Just like the crowd at MOTR Pub, the youth vote was a key part of an extraordinary alliance that propelled Mr Obama to the presidency. If he is to win in 2012, he needs to excite them enough to get them to vote again. Read the full story here.
Tata Consultancy Services’ new American facility in Milford, Ohio, is a stark contrast to their colonial-era headquarters overlooking sweltering cricket pitches in Mumbai. Read the full story here.
Next July, when 20,000 participants from 70 countries descend on the city for the seventh annual World Choir Games, Lajuana Miller will be ready. As director of volunteer services, Miller will manage more than 3,000 volunteers during the 10-day event, which is estimated to have an economic impact of more than $73 million. Soapbox’s Evan Wallis talked with her about how it feels to manage a group of volunteers almost the size of her hometown.
University of Cincinnati’s (UC) Micro and Nano Manufacturing Laboratory Director, Murali Sundaram, is exploring the possibility of creating a cost-effective nano manufacturing facility Read the full story here.
After eight weeks of workshops and lessons from professionals, 11 entrepreneurs gave five-minutes pitches about their businesses—some starting from scratch, others refining and perfecting. The second graduating class of ArtWorks’ Springboard program featured art studios, food delivery and music workshops. Once again, the eight-week course gave entrepreneurial hopefuls from many different phases of life chances to gain insights on their ideas and the know-how to write sound business plans. De Stewart, owner of Colonel De Gourmet Herbs & Spices at Findlay Market, gave a keynote at the event. He urged SpringBoarders to hold onto their dreams and told them that passionate breeds possibility. After their presentations, every presenter thanked SpringBoard. One presenter, Caitlin Behle, started SpringBoard without a clear direction. Eight weeks later, Behle plans on launching the Cincinnati Music Initiative next year, which will host workshops for musicians to talk about the industry, as well as develop a website that gives venues, bands and fans a place to find out everything about Cincinnati music. She also has a full five-year plan in the works. Matt Anthony of Losantiville Collective, an artist workshop on Main Street, already has a growing clientele and group of artists who rent space and share tools in his studio-salesroom hybrid. With SpringBoard, though, Anthony wants keep more artists in Cincinnati by being able to purchase more tools and more space for the handcrafting details that Losantiville promotes. With the second class now graduated, SpringBoard has launched 30 entrepreneurs into the world with more business expertise and the confidence to run a successful business. With the third class already in session and the fourth planned for 2012, Sarah Corlett, SpringBoard coordinator, needs more experts to help enhance the collaborative learning experience. Also in the works is more space for SpringBoard classes. ArtWorks plans to create a workshop space in the place the current Secret ArtWorks gallery. With more room and the ability to hold more classes, SpringBoard can help and inspire a new generation of creative entrepreneurs looking to build their businesses, and their futures, in Cincinnati. By Evan Wallis
As a human relations organization, Bridges for a Just Community cultivates programs for kids, young adults and the community at large to encourage diversity, inclusion and a fair and equitable environment. Serving the community for more than 60 years, Bridges has grown from an organization with mainly an interfaith agenda to one that champions equal rights and inclusion, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, physical / mental abilities or economic status. Creating awareness, building skills and fostering opportunity for a fair and equitable community goes hand in hand with the organization’s ability to respond to changes in society. As more reports surface concerning the devastating, and sometimes fatal, effects of bullying, Bridges has taken an active role in spreading awareness, compassion and tolerance of those who are different. The organization takes the issue seriously, working with the community to educate the public about the effects of bullying and to create a platform for positive change. Their annual fundraiser, Walk for a Just Community, highlighted the critical issue that bullying has become. Working closely with his family, the walk was dedicated to Sam Denham, a Covington teen who took his own life after being bullied by peers. “It is important to build a ‘human’ relationship with those who are different than you,” says Bridges President & CEO Lynette M. Heard. “In order to create a community that is different, we need to start looking at people differently.” Programs such as Equity Leadership, JUST Community, Village Schools, ONE Community and more “teach children to be respectful and respected,” says Heard. “These programs encourage youth to understand what it means to build a human, authentic relationship with someone who is different.” Through their work with the Denham family, civic leaders and the community at large, Bridges has become a prominent voice advocating for those who are victims of bullying. There