Demand Better Cincinnati

Part 1: Architecture's impact on Cincinnati's economy
Part 2: Creating a place where entrepreneurs can thrive
Part 3: Building healthy, vibrant neighborhoods
Part 4: Making government more open and accountable

Since its inception, Soapbox has published hundreds of stories about the people and projects moving Cincinnati forward. We’ve featured entrepreneurs, business owners, inventors and artists dedicated not only to following their passions, but to staking a claim to following them here in Cincinnati.

At the same time, as we’ve reported on progress and expanded opportunities, we’ve seen a tendency to behave, as a city, like the wallflower at the party. The one so desperate to be asked to dance that any partner will do. The one too easily bullied thanks to a mix of inborn Midwestern hospitality with a dash of non-confrontational resignation. The one that, despite historic potential, still suffers from what can be at times a crippling lack of self-confidence. 

Now it’s time to demand better.

Already, initiatives like the Green Umbrella and Strive offer hope as they bring together powerful collaborations around the critical issues of sustainability and education. We’ll continue to report on the people driving their efforts and their latest news. But there are other critical issues—including architecture, neighborhoods, entrepreneurship and open data—that also demand our collective attention. 

That’s why this week, we launch a series of stories that have been in the works for months, inspired by this fall’s elections and the chance to start new and reinvigorate old conversations in the months leading up to it.

Part 1: Architecture's impact on Cincinnati's economy

Part 2: Creating a place where entrepreneurs can thrive

Part 3: Building healthy, vibrant neighborhoods

Part 4: Making government more open and accountable

Each week in August, we’ll feature stories focused on topics where local leaders and citizens truly do have the power to make a difference. Each will include thoughts from local as well as national leaders. And each will include concrete ways via which we believe Cincinnati can demand better.

You’ll note a special logo that accompanies each story in the Demand Better Cincinnati series. Based on the city’s historic seal, the design offers both an update of and an homage to the principles that drove and inspired our city’s founders. And they just happen to coincide with the themes the series highlights. Thanks to BLDG in Covington for the design, as well as the ideation and design process.

These are stories we hope shape conversations that reach far beyond computer screens. Stories that embed themselves in offices and other workspaces and become topics of discussion in classrooms and even civic forums.

Why demand better? Because we can. And because we must.