Game Day 8/21/24 Game Day 8/21/24

Warm Welcome

This week, Visit Cincy welcomed the newest graduates of the Dan Lincoln Institute for Hospitality Leadership through a partnership with LADD.

Cincinnati’s hospitality industry just got a little bit more friendly!

This week, Visit Cincy held a celebration at Living Arrangements for the Developmentally Disabled (LADD) for the most five recent graduates of the Dan Lincoln Institute for Hospitality Leadership (IHL).

The new grads participated in a 12-week program designed to prepare students for work in the Cincinnati region’s hospitality industry, including certification in the Cincy USA Tourism Ambassador Program. The IHL is an initiative to increase skilled and diverse talent in the hospitality sector. Though typically conducted in schools, this was the first partnership with LADD.

LADD provides and develop support services that help people develop their independence and live successfully in the community. Currently, LADD offers services to nearly 750 people through the supports it offers.

Game Day 8/15/24 Game Day 8/15/24

Good Call

The Bell Charitable Foundation announces grants of nearly $300,000 to non-profits.

The Bell Charitable Foundation just announced its latest grants, giving nearly $300,000 to 14 organizations.

This round of grants is focused on organizations driving Technology and Health & Wellbeing initiatives. The BCF also supports organizations driving Economic & Social Mobility and Environmental Sustainability initiatives.

Founded in 2022, altafiber launched The Bell Charitable Foundation to offer opportunities for nonprofit organizations to expand their programs and operations beyond what was previously possible in areas where altafiber and Hawaiian Telcom provide service.

Health and Wellbeing Pillar

Therapeutic Riding Institute

TRI provides therapeutic riding lesson programs for individuals with physical, cognitive, social, emotional and/or behavioral disabilities. TRI’s mission is to enhance lives by providing high quality and accredited equine assisted services in a safe, fun, and compassionate environment. We are proud to be the Dayton region's only Premier Accredited Center of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Int’l), and your support enables us to keep lessons affordable and accessible to families with significant medical challenges. TRI’s students depend on us for a fun and fulfilling recreational experience, as well as the many physical, mental, emotional, and cognitive benefits of therapeutic riding. Our program and facilities are designed for students who need support and instruction that isn’t offered at traditional horseback riding centers. Our highly-credentialed Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors (CTRIs), specially-trained horses, and over 250 volunteers enable a safe and enriching experience for students. Despite growing research that supports the benefits of equine assisted services, access to horses is rarely afforded by those who are living below the line of poverty, including disparaged communities in the Dayton region. Furthermore, unlike a traditional riding lesson program, our CTRIs, specially trained therapy horses, and team of lesson volunteers ensure that those with disabilities have a safe and effective program to help them reach their potential and have an enriching and fulfilling experience. According to PATH Int’l, “Because horseback riding rhythmically moves the rider’s body in a manner similar to a human gait, riders with physical disabilities often show improvement in flexibility, balance and muscle strength...Therapeutic/adaptive horsemanship contributes to the cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of individuals with disabilities.” Therapeutic riding can also be extremely beneficial for kids and teens with intellectual disabilities for social interaction and empathetic connection with the horses.

First Responder’s Bridge

The Bridge focuses on smashing the stigma and preventing suicide by providing confidential, expense free, three-day retreats for first responders and their significant other struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal ideation resulting from the things they see and hear on the job. It's a tragic fact that in the United States, more first responders are dying by suicide than line of duty deaths. The Bridge offers four annual retreats serving 1400 people, an annual follow up retreat for all past attendees, and six free post-retreat counseling sessions. The Bridge pays for all lodging, meals, and programming. For 72-hours, attendees work closely with some of the nation's top peer support presenters and culturally competent clinicians to receive information on trauma recovery treatment options, resources, and services. Attendees also attend clinician led breakout sessions where they begin to build a support network. The Bridge retreats fill up mostly by word of mouth and we currently have a five-month waiting list. To date, the Bridge has served more than 14-hundred first responders from 38 states. The First Responders' Bridge is saving the lives of those who save lives.

Adult Friends for Youth

Adult Friends for Youth’s Re-directional Therapy Counseling Program creates safer schools and communities in Oahu, Hawaii for all residents. AFY provides Re-directional Therapy counseling services to the highest-risk youth who engage in violent and destructive behaviors and are at risk for academic failure and gang involvement. Group and individual counseling services are provided on school campuses during school time in partnership with the State of Hawaii Department of Education, as well as in the community during out-of-school time. Youth come from low-income and historically marginalized communities that are ripe with violence, drugs, and criminal activity. As long-term behavioral change takes time, AFY works with youth for an average of 3-4 years. Over that period, counseling activities (i.e., discussions, role plays, experiential learning opportunities) help to transform target youths' behaviors from destructive to constructive and provide them with tools and skills that help them to succeed in mainstream society. Through changing the mindset and behavior of the most violent youth on Oahu, AFY helps bring peace into all communities. We have worked with over 90 gangs and over 2,000 gang members. Of those 90 gangs, 70 have dissolved or are no longer recruiting.

Your Store of the Queen City

Your Store of the Queen City was founded by neighbors when Cincinnati's neighborhood of Lower Price Hill became a food desert in 2017. From there, neighbors leveraged their planning to open Meiser's Fresh Grocery & Deli, which engages in workforce development to create jobs and train neighbors through operating the food social enterprise and deli that offer with subsidized prices and nutrition discount programs to provide affordable fresh food shopping alongside several free entrepreneurship, emergency hunger relief and nutrition education programs. The free community wellbeing programs also include Lower Price Hill Farmers & Makers Market, which, combined provide daily access to free groceries and meals, free hot food for unhoused neighbors, free household items, free frozen pan meals and pints of soup, and unlimited free produce. Meiser's is proud to be the only emergency food location open in Cincinnati with hot meals and groceries 6-days per week available to shoppers from anywhere in the Greater Cincinnati area. At the end of 2023 there were 1,618 neighbors signed up for Meiser's Green Giveaways Program, TRIPLE the 500 members the year before. $481,619 were saved in shopper discounts, free meals, and reduced travel in 2023 amounting to 142,138 servings of produce distributed through sales, Produce Perks, and giveaways; exponentially increased from the 38,254 servings distributed in 2022. The model of Meiser's is now being shared on not just a local and regional level, but has seen an international platform through presentations designed with our research partners to help communities envision a sustainable future where communities receive economic and career opportunities to build programs where good food reaches the people who need it most, improving health outcomes, instead of being wasted and contributing to climate change.

1N5

1N5's mission is to prevent suicide by erasing the stigma of mental illness and promoting optimal mental wellness. If awarded, this funding would be used in schools K-12 with a focus on schools with marginalized student populations. 1N5's school program, Building Resilience in Youth (BRiY), is designed to meet the needs of the youth mental health crisis and build safeguards around students in need. These safeguards reduce or erase the stigmas that surround mental illness, normalize conversations surrounding it, and help drive those in need toward services much sooner, resulting in better outcomes. It's a multi-faceted approach to mental health education and suicide prevention that involves students, teachers, school staff, and parents/caregivers. We create customized solutions using evidence-based programs for each school's unique mental health needs. By 2031 provide mental health resources to all Greater Cincinnati high schools. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth, and 20% of youth ages 13-18 are living with a mental health condition. Fifty percent of mental illness originates before the age of 14, and 75% appears before the age of 24. More than 37 percent of students with a mental health condition age 14 and older drop out of school--the highest dropout rate of any disability group. The average length of time for a person living with a mental health condition is 8-10 years before they start receiving treatment.

Joseph House

Joseph House offers a holistic inpatient and outpatient program for veterans struggling with substance abuse. The program includes individual and group therapy, relapse prevention techniques, life skills development, and peer support. They are scheduled to move into their new site in Camp Washington as part of an intentional effort to transform the way Joseph House engages with its veteran clients into one that is more home-like, individualized, and healthier. Funds are needed to add additional hours of therapy and clinical supervision to ensure residents can take advantage of the new site and rebuild healthy lives for them and their families. Joseph House is the only veteran-led behavioral health organization in our region. Over the past two decades, veterans and military families have been exposed to the stress of multiple deployments, combat exposure and a variety of visible and not-so-visible injuries. Through the work of Joseph House and other veteran-serving groups, military and veteran families are better equipped to support our veterans to maintain healthy and sober lives. We strive to include all who have served, regardless of background, ability, or gender. New therapeutic services and clinical supervision are needed as treatment for the new clients may require gender specific needs regarding sexual harassment and military sexual trauma. This request will provide an additional .5 FTE and leverage the diverse experience of Joseph House's clinical staff to identify these specific needs and coordinate with the local VAMC and partner agencies to address these needs as part of their co-occurring diagnosis and treatment needs. Grant funds will be used to strengthen our therapeutic program to take full advantage of the new site. With the expansion provided by our new facility's four distinct wings and private rooms, Joseph House will be able to offer safe and supportive services specifically tailored to female veterans for the first time.

