February 2026

ARTS & CULTURE | COMMUNITY | PHILANTHROPY

February 2026

Developing the region’s workforce Pam Green leads Easterseals Redwood The Chamber’s Audrey Treasure Nonprofits working at the forefront

Steve Loftin: 30 years guiding

The Aronoff EVERY MONTH: ARTS EVENT LISTINGS, NONPROFIT SOCIAL DATEBOOK

Pam Green

JulieJULIE K. Back The Luxury Leader K.– BACK #1 AGENT IN OHIO & CINCINNATI THE LUXURY LEADER

INDIAN HILL TRANSACTION LEADER

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YEARS IN A ROW

57720 GIVEN RD– LISTED & SOLD

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JULIE K. BACK IS UNMATCHED WITH

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INDIAN HILL TRANSACTIONS IN 2025

8628 Brittany Dr* ...................................... LISTED

8080 Indian Hill Rd .................. LISTED & SOLD

5055 S. Drake Rd ................................................SOLD

7936 Keller Rd* ........................... LISTED & SOLD

7778 Rock Hill Ln ......................................................SOLD

9575 Cunningham Rd ................................... LISTED

5634 Bayberry* ........................................................... SOLD

5025 Miami Rd........................................................ LISTED

8102 Kugler Mill Dr .............................................SOLD

5780 Miami Rd ............................ LISTED & SOLD

6145 Miami Rd ........................... LISTED & SOLD

8780 Old Indian Hill Rd ...................................SOLD

5039 Bayberry* ................................................SOLD

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4940 Burley Hills Dr ..........................................SOLD

5875 Miami Road......................... LISTED & SOLD

8925 Spooky Ridge Ln

LISTED

5415 Graydonmeadow Ln ...............................SOLD

6100 Miami Road......................... LISTED & SOLD

8450 Blue Cut Ln ....................................... LISTED

7310 Sanderson Pl ..............................................SOLD

7520 Indian Hill Rd .................................... LISTED

4280 Willow Hills Ln ................ LISTED & SOLD

7310 Sanderson Pl ......................... LISTED & SOLD

3 Noel Ln ...................................... LISTED & SOLD

7875 Shawnee Run Rd ........... LISTED & SOLD

9 Old Orchard Ln ............................ LISTED & SOLD

9665 Cunningham Ridge ....................... LISTED

6400 Shadyglen Rd.......................LISTED & SOLD

3 Abbey Place ................................................... LISTED

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8748 Old Indian Hill Rd........................................SOLD

8705 Kugler Mill Dr. ........................ LISTED & SOLD

8445 Eustis Farm Ln ............................................... SOLD

6350 S. Clippinger .......................................SOLD

7720 Given Rd. ................................. LISTED & SOLD *Indian Hill Schools

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Publisher’s Letter 4 Arts & Culture 6 What’s new at the museums: CAC, CAM and Taft 6 Aronoff’s Steve Loftin on 30 years of guiding change | By David Lyman 8 The A/C List 10

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

FOCUS ON: Workforce development 18 Pam Green, Easterseals Redwood position clients for workplace success | By John Faherty 18 Chamber’s Audrey Treasure connects region to jobs | By Shauna Steigerwald 20 Nonprofits nurturing region’s workforce 22

PRESENTING

DIAMOND

A VIE Ability Partner C

The Datebook 26

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Social calendar shines a spotlight on the movers and makers behind Greater Cincinnati’s fundraisers, friend-raisers and community events.

YEARLONG

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Gifts & Grants 30 Nonprofit News 32

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Snapshots 36 Nutcracker Luncheon serves sweet treat for Ballet 36 ‘Champions’ saluted at 4C gala 37 NKY Chamber Summit geared to career women 38 The Abercrumbie Group recognizes Men of Honor 38 CABVI taps The Force with ‘Star Wars’ dinner 39 Women Walking West marks decade 40 Leadership Council peers into future 41 Easterseals Redwood seeks brighter tomorrow 42 Adventure Crew celebrates communing with nature 43 Learning Grove gala focuses on education 44 Cuisine Art Cocktails connects food, art for CAC 45 UC Foundation spotlights philanthropy volunteers 46 Talbert House looks at possiblities for its camp 47 Boys & Girls Clubs celebrate Price Hill center 48 AFP fetes honorees at NPD Luncheon 49

GOLD

GIFT

PRINTING

The Last Word 50 Polly Campbell: The bittersweet nature of aging Cover photo: Pam Green of Easterseals Redwood; photo by Helen Adams for Movers & Makers

Movers & Makers

FEBRUARY 2026

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PUBLISHERS’ LETTER

N

ot long ago, we explored whether higher education’s purpose is to prepare employees for the workforce or to shape better human beings. But what about those who do not, or cannot, attend college? How do they gain the skills needed to compete in a complex work environment? That’s where nonprofits can shine – and those organizations are our focus this month.

Pam Green leads what is now one of the largest nonprofits in the region, especially in terms of employees. Easterseals in Ohio merged with Redwood in Kentucky several years ago to form a broad-based nonprofit helping people thrive – personally and professionally – in 21st-century America. John Faherty shares Pam’s story and how the organization contributes. (Page 18).

The Cincinnati Regional Chamber also plays a role in workforce development, helping nonprofits and organizations refine

Publishing schedule

Elizabeth & Thom Mariner, co-publishers

Digital edition & daily posts

MoversMakers.org Social media @moversmakerscincinnati Movers & Makers Magazine @moversmakers News/calendar submissions editor@moversmakers.org Advertising & distribution Thom Mariner, 513-543-0890 or tmariner@moversmakers.org Creative & accounting Elizabeth Mariner, emariner@moversmakers.org Free direct mail subscriptions and email newsletter sign up: moversmakers.org/subscribe

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FEBRUARY 2026

their services. Audrey Treasure leads that effort, and Shauna Steigerwald gives us a glimpse into both the process and Audrey’s journey to this important role. (Page 20) In October 1995, the Aronoff Center for the Arts opened on Walnut Street, transforming a city block. Thom’s a cappella group back then, VoiceBox, had the thrill of performing during opening week alongside dozens of other organizations. Today, the Aronoff thrives thanks to the vision and leadership of Steve Loftin, who has been there since day one. David Lyman talks with Steve about how he and his team have stood the test of time – and continue to captivate audiences. (Page 8) Speaking of tests of time, Polly Campbell recently entered her eighth decade. This month, she reflects on the bittersweetness of

Movers & Makers

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Readers are advised to confirm event dates and other important details and check for last-minute changes with the organizations or advertisers involved.

Publication of this magazine and its website (MoversMakers.org) does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of any information contained within, including advertisements and links.

Movers & Makers Publishing is an Ohio nonprofit operating under 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsorship.

Co-publishers Elizabeth and Thom Mariner at Music Hall for a recent Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra performance

aging in her Last Word column.

