Diversity

Census workers take to the streets

By Newsroom

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April 7, 2009

700 new jobs started this week in Cincinnati as the newest wave of government workers took to the streets for what will become a three-month walking of every street in every town in the region. Equipped with the latest in hand-held global-positioning gadgets, the census field workers are charged with counting every person in the city as part of the U.S. Census. Mayor Mallory takes the business of counting seriously as an accurate tally will translate into federal dollars. Currently the Census Bureau estimates the city's population at 332,458 – less than the 378,259 he believes are actually living in the city. To read the full story, click here. Writer: Jeff Syroney Source: Cincinnati.com

Latest in Diversity

YP population growing

By Newsroom

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Arts + Culture

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March 31, 2009

Between 2005 and 2007, the number of young adults in the 15-county metropolitan area grew 4 percent, after dropping 13 percent over the previous 15 years.And although it's hard to say just how many of these 16,648 additional young men and women are "professionals", it has become clear that efforts to attract and engage this demographic have been stepped up since a 2002 visit by author Richard Florida gave the region poor marks.Charlotte Otto, global external relations officer at Procter & Gamble, tells the Enquirer that continuing to improve urban housing, entertainment options, and social connections will be the key to helping the region attract and retain the very best talent.The recently completed Agenda 360 regional plan has set a goal of attracting another 150,000 adults ages 20-34 by 2020, which would require a 36 percent increase in the number of young adults in just 10 more years.Read the full article here.

Xavier seeking stimulus funds for Xavier Square, Hoff Quad

By Newsroom

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Arts + Culture

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March 24, 2009

Xavier University has submitted proposals for $80 million in funding from the federal economic stimulus package to help fund several campus projects.University officials believe that $32 million for the stalled Xavier Square project could finance public infrastructure and make the site more attractive to private developers.Stimulus funds in the amount of $26.5 million would be dedicated to the second phase of the Hoff Academic Quad, the renovation of Alter Hall, Schott Hall, and the McDonald Library.In addition to the two larger projects, $23.5 million is being sought for the new King Records facility, the new Central Utility Plant, and the renovation of Norwood's Allison Street School.Read the full article here.

Talking architecture with Aaron Betsky

By Jane Durrell

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Architecture + Design

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March 24, 2009

Conversations with Aaron Betsky, Cincinnati Art Museum director, are likely to wheel around to architecture. He and Jane Durrell settle down to talk on that subject itself, beginning with Betsky's "Of course, architects never do what you expect them to."

Celebrated author Michelle Singletary to discuss Cincinnati economy

By Newsroom

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Development News

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March 24, 2009

Over-the-Rhine's Emanuel Community Center is repositioning itself as a community connector, and it's bringing in a high-profile speaker to help make that happen.On, May 11 at Memorial Hall, Emanuel andSmartMoney will present Michelle Singletary, a syndicated business and finance columnist for the Washington Post, a frequent contributor toNational Public Radio, and author of two books.Emanuel is soliciting ideas for topics for Singletary through a survey on its home page. Karyl Cunningham, CEO of Emanuel, says that the event fits the non-profit's mission of bringing disparate groups together through shared experiences."Michelle Singletary's appearance is an opportunity to bring residents and businesses of the community as well as those residents and businesses located in the central business district in coming together and hearing national figure address an issue that affects us all, no matter what our age, our socioeconomic background, or our culture," she says.Emanuel's new mission and vision involves getting new and long-time Over-the-Rhine residents talking, exposing new people to the neighborhood, creating friendships, and having fun.They have recently launched Jazzercise and salsa classes, which have drawn people from a wide range of socioeconomic and racial backgrounds."We envision ourselves as a community connector in creating a cohesive community by providing education and shared neighborhood experiences that connect all residents of Over-the-Rhine," Cunningham says. "Emanuel is a community center and a community center's job is to engage people by bringing them together, whether it is participation in a book club, a meet-and-greet the artist session, an author book presentation, a place where community and business meetings take place, a place where workshops, jazz sets, et cetera take place." Cunningham says that they're trying to differentiate themselves from the numerous non-profits operating in the neighborhood."Emanuel Community Center is not a social service," she says. "In its history of 138 years, it has certainly served in that social service capacity, but as the neighborhood has changed, Emanuel had to realign itself with those changes."Writer: Kevin LeMasterSource: Karyl Cunningham, CEO, Emanuel Community Center

Minority Business Accelerator adds KANU Investments and Focus Solutions to portfolio

By Newsroom

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Diversity

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March 24, 2009

The Minority Business Accelerator (MBA) has just included two more companies in its portfolio: KANU Investments, Inc. and Focus Solutions, Inc. This brings the total roster of minority owned companies in the MBA portfolio up to 30.As the premier minority-owned business initiative of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, the MBA has made great progress since its inception in 2002."The MBA has done a phenomenal job," says MBA vice president Crystal German. The combined revenues of the firms in the MBA portfolio started at $95 million in 2003 and exploded to $375 million in 2007. The companies in the portfolio have burgeoned too. Since the MBA's start in 2002, the average firm has grown from $4.8 million to $8.2 million. And employment has increased by 36 percent.Its goal is simple: to help well established minority-owned businesses grow and bring new players into the field. This results in minority businesses playing a larger role in the economy, thus increasing employment and economic growth in the region.German explains that, essentially, this is done on both the demand and supply sides to ensure that the minority businesses involved are fully plugged into all aspects of the economy.To gain entry, a business must be minority-owned and generate a minimum revenue of $1 million; something both KANU Investments and Focus Solutions have no problem doing.KANU Investments, a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) under the name L.A. Scott Trucking, plies its trade as a DOT-registered truckload contract carrier, led by president and CEO I. Enyi Kanu. Focus Solutions, also an MBE as well as a Women's Business Enterprise (WBE), performs three main functions: process management, property management and temporary staffing. President and CEO Zola Stewart holds the reins at Focus.KANU and Focus are in good hands with the MBA.In 2008 the MBA convinced local businesses to spend $400 million in goods and services with local area MBEs – a 30 percent increase in spending.With this track record, the MBA is poised to play an important part in bolstering Cincinnati's economy in the economic climate of 2009."This is an important thing for Cincinnati to have because there are so many residual benefits," says Chamber PR director, Chris Kemper. "It's a national leader for what we do. It's [something] Cincinnati should be proud of because it's been so successful."To learn more about the MBA, visit here.Writer: Jonathan DeHartSource: Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Chris Kemper, Crystal German