Cincinnati Cancer Advisors

The Cincinnati Cancer Advisors (CCA) is a consultative oncology practice that provides second opinions, genetic counseling, and financial navigation services to more than 400 Cincinnati cancer patients each year. The days following a cancer diagnosis can stir feelings of uncertainty, urgency, and apprehension. To aid, CCA provides a free second opinion for those needing cancer care, so that they walk away with a thorough understanding of their diagnosis and confidence in their plan of care. CCA does not charge patients, private insurance companies or Medicare/Medicaid for the services it provides. A comprehensive case review, physical examination and written second opinion (after consulting with other oncology experts around the U.S. and globally) is provided free of charge to cancer patients. CCA ensures that anyone who needs a second opinion can access an independent, objective opinion of the highest quality.

Technology pillar:

Found Village

Young people involved with the child welfare system experience a technology access gap in multiple forms. To ensure young people's safety, the system often prevents those ages 12 to 17 who live in protective custody from accessing personal devices with cellular data or utilizing standard social media outlets. This lack of access prevents young people from developing safe online habits, restricts their access to information about post-secondary opportunities, and keeps them from developing digital literacy as a skill for the 21st century marketplace. Found Village's work creates the right conditions for young people to thrive. While the organization has created safe in-person environments for growth since 2018, the Found Village team has recently learned from young people that they do not have access to safe digital spaces and want more connection to our community. The proposed suite of digital resources will ensure that young people involved with child welfare have safe access to online opportunities which prepare them to thrive in adulthood. To promote digital equity for young people involved with child welfare in Hamilton County, Ohio, Found Village will implement a suite of digital resources including a safe social media platform, device library, and a digital education series beginning in April 2024. The Bell Charitable Foundation grant will support ongoing content development for the Found Village Online social media platform during its first year of operation, connecting 80 young people to a digital community where they can readily communicate with safe adult coaches, learn about upcoming community events, and develop digital literacy for life.

Partnership for Innovation in Education

This immersive workforce and in-classroom learning program will develop the first-ever Formula 1 Electric Vehicle (EV) Youth Lab reaching 500 Cincinnati Public School Students at the Aiken New Tech HS Engineering Lab with scalability to all SW Ohio School Districts. In-classroom skills credentialing will prepare students for Electric Vehicle Automotive Technician, Electric Battery Charging Station Operator & Adv. Manuf. Operator occupations. Students will build a Formula 1 Electric Engine prototype with the Ohio State University (OSU) Automotive & University of Cincinnati (UC) Smart Mobility Engineering Teams piloting the Electric Vehicle (EV) Immersive Design & Sustainability Tool Kit with PIE, DriveOhio, Honda, OH Manufacturer's Association & The PAST Foundation. This responds to an urgent call by OH Governor DeWine asking for an increased focus on emerging, in-demand careers for OH K-12 students. These efforts to build “hands on” programming increases the number of diverse students proficient in emerging career pathway skills providing high paying jobs. Having been coined the “Silicon Heartland,” Ohio is becoming a magnet for EV innovation, product development and manufacturing growth, with massive expansions and new advanced manufacturing sites. OWT forecasts 25K jobs will be available for Ohio's workforce requiring unique skill set credentialing to support EV development spanning aerospace, manufacturing, automotive & advanced mobility. Ohio is facing a critical shortage of skilled trade’s workers, due to an aging workforce & limited awareness in all trades. According to the National Electrical Contractors Association, 7K new electricians join the industry each year, but 10K retire from it. This scalable program allows underserved students to become prequalified for in-demand & high paying EV jobs. The Formula 1 program at Aiken New Tech HS will commence in Fall 2024, after supplies, training and curriculum have been obtained. Inside the Engineering Lab, students will experience OH-EV skills credentialing and qualify for in-demand Electric Vehicle, Advanced Manufacturing & EV Battery, Design and Sustainability jobs.

PCs for People Ohio

In partnership with the Avondale Development Corporation and Uptown Consortium, PCs for People proposes to offer a series of six basic computer skills workshops, targeted to primarily older adult residents of the Avondale neighborhood (approximately 18 participants per workshop, for a total of 108 residents served). Workshop participants would have the opportunity to take home the laptop computer that they use during the workshop, allowing them to build on the foundations of digital literacy developed during the training to continue advancing their skills. The digital inclusion study conducted in Avondale in 2022 found that 16% of Avondale residents did not have access to a personal computer (compared to 11% in Cincinnati overall). According to the study, "Avondale residents highly value digital access. They specifically cited the importance of digital access for: employment opportunities, entertainment and social connections, financial transactions, social services, health information, medical support, and virtual learning." The study also identified older adults as a group facing particular barriers to developing digital skills, noting that "additional resources and supports" are needed. Through this program, both the need for and community interest in ongoing digital skills training was evident, but what was lacking was a way for residents to learn and continue developing digital skills on a personal computer. In this project, ADC will host and publicize the workshops building on the success of the previous project, and PCs for People staff will present the workshops on basic computer skills topics, while providing participants with low incomes with a personal computer to keep, at no cost, at the conclusion of the workshop. PCs for People provides remote tech support and a one year warranty with every device. In partnership with the Avondale Development Corporation, PCs for People will conduct six basic computer skills workshops at the Avondale Business Center. Each workshop will reach an estimated 18 residents, for a total of 108 residents served.

Assistive Technology Resource Centers of HI

Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii (ATRC) will use the funding to expand and develop its access to technology, assistive technology (AT) equipment, and services for children and youth with disabilities statewide, especially those who live in the underserved areas to enable people to live healthy, productive, independent, dignified lives and fully participate in school, work, and the community that aligns with the agency's mission to link individuals with disabilities of all ages with technology and AT regardless of their financial and social standing to enhance their quality of life. As the Federal and State designated Tech Act program, for nearly 30 years, our organization has been the sole leader in promoting technology and AT through our services and programs. Our primary role is as a resource center to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities of all ages, including those who have paralysis with a severe condition such as Cerebral Palsy, Spinal Cord Injury, and Trauma Brain injury. Having a disability is very challenging and shouldn't mean being excluded. ATRC staff is well aware that children with disabilities often find themselves isolated and lonely, and technology with internet /broadband has played a crucial role in improving access to education for children/youth with disabilities. Camp Cool - Cyber Edition provides educational opportunities and access to technology in an interactive and engaging learning environment for children and youth with disabilities, including those with paralysis, regardless of their financial situation and social standing, so they can live more independently, improve their mental, physical and emotional health as well as have better quality of life. Camp Cool was developed in 2007 to promote and improve access to technology and AT devices for children with disabilities statewide through education, facilitate communication and socialization, and hands-on experience with different technology and AT equipment. The program also allows volunteers and students studying special education and occupational therapy to apply their knowledge and skills into practice.

Per Scholas

Funding will support IT training, professional development instruction, and connecting employment opportunities to learners, and two years of support after program completion. Per Scholas prepares learners with skills in-demand in the job market and expands access to technology by teaching technology skills and professional development, tailored to business needs, to highly motivated learners. Current courses offer certifications in highly desirable skills, including IT Support, Network Infrastructure, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, and AWS. Per Scholas is committed to building a more diverse technical workforce by creating educational onramps for groups staggeringly underrepresented in the tech sector, including women, people of color, young adults, and veterans. Per Scholas has enrolled nearly 800 individuals in Greater Cincinnati since its 2013 launch. Thirty-three percent of our learners are women and 64% people of color. Based on historical results, we anticipate the following outcomes: - 85% of Per Scholas learners graduate from training - 80% of graduates obtain one or more relevant industry-recognized IT certifications - 80% of graduates gain employment with starting wages averaging about $20 per hour Per Scholas tracks learner data for up to two years post-graduation. We work to assist all learners in securing employment, with 80% of graduates landing jobs within one year, 90% of which are in the technology sector. Per Scholas’ model is one of the only tech workforce development models nationally recognized, whose most recent multi-year MDRC Work Advance study concluded that for every $1 spent on Per Scholas training, $8 is returned to the local economy. With the Bell Charitable Foundation's support, Per Scholas Greater Cincinnati will enroll more than 185 learners during the grant period. Of enrolled learners, 157 (85%) will graduate, and within a year of graduation, at least 125 (80% of graduates) will attain positions, with average wages of at least $21/hour, or $43,000 annually.