are lots of ways to become involved with Bridges for Just Community. Bridge Builders actively recruits volunteers to spread the Bridges' mission by teaching volunteers to assist with established programs and training. JUST Community works with ninth through twelfth graders to help them learn how to transform their environments, while ONE Community works with a particular school to provide more help in areas like inclusion and equity. “Bridges gives everyone a place at the table,” says Heard. Do Good: • Volunteer: Become a Bridge Builder to help further the Bridges mission. • Get the scoop: Sign up to receive Bridges' e-newsletter for the latest opportunities and events. • Donate: to the many programs offered by Bridges for a Just Community. • Get educated: by learning all you can or watching videos like these. By Deidra Wiley Necco
In the ever-expanding universe of grassroots organizations, nothing is more hardcore "grassroots" that a non-profit that specializes in the environment, You know... grass and roots. In Cincinnati, we have Imago, an environmental education organization that is committed to teaching Cincinnatians how to live sustainably in an urban environment. Since 1978, Imago's goal has been to excite residents about the benefits of sustainable living and inform the community of the people and resources available to help them. "Our goal is to answer the question 'How do we live in the city sustainably,'" says Chris Clements, executive director of Imago. "And there are a lot of different audiences located in urban neighborhoods." Clements says Imago holds information seminars for all ages, from children as young as 5 to the retired, each class catered to the audience. "With kids, you're talking about getting them outside and getting them to love nature," he says. For adult environmentalists, the focus is on creating spaces to share ideas on the nuts and bolts of sustainable living, whether it means going directly to group or hosting seminars for people to gather, which at times can be challenging. "[The environmental] community in Cincinnati is small, but passionate, and it's nice for people in that community to find other like-minded people," says Clements. According to Clements, many people have environmentalist tendencies, but don't want to be preached at or converted. They just want the facts that come from seminars that Imago hosts, such as the 'Ecology on Tap' series. 'Ecology on Tap' is basically a moderated conversation on environmental themes, such as how one can be a more conscious consumer or how to grow edible crops in an urban setting. It's catered for those people that urge to be greener, but aren't sure how to approach the lifestyle. Clements is sure more environmentalist exist in Cincinnati, they just don't know where to turn for guidance when they don't know where to start. "Sometimes people just need questions answered, like where they can go to compost," he says. "I think the word is out. Being green is part of the future." Do Good: Attend: the 'Ecology on Tap' seminars for more info on how to live sustainably and ecologically friendly. the next session takes place on November 16th. Donate: your time or money to keep the organization running. Connect: with Imago on Facebook and Twitter By Ryan McLendon
In ancient times entire cities were built around the places farmers chose to meet and sell their food. So it’s no surprise that farmers’ markets have become an increasingly popular tool for today’s communities seeking to revitalize their business districts. But a papyrus poster or rock carving does not do the trick anymore when it comes to getting the word out about these markets. Today it takes a little more effort - and digital savvy - to draw crowds in for fresh, local food This summer the City of Harrison, Oh launched a marketing campaign that utilized social networking and live entertainment, as well as traditional media, to promote its farmers’ market’s second season. The effort won the city a statewide marketing award from the Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA) last month. "A lot of times people underestimate social media and how effective it can be,” Harrison’s development director Jennifer Ekey says. “But we were thrilled with the turnout this year.” The marketing team posted weekly Facebook updates to keep customers abreast of seasonal produce availability, and featured a different vendor each week in a digital newsletter called the “Market Minute.” The newsletter included recipes those vendors recommended for their products. The digital media generated a buzz not just about the products, but the people that grew or raised them. Ekey says that farmers’ markets are centered around relationships, and customers in Harrison would return to see specific vendors, talk with them and buy their produce. Harrison launched its farmers’ market last year as part of an effort to invigorate its downtown business district, and as a community-building exercise, Ekey says. Despite some requests from vendors to move to a cooler area in a grass field at a nearby community center, they chose to stay downtown and move vendors into the shade. "If you look at other communities, when they implement farmers' markets and when they do it in their downtown business district those markets have been very successful and very longstanding," Ekey says. Ekey says local businesses extended their operating hours during the event, which ran from 4 to 7 p.m on Thursdays, to keep up with the increased foot traffic. Ekey says that Harrison has been able to grow their economy and population in the last three years despite the economic downturn. She says efforts like the farmers’ market have helped to make that possible. This is the second time the city of 10,000 has won the OEDA “Excellence in Economic Development Marketing Award” since Ekey became the city’s first development director three years ago. Harrison won the award two years ago for a logo and branding re-design. By Henry Sweets