Registration open for inaugural UC Diversity Conference

By Newsroom

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Cincy In The News

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March 10, 2009

Registration is now open for the inaugural University of Cincinnati Diversity Conference, to be held April 15 at the Tangeman University Center."Exploring Commonalities and Celebrating Differences", hosted by the President's Diversity Council, will highlight best practices in the catgories of recruitment and retention, campus life and climate, community collaborations, and assessment and accountability.Nineteen sessions will include topics of race and enthnicity, gender, sexual orientation, education, healthcare, and housing."In order to make this conference a great community collaboration, we are encouraging our University community, the consortium of colleges and universities, and the greater community to attend this dynamic one-day event," vice president for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer Mitchel D. Livingston tells UC News.Read the full release here.

UC professors produce first known introductory text on LGBT Studies

By Newsroom

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Arts + Culture

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March 10, 2009

Finding a lack of textbooks that could adequately introduce the topic of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) studies to their students, a pair of University of Cincinnati professors decided to create one.Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies professors Deborah Meem and Michelle Gibson worked with former UC colleague Jonathan Alexander to produce "Finding Out: An Introduction to LGBT Studies", considered by the authors to be the first real introductory LGBT textbook published in the field.The book, which covers such topics as gay and lesbian history, queer theory, intersectionality, and concepts of moral panic, was field tested by Meem's students and by students in a similar course at Northern Kentucky University.While designed as a textbook, the authors hope it will attract a broader readership of people who want to learn more about the topic.Read the full article here.

Xavier launches innovative summer business program in Israel

By Newsroom

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Diversity

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March 3, 2009

In the push to offer relevant, innovative study options to Cincinnati's college students, Xavier University is offering two new business-oriented study abroad programs in Israel, beginning this summer.This new series of programs adds to Xavier's offerings in China, Jordan and Egypt, and Korea and Japan.For undergraduate students, of any major, a six credit hour program will be offered from June 4-22. Doing Business in Israel, offering three credit hours, will give students a peek into the business, political and social landscape of Israel. Special emphasis will be given to social entrepreneurship and the influence of culture on business.The interreligious culture of contemporary Israel will be explored through the Study of Western Religions, rounding out the last three credit hours of the program.Although the courses in this program compliment XU's curriculum, they are transferrable to other institutions, as well.“I anticipate a very positive experience for the travelers,” says George Gordon, instructor in Xavier's MBA program at the Williams College of Business and leader of the undergraduate trip. “It is not only a chance to earn 6 credit hours, but it’s an opportunity to look at history and tradition in order to understand today’s business values as well as Israel and the Middle East’s role in today’s flat world. Is there any better place to study comparative religion than in Jerusalem?” But undergrads are the only ones to benefit from this program launch. Israel, a land known for its prevalence of social entrepreneurship and strength in things high-tech, offers an excellent case study for examining global economic forces.Thus, MBA students and alumni can participate in the three credit hour course, Doing Business in Israel, which promises to enlighten on global market forces affecting Israel, foster an understanding of Israel's importance as a global economic power and compare and contrast Israeli and American business culture.Innovatively taking the learning beyond classroom walls, students in both programs will observe business operations Cincinnati-side then observe the same companies as they do business in Israel.Guest appearances will be made by government and business leaders, entrepreneurs and Israeli business students.“According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Israel has more companies on the NASDAQ than any other country, except the U.S. and Canada,” says Art Shriberg, Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship and leader of the graduate trip. Alongside taking care of business, participating students will also have opportunity to visit various sites of cultural and religious significance throughout the program.For those interested, the application deadline for both programs is March 15, 2009. The cost of both programs is the tuition fee, plus $3,200, which covers all travel and hotels, most meals and other miscellaneous expenses. Writer: Jonathan DeHartSource: Laurel Bauer, Xavier University

Cincinnati earns its ‘Queen City’ nickname

By Newsroom

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Arts + Culture

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March 3, 2009

Yes, Cincinnati has a sometimes shaky reputation. But let's forget about that for a second. (Or forever.)Laura DeMarco, a writer for the Newhouse News Service whose story was picked up by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, sees in Cincinnati a cultural revival, a city that boasts "world-class museums, a vibrant nightlife and dining scene, and a rich look at the state's history".For sights, DeMarco recommends Fountain Square, the Lois & Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and the "forward-thinking" architecture at the University of Cincinnati.The writer also recommends catching a show at the Southgate House, taking a trip off the beaten path to the Comet in Northside to dine on a giant burrito, or experiencing the fine dining, fantastic views, and charming streets of Mount Adams.Read the full article here.