Avondale Development Corporation

Communication is key to growing any community. We will establish a part time position for a “Public WiFi Community Coordinator,” or PWCC, who will coordinate the efforts of stakeholders to use the WiFi engagement platform to improve social determinants of health, education, and economic development in Avondale. The public WiFi being deployed in 9 of The Community Builder owned multi-dwelling complexes and 6 outdoor locations along Reading Road in Avondale will provide free internet service to thousands of residents and visitors. The UniCity software utilized in this system captures information from users including their email addresses and provides a mechanism that stakeholders can use to engage users with email messages. The PWCC will coordinate with stakeholders such as health care providers, the African American Chamber, the Urban League, and others to use the platform to engage and inform WiFi users of programs and events that will improve health care, drive economic development, and present educational opportunities in Avondale. Without a PWCC, public WiFi implementation delivers internet services to those in need, but through better coordination, a PWCC can take the public WiFi to a much higher level of community engagement and improvement, by connecting residents to much needed services and resources.

Hawaii Science and Technology Museum

A museum that brings exhibits directly to the students to inspire and spark an interest in STEM. HSTM serves the Hawaii Island community through our various outreach programs such as Science Camps, math tutoring, after school programs, student research support, robotics competitions, and special events. The KKBCRC provides hands-on activities in the engineering design process, coding, CAD, 3D printing and other fabrication, electronics and physics activities, in a fun and engaging way building long lasting relationships with the students that participate. Robotics center has served 5,534 kids over the last year with nearly 30,000 visitors to date.

Game Day 8/8/24 Game Day 8/8/24

Mind Games

Join the John Lennon Memorabilia Treasure Hunt at Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati to discover more about his music and artistry.

It’s Beatles summer in Cincinnati.

First their was successful run of “Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio” at Cincinnati Opera, and now Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati is part of the John Lennon Memorabilia Treasure Hunt.

The John Lennon Estate and Hard Rock are celebrating incredible artifacts from Lennon’s work that are on display at both Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati and locations around the world. Through the treasure hunt, visitors can learn more about Lennon’s collaborative music-making process, his peace-making ideals, and much more.

Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati
1000 Broadway
casino.hardrock.com/cincinnati

Citizens of Nutopia receive 20% off food and nonalcoholic beverages
Citizens of Nutopia receive 20% off Rock Shop® merchandise

“Preserving music history is what enriches the Hard Rock travel, dining and gaming experience. We are honored to display priceless pieces from John Lennon’s musical and inspirational legacy,” says Giovanni Taliaferro, vice president of memorabilia and design at Hard Rock International. “We have the utmost gratitude to the John Lennon Estate and Universal Music Group for inviting us to participate in this amazing venture. We hope that by learning from Hard Rock’s memorabilia collection, John’s biggest fans can imagine how his artistry and ideals still endure today.”

The treasure hunt is timed with the launch of John and Yoko’s new social website citizenofnutopia.com, a map of the world where fans can sign up, leave peaceful messages, enjoy “Meditation Affirmations” and express their gratitude and admiration for the couple’s core principles of Peace, Love and Truth.

Nutopia is an imaginary country created by John Lennon and Yoko Ono in 1973, promoting the ideas of Peace and Love made famous by John’s songs ‘Imagine’ and ‘Mind Games’.

Citizens of Nutopia can earn points and rewards in the Unity by Hard Rock global loyalty program when they visit participating Hard Rock Cafes, Casinos and Hotels to discover precious John Lennon memorabilia tagged with QR codes that when scanned, provide more stories about the artifacts and points on the website.

Game Day 8/1/24 Game Day 8/1/24

Save the Day

The annual Ohio sales tax holiday includes even more eligible purchases, like meals at Moerlein Lager House and car repairs at Tire Discounters.

That sound you hear is cash register ringing up just a little bit less money, at least through Aug. 8.

The Ohio annual sales tax holiday is currently in effect, with even more purchases eligible this year. During this timeframe, customer pay no sales tax on back-to-school items and other purchases.

Ohio sets aside at least three days each year – including the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in August –for consumers to buy certain items. The sales tax holiday is designed to help people buy clothing, supplies, and items needed for the upcoming school year.

This year, the expansion from a weekend to 10 days offers more chances for even more people to save money while getting ready for school or college.

The sales tax holiday includes “all tangible personal property that is $500 or less” except watercraft or outboard motor and motor vehicles. Sadly for teachers heading back to school, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, vapor products, or items that contains marijuana are not part of the exemption. Food is included in the exemption this year. (If you want to check if something is covered, please refer to the FAQ on the Ohio Department of Taxation website.)

Though cars aren’t part of the tax holiday exemption, some car parts are. At Tire Discounters, you can purchase a set of tires without paying any sales tax.

During this 10-day window, you will also pay zero state and local sales tax on automotive parts including:

Wheels
Oil & Other Fluids
Brakes
Auto Glass
Wiper Blades
Filters
Belts
Hoses

This year, the expanded holiday includes a new category – restaurant meals. Dine-in meals are included in the tax exemption. You can take those new, tax-free tires for a spin to Moerlein Lager House, where you can enjoy tax-free dining (but not alcohol, please see above) during the sales-tax holiday.

Game Day 7/28/24 Game Day 7/28/24

Here We Go

Check out photos from Cincinnati Music Festival!

Fantasia

Photo: Shae Huth

Ne-Yo

Photo: Shae Huth

October London

Photo: Shae Huth

Original Lakeside

Photo: Shae Huth

Stokely

Photo: Shae Huth

KEM

Photo: Shae Huth

Coco Jones

Photo: Shae Huth

En Vogue

Photo: Shae Huth

New Edition

Photo: Shae Huth

Cincinnati was electrified this past weekend as the Cincinnati Music Festival, presented by P&G, brought the city into the national spotlight. With extensive national media coverage, including The Rickey Smiley Morning Show broadcasting live from Fountain Square to over 60 U.S. radio stations, and more than 65 media professionals covering the events, Cincinnati shone brightly. According to Visit Cincy, hotels reached an impressive 87% occupancy rate, maintaining the festival's status as one of the region's largest annual tourism drivers.

“The 2024 Cincinnati Music Festival presented by P&G was an amazing celebration and a tribute to many R&B music legends with more than 84,000 fans this year,” said Joe Santangelo, producer of the festival. “It was great to see so many fans travel to Cincinnati for the weekend to support the local tourism community.”

As one of the largest urban music festivals in the United States, CMF featured unforgettable live performances. MC Lyte ignited the stage on Thursday night at the Andrew J. Brady Music Center, followed by stellar acts like Maxwell, Ne-Yo, Fantasia, New Edition, En Vogue, and more at Paycor Stadium.

"At P&G, supporting events like CMF is one way we bring to life our commitment to being a great corporate citizen. It’s more than a responsibility; it’s an opportunity to make our community more vibrant, more diverse, more connected, and more attractive," said Damon Jones, P&G Chief Communications Officer.

In addition to sponsoring the event, P&G enhanced the festival experience by bringing 14 of its brands to the venue. Attendees enjoyed free product samples, engaging photo moments, surprise giveaways, and live entertainment.

The weekend also featured signature activities such as the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame, Vibe Market Place, CMF Outdoor Museum, Black Men Think Tank, and Festival 513.

The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame celebrated its first anniversary on Saturday, July 26, with the induction of the 2024 Class: Roger Troutman & Zapp, Shirley Murdock, Randy Crawford, and Donald Lawrence. In just one year, nearly 30,000 visitors have experienced this vibrant new attraction

“The Cincinnati Music Festival Weekend is a celebration of our city’s soul,” said Julie Calvert, President and CEO of Visit Cincy. “More than entertaining audiences, the festival cultivates unity and happiness within our community, promoting cultural richness and economic prosperity. This past weekend, and all of the community activities, including Black Music Walk of Fame, that support it and visitors, truly embodies Cincinnati's rich heritage and its ability to shine as a premier global destination.”

Official sponsors of the Cincinnati Music Festival are P&G, Visit Cincy/Meet NKY, AARP, Life Center, Experience Columbus and Central State University.

The Cincinnati Music Festival will return in 2025 from July 31, August 1 and 2. The full lineup of performances will be announced at a later date.

Game Day 7/25/24 Game Day 7/25/24

Depth of Field

Cincinnati was recently named a finalist to host the Sundance Film Festival in 2027. See what you can do to support the efforts!

You probably saw that Cincinnati is a finalist to host the Sundance Film Festival beginning in 2027. And you thought that was amazing, but what could you possibly do to help?

Now’s your chance! Film Cincinnati – and frankly the whole region – wants to show Sundance we mean business! You can sign an online pledge showing their support of Sundance at www.filmcincinnati.com/sundancecincinnati.

Written and performed by Laurent Che; Produced by Lightborne; Filmed at Memorial Hall.

Game Day 7/18/24 Game Day 7/18/24

Coming Attractions

Two films made in Northerm KentucKy, “McVeigh“ and “Dandelion,“ are receiving great buzz and early acclaim on the film festival circuit.