(Page 50) As we move into a new year filled with uncertainty, please know you can count on Movers & Makers. We aim to make our 31st year our biggest and best, and you can help us meet that goal. Use us.

Advocate for us. Support us. Help us help you.

For their work on this issue, our gratitude to:

• Casey Weldon, digital editor • Phil Fisher and Ray Cooklis, copy editors • Shasta Taber, volunteer proofreader • All the nonprofits that contributed news and photos.

Support comes from:

Thom Mariner & Elizabeth Mariner, co-publishers

Join M&M for our monthly

Mix & Mingle Mellotone Beer Project 1429 Race Street, Over-the-Rhine

Wednesday, Feb. 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Join us for light bites & happy hour-priced drinks.

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uts b e D i t a n n i P re se nti n g Ci n c Artis ts! l a n o i t p e c x E f o

CINCINNATI DEBUT

CINCINNATI DEBUT

Jaeden Izik-Dzurko

Ziggy & Miles

Sunday, March 8, 2026

Sunday, March 29, 2026

“…one of Canada’s most exciting classical music talents.”

“Personable, relaxed and utterly winning.”

PIANO

GUITAR DUO

— Anthony Miller, Maclean’s • In 2024, winner of the Leeds International Piano Competition, recipient of the Dame Fanny Waterman Gold Medal and awarded a BorlettiBuitoni Trust Fellowship • In 2022, first prize winner of the Hilton Head International Piano Competition, the Maria Canals International Music Competition and the 20th Paloma O’Shea Santander International Piano Competition • An experienced recitalist, he performs internationally, with performances widely broadcast

— Limelight • Australian brothers who became the first guitar duo to win the Young Concert Artists International Auditions • Have over 50 awards between them in guitar competitions • First Australians and first guitar duo accepted into—and graduated from—The Juilliard School’s prestigious Artist Diploma program • Their album, Sidekick, was featured as one of New York’s WQXR’s “Best New Classical Albums of 2023”

Both recitals at 3 PM at Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm Street, OTR Tickets:

MemorialHallOTR.org or 513-977-8838 Visit us on Facebook.

MatineeMusicaleCincinnati.org

ARTS & CULTURE

Arts & Culture Taft hosts rare exhibition of etchings by Rembrandt An exhibition of nearly 50 rarely shown etchings by the great Rembrandt van Rijn, not displayed outside of the Netherlands for nearly 30 years, comes to the Taft Museum of Art on Feb. 7.

“Rembrandt: Masterpieces in Black and White,” organized by the American Federation of Arts and the Rembrandt House Museum – the 17th-century artist’s former home and studio in Amsterdam – features portraits, self-portraits, scenes of daily life, landscapes, narrative works and still lifes created by the Dutch master.

The show also aims to document Rembrandt’s lasting influence on printmaking by including works by his contemporaries, plus later artists such as James McNeill Whistler

and Pablo Picasso.

“With this exhibition we hope to demonstrate that each of Rembrandt’s prints is a work of art in its own right,” said Epco Runia, head of collections at the Rembrandt House Museum and the show’s curator. “If you take the time to look at them closely, a whole world opens up to you: a world in black and white, but with enormous visual richness.”

Regarded as one of the greatest artists of all time, Rembrandt (1606-1669) created groundbreaking art not only in his oil paintings, but in the 300-plus etchings he made during his career.

The exhibition continues through May 17 at the Taft.  taftmuseum.org

Etchings by Rembrandt van Rijn, from the Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam: The Rat-Poison Peddler, 1632 The Shell (Conus Marmoreus), 1650

Shiva and Parvati on a tiger skin; Folio from the “Third” Rasamanjari, circa 1710–1715, India, National Museum of Asian Art

‘Longing’ exhibit at CAM connects viewers to art of Himalayas A colorful, multisensory exhibition of court paintings from India, from the 17th to the 19th centuries, comes to the Cincinnati Art Museum on Feb. 6. “Longing: Painting from the Pahari Kingdoms of the Northwest Himalayas” features more than 40 small paintings created for royal, noble and priestly patronage.

The artists used various techniques to produce these works, which often were given as gifts among nobility, families and political allies.

“This exhibition explores paintings through the lens of a shared human emotion,” said Ainsley M. Cameron, curator of South Asian art, Islamic art and antiquities at CAM. The art conveys the theme of “longing” in several ways – portraying

those who long to connect with the divine, individuals and couples who yearn for romance and rulers and noblemen who longed to be at the center of political control.

The exhibition adds a multisensory touch to some of the paintings, pairing them with scents, textures or musical soundscapes to heighten each work’s bhava (emotion or mood) and allow viewers to connect more deeply to the art.

Part of a research project connecting the South Asian art collections at CAM, the Cleveland Museum of Art and the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C., “Longing” will be on view through June 7 in Cincinnati.  cincinnatiartmuseum.org

CAC’s ‘Paloozanoire’ series returns with ‘FACES’ The Contemporary Arts Center brings the fourth installment of “Paloozanoire,” an exhibition series dedicated to celebrate the talent of diverse artists from across the nation, to downtown Cincinnati on Feb. 20.

The 2026 edition, titled “FACES: Don’t Get It Twisted – Untangling a Textured Legacy,” will focus on storytelling traditions around textured and ethnic hair across generations throughout the world.

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Movers & Makers

“FACES represents the evolution of our commitment to honoring the legacy, stories and artistic depth of underrepresented artists,” said Ray Ball, Paloozanoire co-founder and co-director.

Through painting, sculpture, photography, textile and installation, the exhibition aims to invite viewers to engage with the stories told by artists chosen from throughout the Midwest.

“FACES” will run at CAC through March 22.  contemporaryartscenter.org

From a previous Paloozanoire Black & Brown “FACES” exhibit

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ARTS & CULTURE

Movers & Makers 2026 7 CONWAY KATHERINE OCHOA | FEBRUARY PHOTOGRAPHY: AARON M.

ARTS & CULTURE

An arts center for everyone Steve Loftin’s three decades of guiding change, growth and community connection at the Aronoff Center

By David Lyman

T

he Aronoff Center for the Arts turns 30 this season. In those three decades, the Aronoff has gone from a sometimes-controversial development that some believed was part of a plan to abandon Music Hall to what is arguably the hub of the city center’s arts and entertainment. Some say that the opening of the Aronoff Center saved downtown Cincinnati.

That may be a bit of a stretch, but not by much.

It’s hard to remember what downtown Cincinnati looked and felt like in the early 1990s, especially Walnut Street between Sixth and Seventh streets. It was something of a wasteland. There were a couple of forgettable restaurants. And the Phoenix Bar. There was a popcorn store, too, and Batsakes Hats. But after dark, it felt like a no-man’s land.

All that changed when the Aronoff Center opened in October 1995. Suddenly, the dark and sometimes intimidating block was filled with activity, day and night. During its first year, the Aronoff attracted a staggering 514,000 people to various events there. And since its opening, the center has welcomed nearly 12.5 million people to more than 17,500 performances and events,

The Aronoff Center

becoming one of the region’s most visited arts venues.

