In the startup community, Bill Cunningham is known as a man of action. The founder of five startups has spent the past 20 years as an advocate, teacher and mentor to budding entrepreneurs. Soapbox asked next generation startup leader, Elizabeth Edwards, to talk with Cunningham about his past and offer advice for future entrepreneurs.
Mark Kohan knows how to bring people together. Though still a doctoral student in educational studies at the University of Cincinnati, Kohan has spent the last year planning a regional effort to inspire social justice in classrooms, schools and communities.Earlier this month, his work to unite universities and community organizations around those efforts culminated with a visit from the nationally known Freedom Writers, led by teacher Erin Gruwell of California. Gruwell's work in and out of the classroom became the basis for the 2007 film "Freedom Writers," starring Hilary Swank. Gruwell, a high-school English teacher, became known for her work with inner-city youth - groups of students who had been at best underestimated and at worst written off completely. Gruwell's efforts to expose her students to stories of empowerment and individual responsibility led to the formation of the foundation that now provides support to teachers and students around the country. Kohan pulled together a broad coalition to support the Freedom Writers visit during the 50th anniversary year of the Freedom Riders as a way to build momentum for Teaching Hope, an initiative that will launch in Cincinnati schools next fall."The goal of Teaching Hope is to call attention to how schools can be involved in making social justice a priority for the health and well-being of our region," according to Kohan, who served as coordinator for the Cincinnati Freedom Writers Project.He crossed institutional boundaries by partnering with Xavier and Miami universities, brought in non-profit support with the Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Women Writing for (a) Change and the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County. From visits to schools and with teachers throughout the day to a sold-out session with educational leaders and fans at the Freedom Center, six events throughout the day drew more than 700 enthusiastic educators and supporters. The Cincinnati Freedom Writers Project capitalized on the passion of educators and leaders to work toward social justice in and out of the classroom. Do Good:• Learn about the partners. From Women Writing for (a) Change to the shttp://cincinnatilibrary.org, you can find countless opportunities to get involved with social justice education.• Join the movement. Sign up to receive newsletters and other updates from the national Freedom Writers Foundation.• See how you can help Teach Hope. Email Mark Kohan at UC for more information. By Elissa Yancey Photo courtesy of Cincinnati Freedom Writers
In a ceremony attended by local government officials, business associates and employees, AMP Electric Vehicles turned over the keys to the first of 1,000 all electric SUVs it will deliver to Iceland as part of a ground breaking partnership.AMP signed a deal last fall with Northern Electric Lights, a private company in Iceland. Under a letter of Intent, NLE has committed to buy the SUVs from AMP over the next five years. This marks the largest single order for the startup, and the first time the company has converted vehicles for an overseas buyer."Northern Lights Energy has been a visionary in the application and advantages of electric driven SUVs. We are extremely pleased to be working closely with NLE in the first large scale deployment of electric SUVs. This agreement represents a major advancement in transportation from conventional combustion engines and hybrid/extended range vehicles into effective SUV-sized 100 percent electric vehicles," said AMP president and CEO Steve Burns.One in four vehicle purchases in the US are SUVs. The company is working to capture less than 1 percent of the SUV market. Currently AMP specializes in converting three vehicles to 100-percent electric: the Chevrolet Equinox, Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice. AMP manufactures and installs state-of-the-art, all-electric, high performance engines and transmissions for the vehicles.Burns said Iceland is the perfect place to experiment with introducing a large number of all electric SUVs into the market (the country only has 200,000 drivers). SUVs are very popular in the Northern European Island, which has some rugged terrain. Gas is expensive, up to $8 U.S. per gallon, because it's all imported. Electricity is cheap and in the last few decades the government has made it a priority to develop the country's renewable hydropower and geothermal power sources.In addition most of the country's densely packed population lives in or near the capital, making the average commute about 30 miles.The potentially $100 million deal will set AMP as a leading SUV supplier, AMP CEO James Taylor said. The agreement allows for expansion into the Nordic region including Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the Faroe Islands. Initially AMP will supply the Chevy Equinox and Mercedes Benz ML EV.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: AMP Electric VehiclesFollow Feoshia on Twitter @feoshiawrites
Much has changed in the past five years at the corner of 12th and Vine in Over-the-Rhine. A once troubled intersection has become ground zero of an urban renaissance, spearheaded by millions of dollars in reinvestment and neighborhood restoration. What better way to celebrate this rebirth than the 5th annual GoOTR 5K and Summer Celebration this Saturday.