Thomas Doherty and KiKi Layne in “Dandelion.” Courtesy IFC Films

On the (w)heels of widespread acclaim for The Bikeriders, two new films shot in the region are getting great buzz on the festival circuit.

McVeigh and Dandelion, both recently produced and shot in the Northern Kentucky area, are receiving early acclaim this season on the film festival circuit. McVeigh had its world premiere last month at the Tribeca Film Festival, while Dandelion has premiered at a number of festivals, including Cleveland International Film Festival, Chicago Critics Film Festival, and Nashville Film Festival.

McVeigh was written by Alex Gioulakis and Mike Ott, who also directs, and stars Alfie Allen as Timothy McVeigh, the Army veteran who carries out the plan to bomb the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, an act that claimed 168 lives and injured nearly 700 more.

“Alfie Allen impresses in this chilling account of the radicalization of the Oklahoma bomber,” Deadline’s Damon Wise wrote. “McVeigh does have something new to say about radicalization, that it’s not about religion or race or mental illness but a way to fill an empty vessel.”

Dandelion tells the story of a Cincinnati singer-songwriter searching for a career boost at a motorcycle rally, only to find love and her true voice. Written and directed by Nicole Riegel, the movie stars Kiki Layne from the Oscar-winning If Beale Street Could Talk and Thomas Doherty from the movie Descendants 2 and the TV show Gossip Girl.

In “The New York Times” review, Nicolas Rapold wrote, “(Dandelion) is filmed in an artful way that tunes into…sensations and feelings—not just at moments of outright drama, but also the many notes in between. In the end, Dandelion feels like one artist’s emotional prequel, leaving us wishing for even more.”

“Having independent films like McVeigh and Dandelion shoot in Greater Cincinnati shows that we have the talent, crew and locations that can serve any production, no matter the budget,” said Kristen Schlotman, president and CEO of Film Cincinnati. “We’re excited to watch these two movies find their audiences, not just in this country but internationally as well.”

Now in its 37th year, Film Cincinnati is the not-for-profit organization that works to promote Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky as a destination for film, commercial, and television production. Productions shooting in the area contributed nearly $80 million in economic impact in 2017 and 2018.

Game Day 7/11/24 Game Day 7/11/24

On the Mark

With the newly launched Brand Cincy, Cincinnati Experience has created a hub to promote the region with one voice as a global brand.

Stats from Brand Cincy

There are a number of updated regional statistics for companies and organizations to use, including

The Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services expects employment in the Cincinnati region to increase by 6% by the year 2030, with the healthcare field poised to lead the demand to fill the new positions. Brand Cincy's messaging is designed to tell the region's story to help area employers attract the talent needed for future work demands.

The Cincinnati region boasts 1.12 million people employed in the labor force according to Brand Cincy, bolstered by seven Fortune 500 companies in the area. With 22 colleges and universities in the region, 35% of the population holds a bachelor's degree, with 14% holding a graduate or a professional degree.

To view the Brand Cincy Hub, visit the website.

Want to show off the best of Cincinnati?

If just got a little easier!

Cincinnati Experience (CX), an organization that drives the creation and implementation of reputation-building programs that contribute to positive perceptions of the Cincinnati region among critical audiences as one of the country’s leading magnets for business, investment, talent and visitors, just launched the Brand Cincy hub.

The Brand Cincy hub is a collaborative effort of CX, the Cincinnati Chamber, REDI, Visit Cincy, meetNKY, ArtsWave, and others to create a repository of brand strategy, messaging, and visuals to align the rest of the region’s corporations, organizations, and institutions. In the Hub, you will find statistics, accolades, recruitment materials, messaging guidelines, social media platforms, national media stories written about Cincy, and much more to help align our messaging when communicating about what the Cincinnati region has to offer.

“Place branding provides strategic guidance, assists in linking to people and makes them feel closer connected to a place,’ said Anastasia Mileham, executive director of Cincinnati Experience. “For this to happen, branding needs to be the responsibility of many organizations and people, especially when Cincinnati is on a national stage hosting nationally-televised sporting events and major events like BLINK Cincinnati that draw millions to the riverfront and downtown as well as major national associations who host their meetings in the region.”

At a meeting on Wednesday, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval along with business and civic leaders met to review and discuss the new hub and how it can be used for marketing the Cincy region with one voice aimed at tourists and talent.

At the July 10 meeting, CX announced upcoming conventions coming to Cincinnati including

CODAsummit, the premiere event for art and technology leaders, Oct. 16–18, 2024 during BLINK Cincinnati
Americans for the Arts National Conference, June 11–14, 2025 with ArtsWave serving as the local host
American Association for State and Local History annual conference, September 2025, with the Taft Museum of Art and Cincinnati Museum Center serving as the local hosts
Esports Travel Summit, June 2026, with meetNKY, Cincinnati Fear, NKU and UC serving as the local hosts

“We know that today’s workforce is looking for more than just a great job,” said Cincinnati Mayor Pureval. “Brand Cincy’s new messaging highlights the employment opportunities we have in the region, but also the arts, culture, sports and recreation offerings we have here that will entice employees and their families to choose Cincinnati as their new home.”

Research conducted by Development Counsellors International (DCI) shows that 59% of working talent point to first-hand experience (likely visiting a destination) as to how they form impressions of a community: today’s traveler is tomorrow’s talent.

Brand Cincy’s messaging also is directed at the travel, tourism and convention business for the region, with five arts and technology conferences coming up in the next 24 months. (See sidebar.)

Game Day 6/19/24 Game Day 6/19/24

egot game

Roderick Justice of The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati was recently recognized by the Tony Awards for Excellence in Theatre Education.

Cincinnati had a local tie to Sunday’s Tony Awards.

The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) Artistic Director Roderick Justice received an honorable mention for Excellence in Theatre Education from the Tonys and Carnegie Mellon University.

TCT, the only professional theater in the region that devotes its entire MainStage season to children, is a beacon of arts education and entertainment. This recognition further solidifies TCT's position as a leader in the field.

“I would like to say a huge congratulations to the Excellence in Theatre Education Award winner, CJay Philip, who is doing amazing work in Baltimore,” Justice says. “It was a wonderful surprise to become an honorable mention for this award, along with the 17 other arts educators who received the honor and who are doing tremendous work around the country.”

The winner and honorable mentions for the Excellence in Theatre Education Award are selected through a rigorous process. A panel of judges, including the American Theatre Wing, The Broadway League, Carnegie Mellon University, and other leaders from the theater industry, carefully review the candidates submitted by members of the public. These are teachers who play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of theater artists. They identify talented students, nurture them, inspire them, and set them off on a lifelong journey as theater supporters and professionals.

Philip, a Baltimore-based actor, educator, choreographer, and Broadway veteran, has created arts opportunities for everyone from kindergartners to senior citizens. The founder and artistic director of the multidisciplinary ensemble Dance & Bmore received the 2024 Excellence in Theatre Education Award on June 16 at the Tony Awards in New York City, which was telecast on CBS.

Children's Theatre of Cincinnati

Celebrating 105 years this season, TCT is the oldest children's theatre in the country, Its mission is to educate, entertain, and engage audiences of all ages through professional theatrical productions and arts education programming. Its vision is to awaken a lifelong love of theater in children and the young at heart. Today, the Children's Theatre brings art to life for audiences through three key programs:

For more information, visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com.

This year, Roderick celebrates 19 seasons with The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. Since assuming the role of artistic eirector in 2015, he's launched over 20 world-premiere original works and adaptations of theatre for young audiences (TYA). Roderick’s work is a testament to his unwavering dedication and passion for storytelling, childhood development through arts, and the transformative power of live theatre in fostering empathy and making our world a better place.

“This recognition is a celebration of all the arts educators who have taught me and who continue to teach and inspire me to share the power of the arts,” says Justice. “From my elementary school choir teacher who turned music notes into heartbeats, to the education eirector at TCT who has taken our Academy to new heights; from my high school teachers who ignited a passion for arts, to my college professors and my mentor who showed me how to make a career within that passion; from the students I teach, to the students I’ve taught who now work alongside me, specifically my associate artistic director… I must say ‘thank you’ for making arts education a priority. Thank you for believing the magic it encompasses to transform all of us.”

Game Day 6/13/24 Game Day 6/13/24

Bringing Their A Game

A Walnut Hills High grad is one of 24 national winners in the First Tee Scholarship Program.

A local teen is now the winner of a national college golf scholarship!

First Tee Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky named Walnut Hills High School Graduate and First Tee GCNKY participant, Henry Mentzel to the First Tee College Scholarship Program.

“Henry is not only an outstanding golfer, but he has demonstrated his care for both the First Tee and broader community, having worked in the past with children and golfers of all abilities,” said Patty Ragio, CEO of First Tee GCNKY. “This summer he continues his First Tee journey as an alum as one of our rising college program interns. We could not be prouder of Henry and all the talent he has shared with us and his community.”

