefits. Premium membership provides access to a 403b retirement plan at no cost, access to an affinity health insurance plan, free webinars, a financial checkup and more.

Matteo Di Giampaolo, Prysmian purchasing director, with his adopted class

Marvel Rich-Ferguson and her grandniece Jeanette Jackson

Tom & Chee adds to menu to support Cure Starts Now

Cincinnati-based restaurant Tom & Chee is offering a new, limited-time melt to raise funds for cancer-fighting The Cure Starts Now. “The Cowboy” – oven-roasted chicken, pepper jack cheese, a fire-roasted corn mix and tortilla strips topped with chipotle ranch dressing on wheat – was available at all Cincinnati-based locations beginning in mid-January. A portion of proceeds from each Cowboy will benefit The Cure Starts Now.

Wave Pool launches two projects to help artists in region

Wave Pool launched an artist directory and a two-day business development conference to benefit the area’s artists. The in-person, multicourse symposium covers artists’ rights and legal considerations, grant writing, goal setting and action planning, as well as details such as building a budget, pricing your work, and five steps for starting a business. The conference was created in collaboration with ArtsWave, Cincinnati Compass, the Art Academy of Cincinnati and the Immigrant and Refugee Law Center. The first conference was scheduled for Feb. 18-19.

Reds launch new exhibit exploring impact of women

A new exhibit at the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum explores the impact of women on America’s pastime. The Dinsmore Women in Baseball Exhibit, presented by the Rosie Reds, explores the contributions women and girls have made and are making as players, fans, broadcasters, writers, coaches, managers, owners and executives. The exhibit, conceived and curated by baseball historian John Kovach, features over 200 artifacts.

Easterseals Redwood partners with veteran transition program

Easterseals Redwood is helping connect service members from all branches of the armed forces to the informational and emotional support and resources that will help them transition from active duty to veteran and civilian life.

ESRW is partnering with the ETS Sponsorship Program to assist the approximately 200,000 service members transitioning to civilian communities each year. The program is centered on building a relationship between the service member and a VA-certified and trained mentor.

The ETS program is active in 14 states and expects to reach 22,000 new enrollees in the next 18 months. Easterseals Redwood’s military and veteran services assists an average of 320 veterans each year.

REDI Cincinnati’s Lauterbach honored with two awared

Kimm Lauterbach, president and CEO of REDI Cincinnati, was honored with two TITAN Women in Business Awards, earning recognition as a platinum winner for Female Executive of the Year, Non-Profitable Organization, and gold winner for Female Executive of the Year, CEO of the Year.

Lauterbach has served in a leadership capacity since REDI Cincinnati’s formation in 2014, helping stand the organization up before becoming president and CEO in 2018. Under Lauterbach’s leadership and in partnership with our local communities in 2021, the region posted 95 project wins, 7,023 new jobs and $755.2 million in capital investment. 

Kimm Lauterbach

At the Clermont Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Excellence Awards event: Chamber President/CEO Joy Lytle with Becca Vaske, Greg Orcutt, Pete Richman, Amy Vilardo, Andrea Conner, Craig Murnan, Tim Bingaman and Chad Shaffer

Food Policy Council welcomes new members, committees

The Greater Cincinnati Regional Food Policy Council recently welcomed a new cohort of council members and launched committees to make the regional food system more resilient through collective impact.

The Food Policy Council is a collaborative of stakeholders from 10 counties across the Tristate. The restructuring of the council was guided by a collaborative planning process in 2022. One recommendation was to expand engagement across the food system, including more farmers, and beyond the city of Cincinnati.

Seventeen new council members will serve one-, two-, or three-year terms. They are: Rosie Allen, Garland Butts, Polly

Campbell, Shannon Carr, Amanda Changet , Erin Dance , Maria Gulley, Fran Knox

Kazimierczuk , Renee Mahaffey Harris, Michelle Merrett , Mark Mitchell, Aaron

Parker, Morgan Phelps, Emalee Richman,

Tonia Smith, Tony Staubach and Ellen Sundermeyer.