Steve Loftin has been there for all of it.

Today, he’s the president of the Cincinnati Arts Association, the nonprofit group that oversees programming and management at both the Aronoff Center and Music Hall. He arrived in 1993 – as executive vice president – just one week after the first concrete was poured for the construction of the Aronoff.

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Movers & Makers

He has seen downtown undergo a radical evolution in that time. Department stores, once regarded as the anchors of downtown, have disappeared. Stadiums have been razed and then rebuilt. But the amount of new development has been overwhelming. There are loads of new hotels and offices and a booming residential market. The Contemporary Arts Center opened its new home across the street from the Aronoff in 2003. And despite the occasional high-profile restaurant closing, downtown’s dining scene is flourishing.

Just as important to the health of the city’s central core has been the growth of a robust Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, with its theaters, bars and many, many restaurants. It’s just a few blocks north of the Aronoff and patrons regularly make their way from one area to the other.

Guiding the Aronoff over hurdles During his 33 years at the Aronoff, the 68-year-old Loftin has shepherded the center through all manner of societal hurdles that he never could have foreseen. There was the unrest and subsequent entertainment boycott that followed the shooting of Timothy Thomas in OTR in 2001. Months later came the 9/11 attacks and the economic downturn that unfolded soon after. There was the Great Recession of 2007-09 and, just five years ago, the greatest challenge of all, the COVID pandemic.

“It has been quite a ride,” said the understated Loftin, his voice still carrying the gentle lilt of his Nashville upbringing. “Things happened that had never happened before. Broadway shows canceling? Major acts abandoning tours?

Unheard of. But it was happening three or four times a week in 2020.”

Attendance plummeted. During the 2018-19 season – the last full season before the pandemic – the Aronoff hosted 448 events and had a total attendance of 391,549. During the 2020-21 season, the numbers were shocking: just 36 events attended by 4,495 people.

“It was catastrophic,” said Loftin. “Worst of all was the uncertainty. With a recession, you know you’ll come out of it in a couple of years.

But with COVID, we had no idea how it would play out.”

At first, there was hope that things might return to normal in a couple of months.

“So we would reschedule shows on our

Steve Loftin

Steve doesn’t just run a building … He leads by compassion. He doesn’t make rash decisions. He is always considering what is best for the audiences and for the employees. He is a big reason that the Aronoff has been so successful for so long.

– Genevieve Holt, Broadway Across America calendar,” said Genevieve Holt, vice presidentMidwest of Broadway Across America, which presents the touring Broadway productions at the Aronoff. “But when the pandemic kept growing, we would shut down for a little longer.

Everybody was always reaching out and trying to get new dates on the calendar.”

It sounds chaotic. But it was better than simply closing down and waiting for the pandemic to end. Running an institution like the Aronoff depends on a constant supply of shows in the pipeline. If you shutter that pipeline, getting it up and running again will take a lot of time.

“We didn’t ticket anything for 18 months,” said Loftin. “But in the background, we were in constant touch with tours and performing companies. We were lining up shows not knowing when they might actually be able to perform. …

So when the state finally said OK, everything

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ARTS & CULTURE

moved ahead at warp speed.”

On Aug. 28, 2021, the Aronoff’s Procter & Gamble Hall re-opened with Johnny Mathis’ “65 Years of Romance” tour.

There was still much uncertainty. Would audiences feel safe sharing a room with 2,700 strangers? The state was still requiring people to wear masks. How would audiences respond to that?

“There was so much that we couldn’t know,” said Loftin.

He needn’t have worried. The Johnny Mathis show was “within inches” of being sold out. But a bigger test would come six weeks later when the first Broadway in Cincinnati presentation opened.

It was “Pretty Woman” and was scheduled to run for two weeks.

“We stood out on the sidewalk listening to the audience for those first few shows,” said Loftin.

“People were almost crying, they were so happy to be back. They had gotten a lot less afraid.”

Two weeks after “Pretty Woman” closed, “Wicked” opened a three-week engagement.

“Once we started, we didn’t look back,” said Loftin. “People were ready. Fortunately, so were we.”

A remarkable comeback Today, Broadway in Cincinnati is enjoying its highest-ever subscriber base. And overall Aronoff attendance is likely to come very close to 400,000. It’s something that even the most optimistic observers could not have predicted back in the 1990s.

The decades before the Aronoff’s opening were filled with wrecking balls tearing down one downtown theater after another. The bestknown was the Albee. But there were many others within a few blocks of Fountain Square – the Grand, the Family, the Capitol, the Times and the Keith’s among them. The previous home of touring Broadway shows, the Shubert, was knocked down in January 1976. It sat kitty-corner from where the Aronoff is today, in the space now occupied by a CVS pharmacy.

Many things contributed to the Aronoff’s success: Good timing.

Good location. Inviting architecture. An abundance of available “product.”

But Loftin and his staff have been particularly adept at knowing what audiences want and what they might be willing to take risks on. The Broadway shows are one thing. But the Aronoff is home to hundreds of other events and several other resident companies: Mutual Dance Theatre, Cincinnati Music Theatre, Revolution Dance Theatre, Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative and Exhale Dance Tribe.

There are the always fascinating exhibitions in the Weston Art Gallery and a remarkably active schedule of educational programming. The Cincinnati Arts Association presents many performances of its own. This season includes everything from a Simon & Garfunkel tribute show and “An Evening with David Sedaris” to a South African youth choir and “The Jokers of Magic.”

If it sounds as if Loftin is trying to make the Aronoff into a place that offers all things to all people, you’d be right. And, for the most part, he has been enormously successful at it.

“Steve doesn’t just run a building,” said Holt. “He is just what he seems. He leads by compassion.

He doesn’t make rash decisions.

He is always considering what is best for the audiences and for the employees. He is a big reason that the Aronoff has been so successful for so long.”

Spend a little time with Loftin and you will quickly understand that he is more than a person who has great affection for the arts and entertainment. He considers himself a steward of everything that takes place at the Aronoff.

“We are an arts center of and for this community,” Loftin said. “And when I say ‘community,’ I mean the entire community. Everyone.

We believe in building relationships – with as many people as we can. That’s why the Aronoff was built. And, as long as I am here, that is what we will do.” 

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The A/C List Also online at moversmakers.org ARTS & CULTURE | The List

Cultural Exhibits/Tours American Construction Toy Museum | Norwood. actmuseum.org Preservation and history of 3D building toys American Legacy Tours | Over-the-Rhine. 859-951-8560. americanlegacytours.com Historic tours in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky American Sign Museum | Camp Washington. 513-541-6366. americansignmuseum.org Saturdays, noon & 2 p.m. & Sundays, 2 p.m. Guided museum tours Archaeological Research Institute | Lawrenceburg. 812-290-2966. exploreari.org Hands-on educational experiences Behringer-Crawford Museum | Devou Park, Covington.