Entering its fifth year, the program recently celebrated its first graduating class, and now boasts 94 current or former members.

Like his peers before him, Mentzel has shown dedication to school, extracurriculars, volunteerism and especially our First Tee Chapter, having been a participant for nearly 10 years in the youth development organization.

Mentzel is one of 24 Scholars, pulled from a pool of 150 highly qualified applicants.

“His outstanding academic record at Walnut Hills has enabled his admission to the University of Kentucky in the fall. Moreover, Henry is already a recipient of our Chapter’s Rita S. Metcalf Memorial Scholarship,” said Raggio.

Members of the First Tee College Scholarship program not only receive financial support, but they are also matched with an adult mentor and provided annual professional development opportunities.

First Tee is a youth development organization that helps kids and teens build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. First Tee GCNKY serves over 25,000 kids and teens each year on golf courses, in schools and at community centers across seven counties and nine locations across Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky. (Hamilton, Butler,Warren, Clermont, Boone, Kenton, Campbell).

For more information, visit First Tee’s website.

“Spring is an exciting time of year when we welcome a new group of First Tee Scholars,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “The scholarship program has grown significantly since it launched in 2020 thanks to our generous donors and sponsors. We look forward to supporting our Scholars on their path to success.”

Participants across First Tee’s network submitted applications to be a part of the latest Scholar class. Following an online application process, finalists were selected by a committee for one-on-one interviews. In addition to academic performance, applicants were considered based on financial need, chapter involvement,community service and other criteria.

Members of the First Tee College Scholarship program not only receive financial support, but they are also matched with an adult mentor and provided annual professional development opportunities.

Game Day 6/6/24 Game Day 6/6/24

On Burrowed Time

With a sold-out field of golfers, the second annual Joe Burrow Foundation Golf Invitational raised $1.1 million. See more from the event!

Photos: Shae Combs

Missed the golf outing? You can still do good!

Donate to the Joe Burrow Foundation by purchasing select Burrow-themed apparel from Ohio-based Where I’m From.

Through June 10, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Foundation.

Order now!

A sold-out field of golfers and celebrities joined the second annual Joe Burrow Foundation Golf Invitational, raising $1.1 million for the organization at The Golf Club at Stonelick Hills on May 31.

Hosted by the Burrow family, the golf invitational was presented by Encore Technologies, Jeff Ruby's Catering and Gravity Diagnostics. The Joe Burrow Foundation's goal is to help children with mental illness and those experiencing food insecurity by provide resources and support to the underprivileged and underserved.

Celebrities who participated in the golf tournament included Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor, and members of his coaching staff, plus current players Orlando Brown, Ted Karras, Cordell Volson, Nate Gilliam, Jake Browning, Trenton Irwin, Vonn Bell and first round draft pick Amarius Mims.

Also joining for the golf tournament were ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit, UC Bearcat coach Wes Miller, NFL Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz, Bengals broadcasters Dan Hoard and Dave Lapham, former Bengal Max Montoya, FOX News anchor Bill Hemmer and TNT's Allie LaForce.

The event committee was led by Amy Floyd, executive director of the Joe Burrow Foundation, and included Chrissie Blatt, Karen Frank, Julie Richardson, Frances Gartner, Jay Schumacher, Gail and Madi Mullinger.

Game Day 5/29/24 Game Day 5/29/24

Light It Up

Organizers of BLINK®, illuminated by ArtsWave, want you to "Let It Shine!" for the kickoff parade this October. Find out how to apply!

Join the BLINK Parade!

Groups are asked to “Let It Shine!” by applying with:

Light-based costumes
Human-powered floats and kinetic sculptures
Lighted puppets and props
Performance (dance, theatrical, music)

Visit blinkcincinnati.com for further details regarding parade participation, opportunities for community workshops, and more. The parade route will be announced closer to the event.

Full application available at blinkcincinnati.com.

Applications are open through Aug. 4, 2024.

Do you love a parade? Then we’ve got good news for you!

Organizers of BLINK®, illuminated by ArtsWave, are planning kickoff parade for this year’s event.

Applications for now open for groups – community organizations, cultural groups, and local artists – to submit participation ideas for the parade.

The “Let It Shine!” BLINK 2024 Parade continues the tradition of welcoming in the nation’s largest light and art event with a procession of mesmerizing artistry, joy and community spirit.

Scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024 at sundown, the “Let It Shine!” BLINK 2024 Parade will feature a procession of artists, youth and cultural groups, artist institutions, community organizations, and more adorned in illuminated sculptures, larger-than-life puppets, dazzling performers, and glowing costumes.

Free for all and showcasing thousands of community participants, the parade has become a cherished tradition and an official marker of the multi-day public art celebration.

“BLINK represents a call to unleash our city’s creativity, innovation and imagination,” says Justin Brookhart, executive director of BLINK. “We want everyone to see themselves reflected in BLINK, providing a platform for diverse organizations to showcase their unique contributions. The parade, with its focus on art and light, allows different types of groups to create stunning displays and performances. We are excited to welcome the best of the Cincinnati region to celebrate and contribute to this radiant tapestry of our collective imagination.”

“Let It Shine!” signifies a call to embrace our inner light, express and share our light openly and authentically, to come together as a community, and together, overcome challenges with resilience and pride.

“This year's theme, ‘Let it Shine,’ speaks to the struggle and resilience needed to overcome incredible challenges,” says Marie Krulewitch-Browne, parade organizer and founder of ish. “Throughout history, the arts have been a powerful tool in navigating differences and expressing our deepest emotions. Now, more than ever, arts and cultural rituals are essential for our healing. We invite all community groups to join us in this parade, to let their light shine, and to contribute to a collective celebration of our strength and creativity.”

Game Day 5/22/24 Game Day 5/22/24

All in Good Fun

The 18th Annual CancerFree KIDS Butterfly Walk returned to the Cincinnati Zoo this past weekend.

CancerFree KIDS has a mission to eradicate cancer as a life-threatening disease in children by funding promising research that might otherwise go unfunded.

Find out more www.cancerfreekids.org.

The 18th Annual CancerFree KIDS Butterfly Walk, presented by Interlink Cloud Advisors, returned to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden on Saturday, May 18 with more than 850 participants joining to celebrate survivors and remember those for whom a cure did not come soon enough.

Each year at the CancerFree KIDS' Butterfly Walk, families, friends and co-workers form teams to raise money in support of kids and the mission to find gentler and more effective treatments for children with cancer by funding research that would otherwise go unfunded.

Game Day 5/16/24 Game Day 5/16/24

At the Table

Local culinary greats gathered to create a feast at the Tisdel Showroom to benefit La Soupe. We've got pix from the incredible evening!

A fundraiser featuring some of the city’s greatest culinary minds, foodies, benefactors and wine lovers also showcased a hidden gem: the Tisdel Showroom, The official Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove showroom in the Kenwood Collection while drawing attention to fighting food insecurity in the Cincinnati area.

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Photos: Tasha Pinelo

Surrounded by high-end appliances in a vast, decorator-inspired showroom, Tisdel and its partners curated a memorable evening, called “An Evening of Culinary Discovery” to benefit LaSoupe, the local nonprofit which rescues perishables from farms, grocers and wholesalers and transforms into healthy meals.

In addition to raising funds for LaSoupe, the evening also brought together restaurant partners, wines from Hart and Cru, flowers by Marti Heard and Curated by Amy Tobin & Co.

“All of us at Tisdel Distributing were so happy to share our beautiful showroom as we showcased the depth and breadth of culinary talent in our community, said Courtney Black, President, Tisdel Distributing. “The food and wine tasted even sweeter knowing that we all came together to help fight food insecurity by supporting La Soupe.

More than a hundred patrons were treated to a one-of-a-kind experience that began the moment they walked in the door. Handcrafted cocktails as beautiful as the showroom itself welcomed patrons, who found their table assignments behind pastel-painted doors.

After a cocktail hour to explore the showroom, diners were then seated for a seven-course dinner. Chefs from Parisian Pantry, Sebastian Bakehouse, Colette, LaSoupe, Wildweed, Coppin’s at Hotel Covington and The Rhined prepared offerings that were expertly paired with a selection of wines from Kevin Hart of Hart and Cru, who visited every table to explain his thought process and tell some of the stories behind the wines.

The event was the first of its scope for Tisdel, which raised more than $8,200 for LaSoupe. Tisdel plans to make the fundraiser an annual event, while continuing its ongoing relationship supporting LaSoupe and its mission to fight food insecurity in the community with more events throughout the year. “Stay tuned,” said Black. “There's much more to come!”

Tisdel Showroom is located in The Kenwood Collection, 5901 E Galbraith Rd Level R2, www.sub-zero-and-wolf-showroom-cincinnati-by-tisdel.