Alloy recognizes winners at new awards program

Alloy Growth Lab gave out its Economic Development Achievement Awards in February at the Sharonville Convention Center. Pete Blackshaw of Cintrifuse delivered the keynote. Alloy board member Kyla Woods was emcee. Award recipients: Growth Lab Client of the Year: Resolution Air ; Larry Albice Entrepreneurship Award: Brian Tibbs; Ron Schallick Economic Development Award: Pepper Construction; Todd Portune Innovation Award: Micropyretics Heaters International (MHI); David K. Main Lending Project of the Year: Mad Tree Brewing ; Lender of the Year: LCNB National Bank ; Lending Advocate of the Year: Wayne Wirth, Poppy Bank.

Clermont chamber, state development center name annual award winners

The Clermont Chamber of Commerce, together with the Ohio Small Business Development Center, announced winners for the annual Small Business Excellence

Awards, presented by Duke Energy. The awards were presented at the Clermont Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting.

The Edward J. Parish Pacesetter Award recognized Cyndy Wright Sellers, vice presidentcommercial cash management at Park National Bank. The Martha Dorsey Pacesetter Award recognized former U.S. Sen. Rob Portman as a public servant who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, character and citizenship. The business excellence award went to Huber Home Management .

Also: SBDC Excellence Award: Row House Gallery ; Businesswoman of the year award: Danielle Prewitt , events and engagement specialist at American Modern Insurance Group; Emerging business of the year award: Management Essentials; Emerging leader of the year award: Polly Camery, founder and director of Bluebird Bus of Hope; Volunteer of the year: Cathy Recker.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation names local award winners

The Cincinnati/Dayton division of the Ohio chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation named winners of its annual awards for 2022: David Yeager, CF Star Award; Tom Groll, Chapter Corporate Champion Award; Tim Horton’s, Corporate Team Award; Sandy Brady, Grampions Award; Megan Pate , Great Strides Partner Award; Michael Raines, Hero of Hope Award; Dave Evans, Gold Star Popcorn, In-Kind Partner Award; Jeffrey Ronningen, Rookie of the Year Award; Ashley Walls, Tomorrow’s Leader Award; Diane Adams, Volunteer of the Year Award.

Beech Acres Parenting Center named Brice Mickey of Green Township as vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion, leading the agency’s focus on instilling transformative DEI throughout its work to help children realize their endless potential. Mickey has been selected for multiple awards for his work in social change leadership. As a consultant, he helped organizations and employees achieve their equity and inclusion goals. He is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati.

Beech Acres named Kainat Puetz as vice president of With All Families. She will oversee the agency’s work in foster and adoptive care, kinship care and parent enrichment, taking a leadership role in helping to find homes for thousands of children in Hamilton County.

Cincinnati Preschool Promise elected Micah Kamrass into a new leadership role as its board chair. The position was previously held by the late Dr. O’dell M. Owens. Kamrass is a partner at Manley Burke LPA. He is a founding member of Cincinnati Preschool Promise’s board of managers. In addition, Marcia Futel was elected board secretary. Futel is co-owner of Chuck Futel & Associates, a financial services company. She has served on CPP’s board for two years. Also joining the CPP board is Kristina Phillips, director, Cincinnati Business Committee. After a talent search led by executive search firm Centennial, CPP selected a new deputy director, Kenetra Mathis, who had been the organization’s program and evaluation manager. Before joining Cincinnati Preschool Promise, Mathis was vice president of impact for the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio.

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OneSource Center named eight new board members: Jen DuBois, vice president, Prosper for Business-Mackey Advisors; Stacey Hill-Simmons, director of School Leadership, Cincinnati Public Schools; Bill LaVigne , RCF Group, move management division leader; Bao M. Nguyen, financial advisor, Edward Jones; Trevor Phillips Jr., director, community ticketing, FC Cincinnati; Andi Sempier, director of sales and relationships, Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment; Jody Yetzer, immediate past manager of consulting services, OneSource; David A. Zimmerman, partner, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP.

Long-time Indian Hill resident Shelley Goering has taken on a new role as chief business development officer at Meals on Wheels Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky. For the last four years, Goering was chief executive officer of 55 North, the Hyde Park-based nonprofit that served more than 1,000 seniors in Cincinnati’s eastern neighborhoods with meals, transportation, a full calendar of health, wellness and social programs, and services that helped seniors connect to the digital world. Her new role comes about after she led the organization into a merger in January with the larger Meals on Wheels, which serves more than 10,000 seniors throughout 11 counties in Ohio and Kentucky.