859-491-4003. bcmuseum.org Artifacts and history of Northern Kentucky Betts House | West End. 513-651-0734. facebook.com/thebettshouse By appointment only. Oldest home in Cincinnati Brewing Heritage Trail Tour Center | ​ Over-the-Rhine. 513-604-9812. brewingheritagetrail.org Exploring Queen City brewing history Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame | Brady Music Center, The Banks. cincyblackmusicwalkoffame.org Open daily, 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Queen City contributions to Black music Cincinnati Fire Museum | Downtown.

513-621-5553. cincyfiremuseum.com Permanent collection. Historic artifacts and equipment Cincinnati Food Tours | Over-the-Rhine. 513-602-5602. cincinnatifoodtours.com Exploring Queen City food culture Cincinnati Home & Garden Show | Cincinnati Convention Center, downtown. cincinnatihomeandgardenshow.com

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Movers & Makers

Feb. 20-22 & Feb. 27-March 1. Home improvement and landscaping show Cincinnati Museum Center | Queensgate. 513-287-7000. cincymuseum.org Fridays-Sundays. Union Terminal Rotunda Tours Thru April 12. “Auschwitz. Not long ago.

Not far away” Cincinnati Nature Center | Milford. cincynature.org Nature trails and ponds amidst oldgrowth forest Cincinnati Observatory | Hyde Park. cincinnatiobservatory.org Oldest professional observatory in the United States

As part of its first domestic tour, Mutual Dance Theatre presents Yue Yin Dance Company, Feb. 20-21 at the Aronoff’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater.

Heritage Village Museum | Sharonville.

513-563-9484. heritagevillagecincinnati.org Select Saturdays, 7-10 p.m. Spirits

by Starlight Ghost Tours

National VOA Museum of Broadcasting | West Chester.

513-777-0027. voamuseum.org Radio’s golden age and Cincinnati’s role in America’s global voice

Findlay Market | Over-the-Rhine. findlaymarket.org Ohio’s oldest continuously operated public market

Holocaust & Humanity Center | Cincinnati Museum Center, Queensgate.

513-487-3055. holocaustandhumanity.org Media, artifacts, art and interactive exhibits commemorating the Holocaust

Newport Aquarium | Newport. newportaquarium.com Showcase of exotic aquatic creatures

Friends of Music Hall | Music Hall, Over-the-Rhine.

513-621-2787. friendsofmusichall.org Indoor and outdoor tours of Queen City landmark

Imperial Theatre | Mohawk, Over-the-Rhine. imperialmohawk.org 2nd Saturday, 10 a.m. Tour of theater being restored

Cincinnati Type & Print Museum | Lower Price Hill. cincinnatitypeprintmuseum.org Permanent collection of equipment, tools and artifacts

Glendale Heritage Preservation | Village Square, Glendale.

513-771-8722. glendaleheritage.org Permanent exhibit. Displays of Glendale’s history Great Parks | Miami Whitewater Forest. greatparks.org Feb. 7, 10 a.m. Winter Hike Series Greater Cincinnati Police Museum | Pendleton. 513-300-3664. police-museum.org Permanent collection. Historic artifacts and equipment Harriet Beecher Stowe House | Walnut Hills. 513-751-0651. stowehousecincy.org Historic family home of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” author and later a Green Book location

Krohn Conservatory | Eden Park. 513421-4086. cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks Thru April 19. “Moonlight Menagerie” Lloyd Library and Museum | Downtown. 513-721-3707. lloydlibrary.org Permanent exhibit. George Rieveschl Jr.: History of Pharmaceutical Chemistry Thru April 24. “The Botany of Beverages” Milford Historical Society | Promont, Milford. 513-248-0324. milfordhistory.net Permanent exhibit. Historical displays of art, artifacts and more.

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center | The Banks.

513-333-7500. freedomcenter.org Permanent collection exploring themes of individual freedom

Skirball Museum | Hebrew Union College, Clifton.

513-221-1875. csm.huc.edu Permanent exhibit: “An Eternal People: The Jewish Experience” Taft Museum of Art | Lytle Park, downtown. 513-241-0343. taftmuseum.org Historic home, art collection and exhibits Tri-State Warbird Museum | Batavia. tri-statewarbirdmuseum.org Permanent exhibits of military and historic aviation Valley View Nature Preserve | Milford. valleyviewcampus.org Preserved 190-acre farm and open land Vent Haven Museum | Ft. Mitchell. 859-341-0461. venthaven.org By appointment only. World’s only museum dedicated to ventriloquism White Water Shaker Village | Harrison. whitewatervillage.org Preserved historic village

ARTS & CULTURE | The List William Howard Taft National Historic Site | Mt. Auburn. nps.gov/wiho/index.htm Historic home of U.S. president and Supreme Court justice

Dance Brady Music Center | The Banks. bradymusiccenter.com Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m. Dancing with the Stars: Live!

Cincinnati Ballet | Music Hall, Over-the-Rhine. 513-621-5219. cballet.org Feb. 13-21. Tchaikovsky: “Swan Lake” Clifton Cultural Arts Center | Clifton.

513-497-2860. cliftonculturalarts.org Feb. 8, 2 p.m. CCM Youth Ballet: “Winter Dances” DE LA Dance Company | Anderson Center Theater, Anderson Twp. 513-871-0914. deladancecompany.org Feb. 3-15. “Dance Cincinnati26” Mutual Dance Theatre | Jarson-Kaplan Theater, Aronoff Center, downtown.

513-494-6526. mutualdance.org Feb. 20-21. Yue Yin Dance Company Shen Yun | Procter & Gamble Hall, Aronoff Center, downtown. shenyun.com Feb. 6-7. Celebration of China’s cultural heritage in dance and classical music

Fairs/Festivals/Markets 20th Century Cincinnati | Sharonville Convention Center, Sharonville. queencityshows.com Feb. 20-22. Mid-century modern design and pop culture show Covington Farmers Market | Braxton Brewing Company, Covington. greatneighborhoods.org Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Regional market Northside Farmers Market | Heart of Northside, Northside. northsidefm.org Wednesdays, 4-6 p.m. Regional food and beverage winter market

Film Cincinnati Museum Center | Queensgate. 513-287-7000. cincymuseum.org/omnimax Now playing/OMNIMAX. “D-Day: Normandy 1944” • “Ohio: Wild at Heart”

Cincinnati World Cinema | Garfield Theatre, downtown.