Game Day 5/9/24 Game Day 5/9/24

Out of Snorts

For the second year in a row, Jason Salyer was the men’s division winner at the Cincinnati Flying Pig Weekend. See more from an epig weekend!

For the entire Flying Pig weekend, 39,245 participants were registered.

That includes

Full marathon: 4,994
Paycor Half Marathon: 11,887
City Dash 4-Person Relay: 1,302
Toyota 10K: 4,819
Queen City Running Co. 5K: 7,899
Cincinnati Children’s 26th Mile: 2,182
PigAbilities presented by Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries: 1,278
First Watch Flying Piglet: 796
Flying Fur Dog Walk/Run presented by Bounce: 589
Fifty West Mile: 3,499

For more information visit flyingpigmarathon.com.

For the second year in a row, Jason Salyer of Tipp City is the men’s division winner at the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon, which celebrated its 26th running on Sunday, May 5. In the women’s division, 26-year-old Olivia Anger of Bellbrook, Ohio, won in a time of 2:43:23, the second fastest time recorded for a women’s division winner behind Tatyana Pozdnyakova’s 2:34:35 in 2002.

The 33-year-old Salyer won in a time of 2:26:01, more than a minute faster than his winning time last year of 2:27:10. Much of the race was a back and forth between Salyer and the second-place finisher, 23-year-old Adam Beucler of Hudson, Ohio, who finished in a time of 2:26:53. Third was two-time Flying Pig Marathon winner Jack Randall of Cincinnati. The 29-year-old finished in 2:27:34.

“Adam and I had five or six lead changes,” Salyer said. “I’d never raced Adam before, I’d heard of him and knew he was a talent. Every time I took the lead from him, I never felt that lead was safe, and when he took the lead from me, I told myself I had to stay in contact.”

In the women’s division, Anger won her first Flying Pig Marathon, but she’s no stranger to Pig events. The PhD student at the University of Cincinnati won last year’s Flying Pig Toyota 10K in 35:53.

“It’s amazing seeing the city of Cincinnati come together to support all the runners,” she said. “In Cincinnati, you know when it’s Flying Pig weekend because for the whole weekend, people make a fun festival out of it. The community really invests in making this such a wonderful event. I couldn’t have done it without the city of Cincinnati cheering me on. It was amazing.”

Second in the women’s marathon division was 31-year-old Brooke Wildermuth of Cincinnati in 2:51:41. She also won a Flying Pig event last year, the Queen City Running 5K, in a time of 16:47. Third was 29-year-old Daniela De Aguiar of Columbus in 2:59:32.

In the Paycor Half Marathon, 23-year-old Jonathan Harley of Cincinnati was first with a time of 1:10:44. Second in the division was 32-year-old Eric Gruenbacher of Loveland in 1:12:08. Gruenbacher also came in second in last year’s Paycor Half Marathon. Third in the male division was 28-year-old Jersson Pachar of Cincinnati in 1:14:08.

In the female division, 29-year-old Jules Madzia of Cincinnati came in first in a time of 1:19:52. Second was 20-year-old Claire Curtsinger of California, KY in 1:20:42 and third was 33-year-old Megan Francus of Cincinnati in 1:21:41.

“It’s an incredible course,” Madzia said. “The crowds the whole way, but especially through Eden Park, are amazing. For me, no matter how bad I feel, when they are cheering, you kind of forget how you feel.”

In Saturday’s events, 31-year-old Zac Holtkamp of Alexandria, who came in second in the 50 West Mile Friday evening, won the Toyota 10K men’s open division in 32:15, with 27-year-old Max Hoffman of Columbus second in a time of 32:49. Third was 20-year-old Carson Rewiski of Onsted, Michigan, in 33:30.

In the women’s open division, 33-year-old Emily Zimmerman of Dayton, Ohio, finished first in a time of 37:38, while 26-year-old Madeline Trevisan of Cincinnati was second in 38:28 and third was 35-year-old-Megan Kahn of Loveland in 39:58.

In the Queen City Running 5K, 19-year-old Chip Smith of Westerville, Ohio, was the top male finisher in 15:48, with 42-year-old David Riddle of Cincinnati second in 15:53 and 22-year-old Christian Leach of Monroe, Ohio, third in 16:17. On the women’s side, 28-year-old Bukola Pereira of Glendale, Ohio, won in 18:40, with 31-year-old Mary Craig of Newport second in 18:43 and 34-year-old Bridget Zimmerman of Newport third in 19:17.

In the Bounce Flying Fur dog event, top placers were Jimmy Chisholm in 6:38, Samuel Hall in 7:08, and Pacer-the-Dog in 7:09. Also held on Saturday were the Cincinnati Children’s 26th Mile, Flying Piglet and PigAbilities presented by Ohio Valley Goodwill.

Flying Pig weekend kicked off with the 50 West Mile, part of the TQL Beer Series of events. In the elite men’s division, top three placers were 23-year-old Jonathan Harley of Cincinnati, winning in a photo finish over former Flying Pig Marathon winner Holtkamp and 29-year-old Alex Gold of Cincinnati, another former Flying Pig Marathon winner, all with a time of 4:21.

In the women’s elite division, 30-year-old Katarine Smiljanec of Covington won in a time of 5:01 over 34-year-old Katie Ruhlman of Dayton, Ohio in 5:09 and 31-year-old Flannery Musk of Louisville in 5:11.

The next Flying Pig Marathon weekend of events is set for May 2–5, 2025, with registration open now.

Game Day 5/1/24 Game Day 5/1/24

Head of the Class

The Anthony Muñoz Foundation honored 18 Tristate students at their annual Straight ‘A’ Scholarships luncheon. Meet the amazing winners!

As an NFL Hall of Fame lineman, Anthony Muñoz’s impact on the football field was tremendous. But his impact on the lives of youth in the Cincinnati community has been even greater.

On Tuesday, April 30, The Anthony Muñoz Foundation (AMF) held their annual Straight ‘A’ Luncheon at The Lempicka by Jeff Ruby, where they recognized 18 inspiring Tristate seniors. Each of the students honored overcome adversity to excel in the “Straight A’s” defined by Foundation – Academic excellence, Athletic achievement, Actively serving in the community while possessing a strong Ambition, having a winning Attitude and an ability to overcome Adversity.

“I think a lot of what we do at the Foundation stems from my upbringing and the things I’ve gone through. Being raised by a single mom – we didn’t have a whole lot, but we worked hard and were lucky enough to have people in our community who believed in us,”Muñoz said. “Being able to honor young men and women that are choosing positive paths and achieving despite the adversity in their way; that's what we want to do.”

Through donations from Mike’s Carwash, the Foundation awarded $45,000 in scholarships though the Straight ‘A’ Program. The Mike’s Carwash and Bengals’ “2 Day Who Dey” promotion raised over $59,990 for the Foundation, which will go toward the Foundation’s Impact Programs.

In all, nine female and nine male recipients were each awarded a $2,000 scholarship to help further their education. From the 18 recipients chosen by the selection committee, Muñoz selected the Straight ‘A’ Scholarship Male and Female Students of the Year to receive an additional scholarship award.

Maleighna Mondal of East Central High School, Emma Pinson of Little Miami High School, and Juan Torres of Hughes STEM High School were awarded the 2024 Straight ‘A’ Scholarship Overall Female and Male Students of the Year. Mondal, Pinson, and Torres received an additional $3,000 scholarship, for a total of $5,000, to use toward their college education.

The 2024 Selection Committee was Brian Dahm, Joe Dahm, Rico Grant, John Jones, Alison Montoya, and Anya Sanchez.

“We were thrilled to be able to partner with the Bengals and the Anthony Muñoz Foundation to raise money to youth”, said Dahm, president of Mike’s Carwash. “We’re grateful to our customers for supporting the Anthony Muñoz Foundation through out Two Day Who Dey promotion. Since teaming up with Anthony’s Foundation, Mike’s has raised more than $435,000 through our Bengals partnership.”

Male Finalists

Freddie Caldwell
Covington Catholic High School

Nate Gerhardstein
La Salle High School

Isaac Halker
Fayetteville-Perry High School

Luke Halsey
Edgewood High School

Jaymen Reynolds
La Salle High School

Juan Torres
Hughes STEM High School

Salomon Vargas
Southern Hills Career & Technical Center

Jamison Watts
National Trail High School

Marquez Whitehead
Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional

Female Finalists

Rose Bothast-Revalee
Talawanda High School

Aubreyana Chase
Aiken High School

Cate Coulter
New Richmond Christian School

Kate Doll
Seton High School

Angel Jones
Oyler School

Maleighna Mondal
East Central High School

Emma Pinson
Little Miami High School

Melissa Teke
Cincinnati Country Day

Beatrice Tierney,
St. Ursula Academy

Game Day 4/24/24 Game Day 4/24/24

Moving Ahead

Jobs for Cincinnati’s Graduates held its 42nd Annual Career Development Conference, helping to ensure academic and career success for local youth.