Ellen Bates has joined the executive leadership team with 10 years of experience at the Brighton Center. She has led the agency’s Kentucky Career Center, workforce development and housing and financial wellness.

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Ohio River Foundation named Fifth Third Bank chief sustainability officer Michael Faillo to its board of directors. Faillo will serve as board treasurer. Faillo leads Fifth Third’s comprehensive environmental, social and governance strategy, which includes the bank’s climate strategy and sustainable finance initiatives, as well as social and governance reporting.

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Gov. Mike DeWine appointed four members to the Ohio Arts Council board in January, including Kristie Dukes Davis of Cincinnati. Dukes Davis was elected trustee of Springfield Township in Hamilton County in November of 2019 for a term beginning in 2020. She is a Cincinnati native, and earned her bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Northern Kentucky University. Dukes Davis currently serves as chief of mediation services at Hamilton County Juvenile Court and serves as an executive board member for Linden Grove School.

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Aviatra Accelerators has hired Jasmine Hughes as its new marketing strategist and program manager. Hughes, previously a marketing and relationship specialist for AGNT, a design studio in Covington, Ky., will be responsible for managing relationships, scheduling and planning Aviatra programming, and marketing the programs and events to entrepreneurs and business leaders in the region.

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The Ion Center for Violence Prevention has hired a new non-residential services director. Angie Teegarden, who has over 26 years of experience working with survivors of power-based personal violence, returned to the center in the new role Jan. 9. Teegarden began her career with the Ion Center in 2001, when she joined the organization as a counselor and court advocate.

Angie Teegarden Jasmine Hughes

Michael Faillo

Ellen Bates

Shelley Goering

David A. Zimmerman

Jody Lynn Yetzer Andi Sempier Trevor Phillips Jr.

Bao Nguyen Bill LaVigne Stacey Hill-Simmons Jen DuBois Kenetra Mathis Kristina Phillips

Marcia Futel Micah Kamrass Kainat Puetz Brice Mickey

Kristie Dukes Davis

Shermirah Smith has been named vice president of the DePaul Cristo Rey High School Corporate Work Study Program, having served as the interim director of CWSP since summer 2022. She is a Cincinnati native and holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Phoenix. Smith has been a member of the CWSP team since 2019, first joining DPCR as an administrative coordinator.

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The Northern Kentucky Chamber Women’s Initiative named Sandi Hammons as the recipient of the 10th annual Debbie Simpson Spirit of Achievement Award. The award honors women involved in the WI program who have made a significant impact on the progress of the program, had career success and been active in the community.

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The Greater Cincinnati Regional Food Policy Council recently hired Amanda Lukas as its first community connections coordinator. Previously, Lukas served as the outdoor market and sustainability manager at Findlay Market, the warehouse manager at the Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub and the market manager at Madeira Farmers Market.

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The Cincinnati Preservation Association named three new board members: Susan Casey of Ignite Philanthropy; Jennifer Martin, past accounting director at 3CDC and partner at the local CPA firm Mellott & Mellott; and Rick Wheeler, Cincinnati team leader and senior structural engineer at KPPF Consulting Engineers.

Melissa Wegman and Douglas Abrams have been appointed to the Great Parks Board of Park Commissioners, both serving three-year terms. Abrams, from Harrison, recently retired from the Evendale Police Department and has extensive law enforcement experience in drug related investigations. Wegman, from East Price Hill, serves as vice president of the Wegman Co.

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Talbert House promoted Dr. Kamaria Tyehimba to vice president of behavioral health. She has served as the director of addictions services at Talbert since 2018.

Pro Bono Partnership of Ohio elected Christine Robek to its board. She serves as group counsel, employment and labor relations at ClevelandCliffs Inc., and has been a PBPO volunteer since its founding in 2015. 