859-957-3456. cincyworldcinema.org Feb. 6-8. “The Voice of Hind Rajab” Feb. 20-March 15. Oscar Shorts Ludlow Museum and Historic Society | Second Sight Spirits, Ludlow. preserveludlow.org Feb. 24, 7 p.m. “Journey Across the Old Cincinnati Southern Railway” Mayerson JCC, Jewish & Israeli Film Festival | 513-761-7500. mayersonjcc.org Jan. 31, 7:30 p.m. “Ethan Bloom” (Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine) Feb. 1, 1 p.m. “Ethan Bloom” (Encore) Feb. 3, 7 p.m. “Always Together” (Sycamore High School) Feb. 5, 7 p.m. “Frontier” (Mayerson JCC) Feb. 9, 7 p.m. “A Letter to David” (Mayerson JCC) Feb. 11, 7 p.m. “The Sea” (The Schiff Center, The Seven Hills School) Feb. 12, 7 p.m. “Matchmaking 2” (Kenwood Theatre) Feb. 15, 7 p.m. “An American Tail” (Mayerson JCC) Feb. 17, 7 p.m. “Art Spiegelman: Disaster Is My Muse” (Cincinnati Art Museum) Feb. 18, 7 p.m. “Among Neighbors” (Woodward Theater, Over-the-Rhine) Feb. 22, 3 p.m. “Midas Man” (Mayerson JCC) Feb. 24, 7 p.m. “Once Upon My Mother” (Kenwood Theatre) Feb. 26, 7 p.m. “The Property” (Union Terminal)

Harriet Beecher Stowe House | Walnut Hills. 513-751-0651. stowehousecincy.org 3rd Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. Open mic with Zeda Stew Feb. 5, 5:30 p.m. Women of Beecher Place Oral History premiere Feb. 11, 7 p.m. Voices for Truth Literature Discussion: Ralph Ellison “Invisible Man” Feb. 22, 4 p.m. Semi-Colon Club: “Six Triple Eight”

“Reckoning with the Past: The Historical Poetry of Frank X Walker” Feb. 17, 6 p.m. Discussion: Lily Meyer “The End of Romance” Feb. 24, 6 p.m. Discussion: Sarah Domet “Everything Lost Returns”

Holocaust & Humanity Center | Cincinnati Museum Center, Queensgate.

513-487-3055. holocaustandhumanity.org Feb. 22, 2 p.m. “Enemies of the State: The Nazi Persecution of LGBTQ+ People”

Poetry at Artifact | Northside. facebook.com/poetryatsitwells First Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m. Poetry Night (Urban Artifact)

Joseph-Beth Booksellers | Rookwood Pavilion, Norwood.

513-396-8960. josephbeth.com Feb. 3, 7 p.m. Discussion: Christen Randall “According to Plan” Feb. 22, 4 p.m. Discussion: Amanda McCracken “When Longing Becomes Your Lover” Mercantile Library | Downtown.

513-621-0717. mercantilelibrary.com Feb. 4, 6 p.m. Discussion: Frank X Walker

Originary Arts Initiative | originaryartsinitiative@gmail.com Mondays, 12:15-1:15 p.m. Writer’s Table with Dick Hague (virtual)

Swell | Camp Washington. swellartcafe.com Literary events, salons and visual arts The Well | Walnut Hills. thewell.world Feb. 18, 3 p.m. Mindful Poetry Moments Gathering: Gifted Johnson-Wilkinson (virtual) Women Writing for (a) Change | Silverton. 513-272-1171. womenwriting.org 2nd Tuesday, 6 p.m. Open mic night Feb. 20, 7 p.m. Reading and Q&A: Ellen Austin-Li

Woodward Theater | Over-the-Rhine.

513-345-7981. woodwardtheater.com Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m. “Who in the Hell is Regina Jones”

Literary/Lectures Barnes & Noble | Virtual. 513-972-5146. stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/3408 Feb. 3, 3 p.m. Freida McFadden “Dear Debbie” • LJ Ross “Impostor” Feb. 12, 7 p.m. Kerri Maniscalco “Throne of Nightmares”

January 31 - February 26 Ticket sales open January 7, 2026 LEARN MORE & BUY TICKETS AT

Behringer-Crawford Museum | Devou Park, Covington. 859-491-4003. bcmuseum.org Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. NKY History Hour (virtual). Resumes in February

MayersonJCC.org/Film

Scan to learn more and buy tickets!

Fitton Center | Hamilton.

513-863-8873. fittoncenter.org Feb. 4, noon. Celebrating Self Speaker Series: Longbottom Bird Ranch Movers & Makers

FEBRUARY 2026

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ARTS & CULTURE | The List Word of Mouth Cincinnati | Over-the-Rhine. motrpub.com Final Sunday, 6 p.m. Open poetry mic

Music CEMF: Denotes Cincinnati Early Music Festival event Bach Ensemble at St. Thomas | St. Thomas Church, Terrace Park.

513-831-2052. bachensemble.org Feb. 8, 5 p.m. Bach Vespers Bogart’s | Short Vine, Corryville. bogarts.com Feb. 5, 7 p.m. Bayker Blankenship Feb. 13, 7 p.m. The Wombats Feb. 20, 6 p.m. Badflower Feb. 26, 7 p.m. Kameron Marlowe Brady Music Center | The Banks, downtown. bradymusiccenter.com Feb. 15, 7 p.m. Descendents Feb. 23, 7 p.m. Excision Feb. 27, 8:30 p.m. Miguel Caffè Vivace, Jazz Vivace Series | Walnut Hills. 513-601-9897. caffevivace.com. jazzvivace.org Feb. 6-7, 7 & 9 p.m. Jeff Hamilton Trio Feb. 20, 7 & 9 p.m. Pat Bianchi Organ Trio Feb. 21, 7 & 9 p.m. NEA Jazz Master Gary Bartz Feb. 24, 7 & 9 p.m. Great American Crooners Feb. 27, 7 & 9 p.m. Robin Eubanks Feb. 28, 7 & 9 p.m. Stephanie Nakasian w/ Phil DeGreg Trio Chamber Music Cincinnati | Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine.

513-342-6870. cincychamber.org Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m. 2025 Grammy winners: Karen Slack & Michelle Cann Christ Church Cathedral | Downtown.

513-621-1817. cincinnaticathedral.com Feb 1, 5 p.m. Choral Evensong Feb. 15, 4 p.m. Theodicy Jazz Collective ◆ Music Live at Lunch Feb. 3, 12:10 p.m. CCM harpsichord and organ studios Feb. 10, 12:10 p.m. CEMF: Cincinnati Recorder Consort Feb. 17, 12:10 p.m. Lagniappe Feb. 24, 12:10 p.m. CEMF: Moyen Age & Cantus Flores

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Christ Church Glendale | Glendale.

513-771-1544. christchurchglendale.org Feb. 5, 12:05 p.m. Early music by Maksym Mahlay Feb. 15, 4 p.m. Choral Evensong Cincinnati Arts Association | Procter & Gamble Hall, Aronoff Center, downtown.