2023-2024 Jobs for Cincinnati Graduates Competition Winners.OBS FOR

Prepared Speaking

1st Place: Soloman Dawit, Western Hills University High School
Izayah Camp, Western Hills University High School
2nd Place: Madison Allen, Winton Woods High School
3rd Place: Daniel Thomas, Hughes STEM High School

Cover Design

1st Place: Khadidiatou Gadiaga, Western Hills University High School
2nd Place: Damari Sanders, Withrow University High School
3rd Place: Marcus Eppes, Withrow University High School

Video Presentation

1st Place: Kiare Million; Winton Woods High School
2nd Place: Hammed Cisse, Western Hills University High School
Fallou Sow, Western Hills University High School
3rd Place: Chloe Tate; Woodward Career Technical High School

Students For Service

1st Place: Western Hills High School
Kisha Morrison
Sa’Miya Lee
2nd Place: Oyler High School
Jaziarh Harris
Khalana Davis

3rd Place: Withrow University High School
Christopher Toran
Javon Davis

Financial Literacy

1st Place: Leo Carrillo, Winton Woods
Samantha Murry-Shakir, North College Hill High School
2nd Place: Ankita Rai, Aiken New Tech High School
Kevin Reece, Western Hills University High School
3rd Place: Angel Jones, Oyler High School

Career Preparation

1st Place: Tyara Ashley, Western Hills High School
2nd Place: Daniel Hernandez, Oyler High School
3rd Place: Khadidiatou Gadiaga, Western Hills High School

Business Plan

1st Place: Shroder High School
Ambrose Brunner
Desean Richard

2nd Place: Woodward High School
Sirron Baker
David Hudson III
Santino Williams
Dwight Lawrence

Employability Skills

1st Place: Blake Scriber, Withrow University High School
2nd Place: Asante Sacko, Shroder High School
3rd Place: Eric Kennedy, Taft Information Technology High School

Decision Making

1st Place: Hamet Thiam, North College Hills High School
2nd Place: Shawn Trapp, Shroder High School
3rd Place: Darria Mayes, Hughes STEM High School

Knowledge Bowl

1st Place: North College Hill High School
Braylon Dennis
Jaelynn Clemmons
Ana Link
Israel Dunn
2nd Place: Withrow University High School
Arianna Key
Brionna Benton
Asa Midell
Adrian Wolfe
3rd Place:  Hughes STEM High School
Cameren Curry
Dino Mitchell
Reico Johnson
Maksim Quiles

At this year’s annual Annual Career Development Conference for the Jobs for Cincinnati Graduates (JCG) program, students competed in the areas of prepared speaking, video presentation, cover, with Spirit Award and Partner of the Year winners announced.

Because dropping out of school can have far-reaching implications for students, Cincinnati Youth Collaborative (CYC) is deeply committed to empowering young people and preventing dropouts through the JCG program.

Held on April 17, the 42nd Annual Career Development Conference celebrated the success of the the latest round of JCG students.

JCG competitors from Aiken New Tech, Hughes STEM, North College Hill, Oyler, Taft Information Technology, Western Hills University, Winton Woods, Withrow University, and Woodward Career Technical High Schools competed in the areas of prepared speaking, video presentation, cover design, student’s for service, career preparation, business plan, employability skills, decision making, and knowledge bowl.

Competitions were judged by CYC board members, YP Board, and business and community partners. At the conference, students participated in Beauty / Brains / Brawn team-building workshops. The first and secont place winners moved on to compete in State JOG competitions.

Established to honor JCG’s two founding companies, Macy’s and Procter & Gamble, Spirit Award winners were also announced at the conference.

This year’s winners were Macy’s: Samantha Murry-Shakir, North College Hill High School and P&G: Nency Patel, Western University High School.

The Macy’s and P&G Spirit Awards recognize two JCG students who best exemplify what the JCG program is all about. Student are nominated by JCG Specialists, then judged by a panel of current and past CYC Board Member. Nominations include how the nominee exemplies “Spirit Award Qualities” and the five goals of the career sssociation: leadership development, career preparation, civic awareness, social awareness, and community service/service learning.

This year’s “Partner of the Year” award was presented to Justus Stroud of City Gospel Mission’s Jobs Plus. JCG has a long-standing partnership with Jobs Plus, regularly teaching life skills, including self-esteem, character building, career planning, responsibility, and networking. Jobs Plus also provides great resources for students, providing professional attire, helping with job placements, and serving as positive mentors.

According to a 2021 study from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, students who drop out of high school are three times more likely to be unemployed than degree holders.

Because dropping out of school can have far-reaching implications for students, CYC is deeply committed to empowering young people and preventing dropouts through the JCG and many other programs. See more about CYC does in the community at www.cycyouth.org.

Game Day 4/17/24 Game Day 4/17/24

Out of the Park

A new bar and restaurant, The Park, is set to open this summer at The Banks, with a menu from the team at Good Plates.

What better place for The Park than at The Banks!

This summer, veteran Cincinnati-area hospitality leaders Will Hodges and Chase Daoud are collaborating on their second concept together, opening a new bar/restaurant called The Park.

Hodges has been involved in the entertainment scene at The Banks for 12 years, and he and Daoud opened the popular bar and restaurant, The Well Covington, in January 2023.

The Park, set to open in June, will bring the outside in, creating an indoor bar with an outdoor feel. Patrons will enjoy year-round patio seating, and inside, will dine beneath a tree-like sculpture that serves as the centerpiece of the modern interior.

The Park will serve up cocktails and classic drink offerings, paired with a menu by Good Plates, a creative American eatery that expertly blends flavors, crafting imaginative cuisine for a unique taste experience.

Jamie and Chef Andrew Schlanser of Good Plates Eatery.

Good Plates is known for serving a style of classic American comfort food, with flavors for everyone. The restaurant, by Chef Andrew Schlanser, is a spot where you can get a meatball sub and fries or a Brussels sprouts and mushroom quinoa bowl.

Along with creating great food, Good Plates gives back to the community. For the last four years, the restaurant has offered thousands of free holiday meals and hosted coat drives, and is always looking for new ways to engage with (and feed) the community.

The Park opens to the public in June 2024.

Game Day 4/11/24 Game Day 4/11/24

Starry Night

Check out the celebration at The Contemporary Arts Center for the opening reception of Jayson Musson: His History of Art.

The Contemporary Arts Center hosted an opening celebration for the exhibition Jayson Musson: His History of Art on Friday.

The party offered a chance to see see the work in the gallery, mingle with local artists, and enjoy an artist talk with Musson and Christina Vassallo, the CAC’s director.

Photos: Shae Huth

His History of Art features a three-channel video series written, starred, and co-directed by artist Jayson Musson, who describes it as “a sitcom orbiting art history and all the fun to be had dancing on the minefield of the past.” Taking inspiration from the structure and tone of educational programs such as PBS children’s shows and nun-turned-art critic Sister Wendy Beckett, Musson conducts a satirical survey on art history, its relationship to the general public, and the ways in which popular art historical images impact cultural consciousness.

Musson created His History of Art as part of his 2022 artist residency at The Fabric Workshop and Museum (FWM), an institution in Philadelphia devoted to artistic collaboration. Inspired by sitcoms and educational and variety television shows, including Pee Wee’s Playhouse and The Muppets, Musson collaborated with FWM staff, film producers, writers, and editors to create a three-episode series that reconsiders key aspects of art history. The artist breaks down elitist walls surrounding art history and encourages the questioning of long-established beliefs around artistic genius.

Find our more at www.contemporaryartscenter.org.

Game Day 4/3/24 Game Day 4/3/24

Pigger Than Ever

Being voted the Best Marathon in America is nothing to snort at! The Flying Pig takes the top spot in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice.

It’s always been our favorite, but now it’s America’s favorite!

The Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon has been voted the Best Marathon in America by the 2024 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award, among 20 marathons selected by a USA TODAY panel as the best in the country.

“For the past 25 years, we have watched the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon grow into a top #10 U.S. running festival,” said Mayor Aftab Pureval, City of Cincinnati. “Now America has spoken with their votes in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice awards by naming the Flying Pig Marathon as the #1 Marathon in America. We are proud of our hometown marathon and welcome all of the participants to Cincinnati this May.”