Melissa Wegman Douglas Abrams

Kamaria Tyehimba

Rick Wheeler Jennifer Martin

Susan Casey

Amanda Lukas

Sandi Hammons Shermirah Smith

Christine Robek

Snapshots Who, what, where & why

Good Samaritan gala raises record-breaking $687K

“All That Glitters,” the Good Samaritans’ 38th annual gala, topped last year’s record fundraising. The $687,335 raised by friends of the Good Samaritan Foundation will support Forever Forward along with annual support of the Good Samaritan Free Health Center and Medical Education Research Fund.

Guests enjoyed dinner, cocktails, and dancing to Pasadena-based AMFM Band. The evening included palm readers, selfie booths, sketch artists, glittery tattoos, face painting and more. The activities, entertainment and meal were underwritten by sponsors and Forward Partners. The gala’s presenting sponsor was PFS Group.

 www.gshfoundation.com/gala

Mark Bourdenko, Orane Douglas, Raymond Ruiz, Nia Washington, Mike Schlund, Justina Schlund, Greg Maddrey, Taylor Douglas and Brian Spendley

Dr. George Kerlakian, Kip Heekin and Mark Clement

TriHealth President and CEO Mark Clement, Mary Clement, Ralph (Mike) Michael, Ann Michael, Jason Dzanski, Brandi Dzanski, Debbie Groski, Jeff Groski, Meredith DeVoe and Andrew DeVoe

Gala committee members Melody Weil, Lisa Martin, Joyce Lehmann, Renita Homan, Tessie Hayden, Lesley-Ann Gracey and Shiva Ghazi

“All That Glitters” guests dance to AMFM Band.

The Chatfield Edge begins its new nonprofit work

Current Chatfield College scholarship recipients, past presidents, board members, family and friends gathered at Sacred Heart Chapel in St. Martin on Jan. 29 to honor the people and legacy of Chatfield College in Brown County and Over-the-Rhine, as well as to celebrate the college’s future as a new education nonprofit, the Chatfield Edge.

Through support services, scholarships, mentoring and faith, the Chatfield Edge will help firstgeneration and underserved students transform their lives. The Chatfield Edge will serve students pursuing any postsecondary education, including college or a trade or certificate program. The Chatfield Edge’s work is rooted in the educational legacy of the Ursuline Sisters of Brown County, but welcomes students of all faiths or no faith backgrounds.

www.chatfieldedge.org

Faith leaders come together for social justice conversation

CityLink Center’s first Community Conversations event of the year, “Faith, Prosperity, & Justice” included a panel of regional faith leaders: Tim Senff from Crossroads Mason, Damon Lynch Jr. from New Jerusalem Baptist, Father Jim Sichko from Missionary of Mercy and Bishop Michael Dantley of Christ Emmanuel. Panel members dove into their own work and challenges the modern church faces.

Lynch, a longtime civil rights leader, challenged the audience to take ownership in the fight for racial equality. Senff spoke about his own journey to understand privilege and the systems that make economic mobility nearly impossible for some. Crossroads’ Chuck Mingo moderated, shared resources and challenged the audience to remain engaged.

CityLink is hosting the panel discussions with local and regional leaders of different faith backgrounds to explore the church’s role in economic justice. Next up, CityLink is offering for free the “Immersion Experience” March 9 for guests to experience the realities of poverty.

 www.eventbrite.com, CityLink Center

Organist James Wiederhold plays for the celebration

Keeley Schurman, current Chatfield scholarship recipient

Former Chatfield College presidents John Tafaro (2009-20019), Sister Ellen Doyle (1986-1997) and Robert Elmore (2020-2023)

Arneqka Lester (center), a current Chatfield scholarship recipient, flanked by friends Breasia Johnson and Latasha Smith

Interim director of the Chatfield Edge, David Hesson, shakes hands with board member Tommie Lewis; board chair Victoria Parlin also is pictured.