513-621-2787. cincinnatiarts.org Feb. 1, 6:30 p.m. Diana Krall Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m. Ndlovu Youth Choir Cincinnati Camerata | Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington. cincinnaticamerata.org Feb. 15, 3 p.m. CEMF: “Postcards from Paris” Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra | 513-280-8181. cincinnatijazz.org Feb. 8, 2 p.m. Jazz@First: “Travels: The Metheny/Mays Legacy” Brad Myers, guitar (First Unitarian Church, Avondale) Feb. 26, 7 p.m. Big Band Series: “More Than Meets the Ear: Trombonist Robin Eubanks” (The Redmoor, Mt. Lookout Square) Cincinnati Early Music Festival (CEMF) | cincinnatiearlymusicfestival.org Jan. 30, 7 p.m. Christopher Holman, harpsichord (St. Gertrude Parish, Madeira) Feb. 7, 3 p.m. Tapestry Concert (Cincinnati Public Radio, Evanston) Feb. 8, 4:15 p.m. Micaela Schmitz: “A Saint of Our Time: A Concert Celebrating Carlo Acutis” (St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Terrace Park) Feb. 10, 6:45 p.m. J.S. Bach’s Sacred Soprano Arias: Maren Hrivnak (Mary Emery Hall, CCM) Feb. 11, 7 p.m. Augustin Pfleger, Passionsmusik of 1670 (Sacred Heart, Camp Washington) Feb. 14, 10 a.m. Early Music Sing-A-Long (Church of the Redeemer, Hyde Park) Feb. 15, 3 p.m. Micaela Schmitz: “A Saint of Our Time: A Concert Celebrating Carlo Acutis” (St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Columbia Tusculum) Feb. 15, 6:30 p.m. Matthew Geerlings, organ & Solemn Vespers feat. Athenaeum Chorale & Latin Schola (Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Mt. Washington) Feb. 21, 4:30 p.m. Ars Audax: “Salt of the Earth” (Mother of God, Covington) Feb. 22, 3 p.m. Micaela Schmitz: “A Saint of Our Time: A Concert Celebrating Carlo Acutis” (St. Catharine of Sienna Church, Westwood) Feb. 27, 7 p.m. Christina Hazen: “A Mother’s Sorrow” (St. Gertrude Parish, Madeira)

Soprano Karen Slack and pianist Michelle Cann grace Memorial Hall with songs by Franz Schubert, Maurice Ravel and Florence Price. Chamber Music Cincinnati hosts, Feb. 26.

Cincinnati Museum Center | Queensgate.

513-287-7000. cincymuseum.org Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m. Music in the Museum: Johannes Skoog, organ, with choirs of Christ Church Cathedral and St. Thomas Episcopal Church Cincinnati Song Initiative | Cincinnati Public Radio, Evanston. cincinnatisonginitiative.org Feb. 8, 3 p.m. “Liebeslieder Salon” Cincinnati String Project | cincinnatistringproject.org Jan. 31, 5 p.m. “Cornerstones” (All Saints Episcopal Church, Pleasant Ridge) Feb. 1, 5 p.m. “Cornerstones” (Temple Sholom, Blue Ash) Cincinnati Symphony & Pops | Music Hall, Over-the-Rhine.

513-381-3300. cincinnatisymphony.org Feb. 6-7. (CSO) Mahler Symphony No. 4 Tabita Berglund, conductor; Camilla Tilling, soprano Feb. 7, 10:30 a.m. (Lollipops) “Peter and the Wolf” Feb. 28-March 1. (CSO) “Beethoven & Ravel” Samuel Lee, conductor; JeanEfflam Bavouzet, piano Classical Revolution | The Loon, Northside. classicalrevolutioncincinnati.com Feb. 1, 7 p.m. CEMF: Early Music Rev College-Conservatory of Music | University of Cincinnati. 513-556-4183. ccm.uc.edu Feb. 1, 4 p.m. Wind Symphony: “Pictures at an Exhibition” (Corbett Auditorium) Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m. Jazz Orchestra: “The Music of Pat Metheny” (Corbett Auditorium) Feb. 5, 7:30 p.m. Concert Orchestra: “Legends and Laments” (Corbett Auditorium) Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m. Wind Ensemble: “Make

Our Garden Grow” (Corbett Auditorium) Feb. 8, 2 p.m. Avan Yu, piano (Werner Recital Hall) Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m. Ariel Quartet: “Beethoven and Berg” (Werner Recital Hall) Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m. Wind Symphony & Youth Wind Ensemble: “Old Songs Remembered” (Corbett Auditorium) Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m. Chamber Choir: “Seven Last Words From The Cross” (St. Xavier Church, downtown) Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m. Jazz Lab Band: “Blues, Blues and More Blues” (Corbett Auditorium) Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m. Brian Hong, viola (Werner Recital Hall) Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m. Philharmonia: “Midlife Crisis” (Corbett Auditorium) Feb. 22, 2 p.m. Polina Bespalko, piano (Werner Recital Hall) Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m. Brass Choir: “Brass Showcase” (Corbett Auditorium) Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m. Dror Biran, piano (Werner Recital Hall) Collegium Cincinnati | Christ Church Cathedral, downtown. collegiumcincinnati.org Feb. 13, 7 p.m. CEMF: Motets of J.S. Bach Concertnova | ARCO, Price Hill. concertnova.com Feb. 22, 4:30 p.m. “Alma Latina,” curated by cellist Nicholas Mariscal DuoMente | Christ the King Lutheran Church, West Chester. duomente.org Feb. 27, 7 p.m. “Winter Café” Ensemble Con Fuoco | ensembleconfuoco.com Feb. 28, 7 p.m. CEMF: “Buxtehude & Shaw” (St. Mary Church, Hyde Park) March 1, 3 p.m. Encore (St. Catharine of Siena, Westwood)

ARTS & CULTURE | The List Fitton Center | Hamilton.

513-863-8873. fittoncenter.org Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m. Hot Magnolias Greater Cincinnati Guitar Society | First Unitarian Church, Avondale. cincinnatiguitarsociety.org Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m. CEMF: Ronn McFarlane, lute The Härth Room | Downtown. theharthroom.com/music Wednesday-Saturday evenings.

Live jazz Heritage Bank Center | Downtown. heritagebankcenter.com Feb. 4, 8 p.m. Ghost Feb. 20, 8 p.m. B2K & Bow Wow Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church | Hyde Park.

513-871-1345. hydeparkchurch.org Feb. 22, 4 p.m. Karol Mossakowski, organ The Jazz Spoon | Forest Park. thejazzspoon.com Friday and Saturday evenings.

Live jazz

Feb. 28, 10:30 a.m. (Heritage Presbyterian Church, Mason) Longworth-Anderson Series | Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine. longworth-andersonseries.com Feb. 15, 8 p.m. Christian McBride & Ursa Major Feb. 19, 8 p.m. Esperanza Spalding Ludlow Garage | Clifton Gaslight District. ludlowgaragecincinnati.com Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m. The Lovin’ Spoonful Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m. Alex Bugnon & Jeff Kashiwa Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m. Classic Stones Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m. Nirvana Grunge Fest Madison Theater | Covington.