The list of the Top 10 finalists is

1. Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon

2. New York City Marathon

3. Marine Corps Marathon

4. Big Sur International Marathon

5. Coast Guard Marathon

6. CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon

7. Shiprock Marathon

8. Bank of America Chicago Marathon

9. Honolulu Marathon

10. Hatfield McCoy Marathon

“We are extremely honored and very excited to win the public’s vote as the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice marathon,” said Iris Simpson Bush, CEO of Pig Works, the parent organization of the Flying Pig Marathon. “We work all year round to make sure our participants are all treated like VIPs (Very Important Pigs) and have the best experience possible. We thank USA TODAY and everyone who voted for us for this prestigious honor.”

The 26th running of the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon weekend is May 3-5, 2024. Follow the Pig on Facebook at Flying Pig Marathon and on Instagram @runflyingpig. Visit www.flyingpigmarathon.com for event information and registration!

The 10Best Readers’ Choice Award contest launches new categories every other Monday at noon, revealing each category’s 20 nominees. After four weeks of voting, the contest closes on the 28th day at noon. On the Friday after voting ends, winners are revealed. Rules allow the public the right to vote online for one nominee per category, per day.

Nominees for all categories are chosen by a panel of relevant experts which include a combination of editors from USA TODAY; editors from 10Best.com; relevant expert contributors; and sources for both these media and other Gannett properties.

Health and Wellbeing Pillar

Technology pillar:

For more information, visit First Tee’s website.

Photos: Shae Combs

Missed the golf outing? You can still do good!

Donate to the Joe Burrow Foundation by purchasing select Burrow-themed apparel from Ohio-based Where I’m From.

Through June 10, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Foundation.

Join the BLINK Parade!

Groups are asked to “Let It Shine!” by applying with:

Light-based costumes

Human-powered floats and kinetic sculptures

Lighted puppets and props

Performance (dance, theatrical, music)

Visit blinkcincinnati.com for further details regarding parade participation, opportunities for community workshops, and more. The parade route will be announced closer to the event.

Full application available at blinkcincinnati.com.

Applications are open through Aug. 4, 2024.

CancerFree KIDS has a mission to eradicate cancer as a life-threatening disease in children by funding promising research that might otherwise go unfunded.

Find out more www.cancerfreekids.org.

Photos: Tasha Pinelo

For the entire Flying Pig weekend, 39,245 participants were registered.

That includes

Full marathon: 4,994

Paycor Half Marathon: 11,887

City Dash 4-Person Relay: 1,302

Toyota 10K: 4,819

Queen City Running Co. 5K: 7,899

Cincinnati Children’s 26th Mile: 2,182

PigAbilities presented by Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries: 1,278

First Watch Flying Piglet: 796

Flying Fur Dog Walk/Run presented by Bounce: 589

Fifty West Mile: 3,499

For more information visit flyingpigmarathon.com.

Male Finalists

Freddie CaldwellCovington Catholic High School

Nate GerhardsteinLa Salle High School

Isaac HalkerFayetteville-Perry High School

Luke HalseyEdgewood High School

Jaymen ReynoldsLa Salle High School

Juan TorresHughes STEM High School

Salomon Vargas Southern Hills Career & Technical Center

Jamison Watts National Trail High School

Marquez WhiteheadSpencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional

Female Finalists

Rose Bothast-RevaleeTalawanda High School

Aubreyana ChaseAiken High School

Cate CoulterNew Richmond Christian School

Kate Doll Seton High School

Angel Jones Oyler School

Maleighna Mondal East Central High School

Emma PinsonLittle Miami High School

Melissa TekeCincinnati Country Day

Beatrice Tierney,St. Ursula Academy

2023-2024 Jobs for Cincinnati Graduates Competition Winners.OBS FOR

Prepared Speaking

1st Place: Soloman Dawit, Western Hills University High SchoolIzayah Camp, Western Hills University High School2nd Place: Madison Allen, Winton Woods High School3rd Place: Daniel Thomas, Hughes STEM High School

Cover Design

1st Place: Khadidiatou Gadiaga, Western Hills University High School2nd Place: Damari Sanders, Withrow University High School3rd Place: Marcus Eppes, Withrow University High School

Video Presentation

1st Place: Kiare Million; Winton Woods High School2nd Place: Hammed Cisse, Western Hills University High School Fallou Sow, Western Hills University High School 3rd Place: Chloe Tate; Woodward Career Technical High School

Students For Service

1st Place: Western Hills High SchoolKisha MorrisonSa’Miya Lee 2nd Place: Oyler High SchoolJaziarh HarrisKhalana Davis

3rd Place: Withrow University High SchoolChristopher ToranJavon Davis

Financial Literacy

1st Place: Leo Carrillo, Winton WoodsSamantha Murry-Shakir, North College Hill High School 2nd Place: Ankita Rai, Aiken New Tech High SchoolKevin Reece, Western Hills University High School3rd Place: Angel Jones, Oyler High School

Career Preparation

1st Place: Tyara Ashley, Western Hills High School2nd Place: Daniel Hernandez, Oyler High School3rd Place: Khadidiatou Gadiaga, Western Hills High School

Business Plan

1st Place: Shroder High SchoolAmbrose BrunnerDesean Richard

2nd Place: Woodward High SchoolSirron BakerDavid Hudson IIISantino WilliamsDwight Lawrence

Employability Skills

1st Place: Blake Scriber, Withrow University High School2nd Place: Asante Sacko, Shroder High School3rd Place: Eric Kennedy, Taft Information Technology High School

Decision Making

1st Place: Hamet Thiam, North College Hills High School2nd Place: Shawn Trapp, Shroder High School3rd Place: Darria Mayes, Hughes STEM High School

Knowledge Bowl

1st Place: North College Hill High SchoolBraylon DennisJaelynn ClemmonsAna LinkIsrael Dunn2nd Place: Withrow University High SchoolArianna Key Brionna BentonAsa MidellAdrian Wolfe3rd Place: Hughes STEM High SchoolCameren CurryDino MitchellReico JohnsonMaksim Quiles

Jamie and Chef Andrew Schlanser of Good Plates Eatery.

Photos: Shae Huth

Freddie Caldwell
Covington Catholic High School

Nate Gerhardstein
La Salle High School

Isaac Halker
Fayetteville-Perry High School

Luke Halsey
Edgewood High School

Jaymen Reynolds
La Salle High School

Juan Torres
Hughes STEM High School

Salomon Vargas
Southern Hills Career & Technical Center

Jamison Watts
National Trail High School

Marquez Whitehead
Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional

Rose Bothast-Revalee
Talawanda High School

Aubreyana Chase
Aiken High School

Cate Coulter
New Richmond Christian School

Kate Doll
Seton High School

Angel Jones
Oyler School

Maleighna Mondal
East Central High School

Emma Pinson
Little Miami High School

Melissa Teke
Cincinnati Country Day

Beatrice Tierney,
St. Ursula Academy

1st Place: Soloman Dawit, Western Hills University High School
Izayah Camp, Western Hills University High School
2nd Place: Madison Allen, Winton Woods High School
3rd Place: Daniel Thomas, Hughes STEM High School

1st Place: Khadidiatou Gadiaga, Western Hills University High School
2nd Place: Damari Sanders, Withrow University High School
3rd Place: Marcus Eppes, Withrow University High School

1st Place: Kiare Million; Winton Woods High School
2nd Place: Hammed Cisse, Western Hills University High School
Fallou Sow, Western Hills University High School
3rd Place: Chloe Tate; Woodward Career Technical High School

1st Place: Western Hills High School
Kisha Morrison
Sa’Miya Lee
2nd Place: Oyler High School
Jaziarh Harris
Khalana Davis

3rd Place: Withrow University High School
Christopher Toran
Javon Davis

1st Place: Leo Carrillo, Winton Woods
Samantha Murry-Shakir, North College Hill High School
2nd Place: Ankita Rai, Aiken New Tech High School
Kevin Reece, Western Hills University High School
3rd Place: Angel Jones, Oyler High School

1st Place: Tyara Ashley, Western Hills High School
2nd Place: Daniel Hernandez, Oyler High School
3rd Place: Khadidiatou Gadiaga, Western Hills High School

1st Place: Shroder High School
Ambrose Brunner
Desean Richard

2nd Place: Woodward High School
Sirron Baker
David Hudson III
Santino Williams
Dwight Lawrence

1st Place: Blake Scriber, Withrow University High School
2nd Place: Asante Sacko, Shroder High School
3rd Place: Eric Kennedy, Taft Information Technology High School

1st Place: Hamet Thiam, North College Hills High School
2nd Place: Shawn Trapp, Shroder High School
3rd Place: Darria Mayes, Hughes STEM High School

1st Place: North College Hill High School
Braylon Dennis
Jaelynn Clemmons
Ana Link
Israel Dunn
2nd Place: Withrow University High School
Arianna Key
Brionna Benton
Asa Midell
Adrian Wolfe
3rd Place: Hughes STEM High School
Cameren Curry
Dino Mitchell
Reico Johnson
Maksim Quiles