Johnmark Oudersluys, CityLink executive director; Pastor Jim Strayhorn, director of spiritual growth at CityLink; Father Jim Sichko; Rev. Damon Lynch Jr.; Bishop Michael Dantley; Tim Senff; and Chuck Mingo

SCPA celebrates 50th anniversary

Cincinnati’s finest performers and the School for Creative and Performing Arts came together to celebrate the school’s 50th anniversary. The “Future of the Arts Gala” included dinner and performances by 150 SCPA students and alumni. The event was produced in partnership with the Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati May Festival, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra and the Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, Alumni Alton Fitzgerald White, class of 1982, and William Menefield, class of 1988, were honored. John F. Barrett of Western & Southern Financial Group received recognition for his support, passion and investment in arts education. All proceeds will provide essential support for SCPA students.

 https://scpa.cps-k12.org

Sheila Williams, Antoinette Green and Mary Wineberg

Student Sophie Trefz, Lucy Hodgson, Peter Koenig and student Nevaeh Carson

Kyle Inskeep, Jaasiel Chapman, Mitch Mustain, Kristy Davis-Mustain, Paula Toti and Tim Smith

Tom Bentley and Amy Bentley

Michael Campbell, Sarah Anne Campbell, Tim Giglio, Jeff Thomas and Kent Shaw

Andrew Wodzisz, Kate Wodzisz, Robert Heidenreich, Genita Heidenreich, Sally Budig and Otto M. Budig Jr.

Carolyn Jones and Brandon Craig Jack Geiger, Kay Geiger and Rick Kammerer

Barb Kiefer, Sandra Laney, Jon Roberto and Lori Roberto

Lori Klinedinst, Tom Klinedinst III, George Klinedinst and Angela Klinedinst

Photos by Mikki s Chaffner

Western & Southern presents record-breaking check to Salvation Army

The Salvation Army received a record-breaking check from Western & Southern Financial Group’s charitable foundation for $112,566. The check includes $56,283 from visitor donations received during the 2022 holiday season at the Crib of the Nativity display at Eden Park’s Krohn Conservatory and an equal match from Western & Southern Financial Fund. The 2022 donation tops the previous year by nearly 20% and is the result of a record of more than 36,500 visitors to the display.

The Crib of the Nativity was started by Western & Southern in 1939, where it was presented at Lytle Park, moved to Union Terminal during World War II and eventually moved to Eden Park. In 1993, Western & Southern’s foundation began matching monetary gifts made by those visiting the display. Since then, donations and the match have resulted in more than $750,000 for the Salvation Army.  www.salvationarmycincinnati.org

Ethics center, public library offers Dungeons and Dragons program

The Cincinnati Ethics Center at The University of Cincinnati ex panded its new program that combines the popular role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons with critical moral reasoning skills for children and teenagers.

Through role-play, participants will take on the role of adventur ers who help a fantasy village or town deal with problems that usually involve helping them fight off evil forces. Players engage in critical moral thinking and dialogue. The program is designed by a team at the Cincinnati Ethics Center to teach young people how to make ethical decisions and engage in moral dialogue in a fun and interactive way.

The program started as a partnership with the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library in June 2022. It was so popular that it expanded into the school year, and this spring it will be held at three li brary branches, all from 5:307:30 p.m.: Westwood Branch Library on Mondays, Avondale Branch Library on Mondays and Anderson Branch Library on Wednesdays.

www.cinlib.org/dungeons

Western & Southern senior vice president Linda Lake, CEO John Barrett and Salvation Army Divisional Commander Maj. Timothy Lyle

Emmy Award Winner

Jonathan McKinney with Charlie Cullison at Westwood library branch

The need of hunger and the hunger to help

Sometime toward the beginning of the tapering-off of the Covid pandemic, going stir-crazy and wanting to get started on my retirement goals, I started doing volunteer delivery driving for La Soupe.

I’ve admired this organization since they started rescuing surplus vegetables and turning them into soup in a tiny café on Round Bottom Road. Chef and caterer Suzy DeYoung was trying to grapple with two tragically absurd realities. First, that 30% to 40% of food produced in the US is never eaten, which amounts to 119 billion pounds a year of discarded food, much of it perfectly edible when it’s thrown away. Second, that lots of Americans don’t have enough to eat.

La Soupe has a big new facility in Walnut Hills where it gathers food, transforms much of it into soup or other dishes to make it more useful to the people receiving it, then sends it out to food pantries and other programs, using

a sophisticated online system to coordinate the volunteers who do it.

I thought I knew the city pretty well. During the many years I wrote for the Enquirer, I traveled all over the Cincinnati area, mostly to restaurants. But this delivery task took me to neighborhoods where I’d never been, where there aren’t any restaurants, sometimes not any grocery stores. I set my GPS map to housing project community centers, industrial parks and inner-city schools where I’d find a door or a gate and someone to come open it. We’d unload the boxes together and I’d always ask what their nonprofit did.