859-491-2444. madisontheater.com Feb. 7, 7 p.m. Marsellus Wallace Feb. 12, 7 p.m. The Browning Feb. 13, 6 p.m. Hunxho Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m. Galactic Empire Feb. 21, 8 p.m. Exhorder Mason Symphony Orchestra | Kings Island Theater. masonsymphonyorchestra.org

Feb. 22, 5 p.m. “Coco” in concert with guitar soloists Tim Berens and David Ferrara MegaCorp Pavilion at Ovation | Newport. promowestlive.com Feb. 20, 7 p.m. Vincent Mason Memorial Hall | Over-the-Rhine.

513-977-8838. memorialhallotr.com Feb. 2, 7 p.m. Eric Lechliter “Hard Bop Heroes” Feb. 9, 7 p.m. Mandy Gaines “Love Makes the World a Better Place” Feb. 13, 8 p.m. On A Winter’s Night Feb. 16, 7 p.m. Mambo Madness Feb. 20, 8 p.m. Solas Feb. 21, 8 p.m. Cincinnati Transit Authority Feb. 23, 7 p.m. Jordan Pollard Trio “The Music of Ahmad Jamal” Musica Sacra | Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Hyde Park.

513-385-5583. musica-sacra.org Feb. 22, 3 p.m. 60th anniversary concert, Morten Lauridsen’s “Lux Aeterna” and other sacred anthems

Queen City Balladeers | Leo Coffeehouse, Zion United Church of Christ, Norwood. queencityballadeers.org Feb. 1, 6:40 p.m. Cigar Box Scott, Dave Gilligan and Laurelview Ramblers Feb. 8, 6 p.m. Open mic Feb. 15, 6:40 p.m. Ellie Fabe, April CombsMann, Scott Nutter & Jeff Gushin Feb. 22, 6:40 p.m. Ricky Nye, Lindsay Rogers and Dynamic Duo Radio Artifact | Queen City Artifact, Northside. radioartifact.com Sundays, 4 p.m. Open jam Thursdays, 7 p.m. Open jazz Schwartz’s Point | Five Points, Over-the-Rhine. thepointclub.weebly.com Thursdays-Sundays. Live jazz Seven Hills Baroque | Location TBA. 7hillsbaroque.org Feb. 22, 3 p.m. A Celebration of Voices Taft Theatre | Downtown. tafttheatre.org Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m. New Wave Orchestra Feb. 14, 8 p.m. Drink The Sea Feb. 18, 7:30 p.m. Rush Tribute Project Feb. 22, 8 p.m. The Lone Bellow Feb. 28, 8 p.m. Joe Bonamassa

Kentucky Symphony Orchestra | Graves Concert Hall, Highland Heights.

859-431-6216. kyso.org Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m. “Brushes and Bows” Linton Chamber Music | 513-381-6868. lintonmusic.org Feb. 1, 4 p.m. “American Stories” (First Unitarian Church, Avondale) Feb. 2, 7:30 p.m. “American Stories” (Congregation Beth Adam, Loveland) Feb. 22, 4 p.m. “Dvořák’s Bohemian Spirit” (First Unitarian Church, Avondale) Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m. “Dvořák’s Bohemian Spirit” (Congregation Beth Adam, Loveland) Linton Peanut Butter & Jam Sessions, Winter Winds | 513-381-6868. peanutbutterandjam.org Feb. 4, 6 p.m. (Living God Church, Avondale) Feb. 5, 6 p.m. (Cincinnati Public Radio, Evanston) Feb. 7, noon (Cincinnati Art Museum) Feb. 14, 10:30 a.m. (Kennedy Heights Arts Center) Feb. 19, 6 p.m. (Child Focus - The Carter Center, Eastgate) Feb. 21, 10:30 a.m. (Union Presbyterian Church) Feb. 23, 10:30 a.m. (North Central Branch Library)

Photo: James Wallace Black. Carte-de-visite of the Jubilee Singers.1872.

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Organized by the National Museum of African American Music with significant financial support provided by Lilly Endowment, Inc.

Movers & Makers

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ARTS & CULTURE | The List TempleLive at River Front Live | East End. riverfrontlivecincy.com Feb. 7, 8 p.m. Rusko Feb. 27, 8 p.m. Aaron Watson

Feb. 5-7, 8 p.m. CEMF: Cavalli: “L’egisto” (Cohen Studio Theater) Feb. 26-28. Poulenc: “Les Mamelles De Tirésias” + Weill: “Mahagonny Songspiel” (Cohen Studio Theater)

Trinity Episcopal Church | Covington.

859-431-1786. trinitycovington.org Feb. 18, 12:15 p.m. Midday Musical Menu: Students of CCM Organ Department Woodward Theater | Over-the-Rhine.

513-345-7981 woodwardtheater.com Feb. 27, 8 p.m. Wussy Feb. 28, 8 p.m. Sylmar Xavier Music Series | Gallagher Center Theater. 513-745-3161. xavier.edu/musicseries Feb. 26, 8 p.m. Nate Smith, bandleader, composer, producer and drummer

Opera CEMF: Denotes Cincinnati Early Music Festival event

Theater/Comedy Angelico Project | Corryville. angelicoproject.org 1st Wednesday, 7-9 p.m. Improv Night Beechmont Players | Anderson Township. 513-233-2468. beechmontplayers.org Feb. 5-16. “Love Letters”

CenterStage Players | Gabriel’s Corner, Over-the-Rhine. centerstageplayersinc.com Feb. 20-28. “Transorbital”

Drama Workshop | Cheviot.

513-598-8303. thedramaworkshop.org Feb. 27-March 15. “Silent Sky”

Brady Music Center | The Banks. bradymusiccenter.com Feb. 13, 8 p.m. Wanda Sykes, comedian

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati | Emery Theatre, Over-the-Rhine. 513569-8080 x10. thechildrenstheatre.com Feb. 20-March 8. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical”

Ensemble Theatre | Over-the-Rhine.

513-421-3555. ensemblecincinnati.org Thru Feb. 22. “Where We Stand”

Broadway Across America | Procter & Gamble Hall, Aronoff Center, downtown.

513-721-3344. cincinnati.broadway.com Feb. 10-22. “Shucked” The Carnegie | Covington.

859-491-2030. thecarnegie.com Feb. 27-March 8. “Anything Goes”

College-Conservatory of Music | University of Cincinnati.

513-556-4183. ccm.uc.edu

CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL Sublime music in worship and concert Sunday, February 1 | 5:00 pm Choral Evensong (Pre-Service Organ Recital 4:30 pm) Friday, February 13 | 7:00 pm Bach’s Motets (Collegium Cincinnati) Sunday, February 15 | 4:00 pm Theodicy Jazz Collective

Learn more: cincinnaticathedral.com/music

phone address email website

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“Where We Stand,” a poetic, interactive solo-theater piece

by Donnetta Lavinia Grays, stars Torie Wiggins (left) and runs through Feb. 22 at Ensemble Theatre.

513-621-1817 318 E. 4th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 hello@cccath.org cincinnaticathedral.com

Cincinnati Arts Association | JarsonKaplan Theater, Aronoff Center. downtown.