Whether you want to learn more about the river that serves as the city's iconic postcard image or play a game of poker as you paddle from one stop to another along the Ohio, this year's 10th annual Paddlefest is a reminder of the city's past, present and future."It's our chance to celebrate the Ohio River," says organizer Brewster Rhoads of Ohio River Way, a volunteer-led nonprofit with a mission to promote and protect the waterway that first put Cincinnati on the map.With prior year's attendance at more than 2,000, Rhoads hopes to draw 3,000 paddlers to the river this June 23 through 25. Revelers can spend the weekend learning and sailing through entertainment options, but Sunday it's all about getting more than your feet wet. From an 8.2-mile float trip to the more competitive 11-mile amateur race or the even more competitive 14-mile pro race, Paddlefest accommodates all skill and interest levels, Rhoads says.The trip down the river, starting from Coney Island and finishing at Yeatman's Cove downtown, is just one part of the three-day festival. Thursday, June 23, the festival kicks off with the Kids Outdoor Adventure Expo, which has morning and afternoon education sessions. Thousands of children learn about water safety. They practice putting on and taking off life jackets, learn how to get in and out of a canoe or boat safely. Special displays and guest speakers also help provide an up-close look at the work that happens on the Ohio. This year, young guests can get a rare glimpse into river life when they tour an authentic towboat and learn how and why it operates. Crew members will show students what jobs exist on towboats as well as discuss other river-related professions. Do Good:• Register for a chance to paddle. You can find more information and even reserve your spot online.• Do your part Make an online donation to support the work of Ohio River Way.• Prep for the big swim. Get information about the July 23 event, which is a USA Triathlon-sanctioned race. By Elissa YanceyPhoto courtesy Ohio River Way
Cincinnati's consumer marketing incubator hasn't yet reached it first birthday but already has been named a Top 10 program in a prestigious national study.The Brandery, which launched in July 2010, was listed 10th out of the top 15 U.S. startup accelerators in a joint study by the Kauffman Fellows, Tech Cocktail and the Kellogg School of Management.The Brandery launched this past summer to offer funding, mentoring and partnerships around local consumer marketing businesses. The incubator works with tech-based, consumer businesses including Internet, media and entertainment companies. The first class started late last fall, and currently the organization is taking applications for the next class set to start this summer. The application deadline is June 1."We're excited that The Brandery landed in the top 10, despite being less than a year old. With the momentum going into our sophomore class in 2011, we think we'll be able to crack the top 5 next year," Knox said in a blog post about the announcement. Knox said he didn't know The Brandery was in the running, but the study validates the organization's work. "It was actually a complete surprise to us, it came from nowhere," he said.At the top of the list was TechStars in Boulder, Colorado, followed by Y Combinator in Mountain View, Calif. The Brandery was one of four Midwestern incubators on the list, and ranked ahead of organizations in New York City, Salt Lake City and Austin.The study is the first of its type, designed to distinguish the most effective incubators across the country. The rankings were based on several weighted criteria, including percentage of participating companies receiving funding after completing a program, and the success of companies following graduation. The methodology was complimented by interviews with venture capitalists, investors and accelerator participants to gauge the accelerators reputation."With all the startup accelerator programs popping up across the country we were curious to find out which programs would offer the biggest bang for the time, money and effort spent in the program," explained the study announcement at Tech Cocktail.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSources: Dave Knox, founder of The Brandery and Tech CocktailYou can follow Feoshia on Twitter @feoshiawrites
The BrandZ top 100 Most Valuable Global consumer-facing brands rank General Electric, parent company of GE Aviation in Evendale at number ten and Procter & Gamble's Gillette and Pampers rank in the top 40. Read the full story here.
CincyDance! targets third-graders in city schools where students may have no other exposure to ballet, and uses the language of dance to build confidence and bridge communication barriers.
When David Putman started school at Bond Hill Elementary, he never saw himself as a freshman at one of the region's top high schools. But after three years in Cincinnati's Boys Hope Girls Hope residential program, Putman has transformed himself into just that. No longer a shy and tentative boy surrounded by drama and distraction, Putman carries himself with confidence. He shakes hands firmly, makes eye contact directly and smiles spontaneously. He ends sentences with "ma'am" or "sir." And he's maintaining a B-average at St. Xavier High School "I've opened up to a lot of new things," says Putman, 15. With his landlord as his mentor, Putman reluctantly left his mother and four sisters to live with four other young "scholars," as residents are called in the Boys Hope Girls Hope vernacular, and attend first St. Vivian's School, and now St. X.Like the other youth in the residential program, Putman talks with his family throughout the week, and spends every other weekend back in Bond Hill at home. He talks to his father, who lives with Putman's grandmother. In his home away from home, Putman keeps to a challenging daily schedule that includes time for school, homework, chores and meals. It leaves little time for boredom. "It brings us closer together," he says of his time spent in the house.Putman stresses that every young person involved in Boys Hope Girls Hope, whether in residential or community-based programs, comes for a different reason. The voluntary program relies on support and cooperation from parents and other family members at home, whose involvement can make or break a student's success.Opened in Cincinnati in 1983, Boys Hope Girls Hope provides youth who live in challenging settings with stable homes in residential neighborhoods. They take field trips, participate in community service projects and find structure and support. Current scholars attend St. X, Roger Bacon, Purcell Marian and St. Ursula high schools as well as a host of elementary schools. Since 1991, every program graduate has gone to college with a scholarship in hand. Right now, 13 BHGH scholars are in college with an average GPA of 3.1. Twelve scholars from both residential and community-based programs.Do Good:• Point and click. You can donate items placed on BHGH's Amazon.com's wish list.• Share your skills. Volunteer as a tutor, a mentor or administrative helper.• Give a gift. Donate online via Paypal, have your employer match your gift or make an in-kind contribution.By Elissa YanceyPhoto courtesy Boys Hope Girls Hope Cincinnati
Keep Cincinnati Beautiful's Future Blooms Program won the Ohio Non-profit Excellence Award for the Southern Region. KCB has beautified nearly 300 buildings in Cincinnati neighborhoods, resulting in a reduction in crime, blight, and street litter.Read the full story here.
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