The sheer variety of the answers really made an impression on me.

I delivered pre-assembled meals to the Lincoln Grant Scholar House in Covington, where single parents going to college have housing and support for their family while they work to get ahead.

I backed up to a loading dock in Blue Ash, wondering why I was

Help Provide a Bed for a Sleepyhead

Thousands

making a delivery to a generally affluent neighborhood. “There’s a number of trailer parks in Blue Ash and unnoticed low-income people here. People’s budgets just don’t stretch,” said the woman who helped me unload into a neatly arranged food pantry where people could come shop.

At a West Side school, the food is arranged so the children can pick out what they want to take home. Invariably, they look for something they know their mother would like, said the woman I talked to there.

I went to Lincoln Heights and OTR and Colerain, to food banks, a soup kitchen, schools, a health clinic. My car was loaded with good food: milk and fruit, vegetables, meat and cheese, salads and bread. I didn’t see anything I wouldn’t have eaten.

And every time I drove, I got a feeling of satisfaction that I hadn’t really earned, since it was easy to do. But I developed an image of the routes I was driving as a web being spun around the city, and my destinations were junctions in the web, with further lines going out from each of those places. In my mind, the whole network glows, brightest at the junctions, where the food is shared with people who need it by people who care. It’s a combination of a centralized organization at La Soupe, with a very local, neighborhood-based distribution of resources

I am impressed, always, by the action and the hard work people put into helping others. And especially, the creativity applied to making the help useful and efficient.

There’s a food pantry out in Clermont County called CNE Cares. Wendy Schuchmann who works there told me they started early in COVID when so many people lost work. Their model is to give families meal kits: all the components of three meals for the week, often incorporating already-made soup, but also recipes and everything needed for them, right down to the spices. They are worried right now about the big reduction in SNAP benefits (food stamps) from higher COVID levels.

Polly Campbell

Saturday Hoops gets breakfast from La Soupe. It was “created by some guys who thought kids needed something to do,” said volunteer Jennifer Ware. It’s grown, now offering a full program of things to do on Saturdays at the Winton Hills and Lincoln rec centers, along with lunch and breakfast. Ware and her two children take charge of the breakfast, picking it up from La Soupe on Friday, and showing up with it at the program every Saturday.

There are over 150 organizations like these that work with La Soupe.

This charity model isn’t going to solve the inequity that produces the absurd situation of hunger in a land of plenty, which is only getting worse as the gap between rich and poor gets wider. What it can do is give some food to a kid too hungry to pay attention in class, provide some good soup for a stressed-out parent to feed her family, help an elderly person make it to the end of the month. Not to mention saving good food from landfills.

La Soupe is not hurting for volunteer drivers: They have a whole fleet. But I know that at many points on this web that I’ve gotten a glimpse of, at each nonprofit, there is need for donations of time and caring, for money, participation, The web, put together with love and creativity for people to help each other, always needs people. 

Polly Campbell covered restaurants and food for the Cincinnati Enquirer from 1996 until 2020. She lives in Pleasant Ridge with her husband, and since retiring does a lot of reading, cooking and gardening, if that’s what you call pulling weeds.

She writes monthly on a variety of topics, and she welcomes your feedback and column suggestions at editor@moversmakers.org.

of children in Cincinnati are sleeping on the oor, but we can work together to get them a bed.

CINCINNATI’S BEST

Are Getting Even Better!

2023 will be a monumental year of progress for the Sharonville Convention Center and the Northern Lights District. With our upcoming $21 million expansion set to begin this year, the City of Sharonville continues to grow our amenities. The new Todd Portune Hall will accommodate up to 2,000 people for our large galas while our Northern Lights Ballroom will continue to accommodate events up to 700. With the new Delta by Marriott Hotel, our connected Hyatt Place hotel and the award winning Third Eye Brewery all just steps away, your guests will truly enjoy a one-of-a kind experience.

Get Inspired. To learn more contact us at 513.771.7744 or at sccinfo@cityofsharonville.com sharonvilleconventioncenter.com