Small groups of teens huddled together, talking about companies they admire. Apple, Google, Facebook top the lists. They spend the rest of the evening listing what makes good companies great, and what makes non-profits successful. The 60 youth come from high schools throughout the region. Together, they represent the latest class of UCREW: Cincinnati. Formed as a school-year based student advisory board, UCREW is an outgrowth of the non-profit UGIVE.org, which gives students and young people opportunities to learn and grow through volunteering. Now in its fourth year, UCREW will create an awareness building event called AMPLIFY and, for the first time ever, launch a social business. A the second group session of the six-month program, UCREW teens brainstormed about business ideas and causes they would love to support. From healthy living to employment training, their wide-ranging social concerns give a hint as to their awareness of the needs around them. Business ventures ranged from online services to a series of fitness classes for teens that could raise funds to support similar classes for inner-city youth. “I’d never heard of social entrepreneurship before,” says Grace Kennedy, 17, a senior at Lakota East High School. “(UCREW) really made me interested in business, which I have never been before.” In addition to planning a social business, UCREW teens take part in volunteer efforts as a group. They participate in planning and mentoring sessions, all geared to prepare them to become long-term philanthropists as well as well-rounded citizens. An added benefit? Since teens come from a wide range of high schools, UCREW offers like-minded peers opportunities to build not only a business, but also cross-town friendships. Do Good: • Join UGIVE. Whether you are a parent, a non-profit, a part of a school community or student, you can find ways to connect. • Keep UGIVE free for non-profits and schools. Every donation to the non-profit helps. • Learn more about UCREW. Though launched in Cincinnati, UCREW now operates in eight Ohio cities. Find out how you can help support the effort and spread the word. By Elissa Yancey Follow Elissa on Twitter.
Whether she’s on stage singing with The Hiders, playing a princess at Ensemble Theatre or mixing it up on a Gruesome Playground at the Know, Beth Harris knows how to make a scene. Next year, the multi-talented singer/actress and partner Dave Mikkelsen plan on creating a brand new one in Northside. After years of blending their artistic lives with more beverage-friendly endeavors—the two met when bartending at The Comet—the pair is ready to launch their own business. The Listing Loon, a comfy craft beer and wine shop that will evolve into a “rock ‘n roll wine bar,” is set to open on Hamilton Avenue by Valentine’s Day. Located in a prime corner spot soon to be vacated by Feldenkrais Within (which will be expanding and moving into the former Chas. A. Miller Sons Funeral Home), The Listing Loon will fill a void in the neighborhood where bars and beers are plentiful but finding a good wine selection remains a challenge. “Northside is growing so much,” says Harris, who cites the American Can Lofts as a prime example of the area’s expanding customer base. “We’re walking distance to our target market.” She hopes to carry between 50 and 100 types of craft beers and about 60 wines, ranging from under $10 to upwards of $70 per bottle. “Our vision is to have a comfortable beer and wine boutique where people can come and hang out,” says Harris. “We’ll have The New York Times for sale.” The Little Rock, Arkansas, native landed in Cincinnati for an acting gig in 1997 and hasn’t left since. While her band, The Hiders, continues work on a new CD, she keeps busy with acting jobs and a stint behind the counter at Sidewinder Coffee and Teas. Harris’ craft beer obsession started when she lived in Portland, Oregon. She found a kindred spirit in Mikkelsen. “We’re both extremely passionate about beer,” she says. As the duo finalizes financing and continues honing the new boutique’s menu, they went through “months of bar napkins” before deciding on a name. Mikkelsen, an artist/sculptor/painter who currently tends bar at May Day, lobbied for the loon, his favorite bird. Adding “listing” as an adjective made alliterative sense, and added a hint of the playfulness of its owners. “We didn’t want to call it The Drunken Bird,” Harris says with a laugh. For more information about The Listing Loon, contact Harris. By Elissa Yancey Follow Elissa on Twitter Photo of Beth Harris by Elissa Yancey
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