513-621-2787. cincinnatiarts.org Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m. “The Super Pickle: A Hilarious Musical Parody” Cincinnati Landmark Productions | Covedale Center, Price Hill. 513-241-6550. cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com Thru Feb. 15. “Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story” Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative | Fifth Third Theater, Aronoff Center, downtown. 513-621-ARTS. cincyplaywrights.org Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m. “Welcoming Echoes”

by Paul Bergman • Four 10-minute plays

by Roger Collins

Fairfield Footlighters | Fairfield Community Arts Center.

513-867-5348. fairfieldfootlighters.org Feb. 13-15. “The Nerd” Falcon Theatre | Newport.

513-479-6783. falcontheater.net Thru Feb. 7. “A Girl In School Uniform (Walks into a Bar)” Fitton Center | Hamilton.

513-863-8873. fittoncenter.org Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m. My Nose Turns Red Youth Circus Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m. “Crimes of the Centuries” Footlighters | Stained Glass Theatre, Newport. 859-291-7464. footlighters.org Thru Feb. 15. “A Streetcar Named Desire”

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company | Otto Budig Theater, Over-the-Rhine.

513-381-2273. cincyshakes.com Thru Feb. 15. “A Soldier’s Play”

The Funny Bone | Liberty Township. liberty.funnybone.com Weekly comedy shows

Clifton Cultural Arts Center | Clifton.

513-497-2860. cliftonculturalarts.org Feb. 7, 8 p.m. “Highly Improvable”

Go Bananas Comedy Club | Montgomery. gobananascomedy.com Weekly comedy shows

College-Conservatory of Music | University of Cincinnati. 513-556-4183. ccm.uc.edu Feb. 12-14. “Rope” (Corbett Theater) Feb. 27-March 8. “Anything Goes” (The Carnegie, Covington)

Greater Hamilton Civic Theatre | Hamilton. 513-737-PLAY. ghctplay.org Feb. 12-15. “The 39 Steps”

Commonwealth Sanctuary | Dayton, Ky. commonwealthsanctuary.com Weekly comedy shows

Hard Rock Casino | Pendleton. hardrockcasinocincinnati.com Feb. 14, 8 p.m. Marlon Wayans, comedian Heritage Bank Center | Downtown. heritagebankcenter.com Feb. 14, 8 p.m. We Them One’s Comedy Tour

ARTS & CULTURE | The List Improv Cincinnati | Clifton Comedy Theatre, Clifton. improvcincinnati.com Thursday-Saturday evenings. Comedy shows

Village Players | Fort Thomas.

859-392-0500. villageplayers.org Feb. 19-28. “Love, Loss, and What I Wore”

Know Theatre | Over-the-Rhine.

513-300-5669. knowtheatre.com Feb. 9 & 23. “Serials!” Season 16 Feb. 12-21. “Constellations”

Xavier University Theatre | Gallagher Center Theater.

513-745-3939. xavier.edu/theatre-program Feb. 12-15. “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised]” Feb. 19-22. “Slut Shaming”

Lebanon Theatre Company | Lebanon. 513-932-8300. ltcplays.com Feb. 27-March 8. “Love/Sick” Lumos Players | Lakeview UCC, Maineville. lumosplayers.com Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m. Playwrights Script Reading Series: Four 10-Minute Plays Miami University Performing Arts Series | Oxford. 513-529-3200. miamioh.edu/cca/performing-arts-series Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m. “Spamilton: An American Parody” Northern Kentucky University | Stauss Theatre. 859-572-5464. theatre.nku.edu Feb. 13-22. “Eurydice”

Visual Art

Baker Hunt Art & Cultural Center | Covington. 859-431-0020. bakerhunt.org Thru Feb. 20. DBL Art Show

The Annex Gallery | Pendleton. annexgallery.org Thru Feb. 14. “Dossier Havana – Photographs by Pedro Abascal” Feb. 25-March 27. Ciro Quintana exhibition. Reception: Feb. 28, 1-3 p.m.

The Barn | Mariemont.

513-272-3700. thebarninmariemont. org Feb. 6-13. The Presidents’ Exhibition. Reception: Feb. 6, 6-8:30 p.m.

Feb. 20-March 3. Pollinators Project: Bee Creative Exhibit. Reception: Feb. 20, 6-8:30 p.m.

Art Academy of Cincinnati | Over-theRhine. 513-562-6262. artacademy.edu Thru March 6. AAC Faculty Exhibition 2026 Art of the Brick | Downtown. theartofthebrickexpo.com/cincinnati Thru Feb. 28. Traveling LEGO art exhibit

21c Museum Hotel | Downtown.

513-578-6600. 21cmuseumhotels.com Thru August. “Fragile Figures: Beings and Time”

The Carnegie | Covington.

859-491-2030. thecarnegie.com Thru March 7. “All Four Seasons in Equal Measure”

Art on Vine | Rhinegeist Brewery, Over-the-Rhine. artonvinecincy.com Feb. 15, noon-6 p.m. Love Love

8 North Center of the Arts | Fort Thomas. villageplayers.org/ centerforthearts Thru Feb. 7. “Lineillism Revealed: The Vertical Visions of Jim Hall”

Cincinnati Art Club | Mt. Adams.

513-241-4591. cincinnatiartclub.org Feb. 13-15. That Sketchy Sketch Group Show: “Bringing About Progress” Reception: Feb. 13, 6-8:30 p.m.

ARTclectic Gallery | Silverton.

513-822-5200. artclecticgallery.com Thru Feb. 28. “ULTimate ARTclectic”

The Angelico Project | St. Francis Xavier, downtown. angelicoproject.org Thru April 9. Annual Juried Art Exhibition

ArtWorks | Walnut Hills.

513-333-0388. artworkscincinnati.org Thru March 11. Kenton Brett: “Cerebral Vortex”

Playhouse in the Park | Mt. Adams. 513-421-3888. cincyplay.com Thru Feb. 15. “Little Women” (Rouse Theatre) Feb. 7-March 8. “Mary’s Wedding” (Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre) Feb. 28-March 29. “Mrs. Christie” (Rouse Theatre) Sharonville Cultural Arts Center | Sharonville. 513-554-1014. sharonvilleculturalarts.org Feb. 7-8. “The Outsiders” Feb. 13-15. “Mary Poppins Jr.” Feb. 20-21. “Murder at Mardi Gras” The Story Collective | Peterloon Estate, Indian Hill. thestorycollective.org Feb. 26-March 7. “Clue: The Musical”

An Exhibition Humanity Needs You to See

Sunset Players | Westwood.

513-588-4988. sunsetplayers.org Feb. 27-March 7. “The Wild Women of Winedale” Taft Theatre | Downtown. tafttheatre.org Feb. 5, 6 p.m. Gabby’s Dollhouse Live Feb. 13, 7 p.m. Jim Jefferies, comedian Feb. 20, 7 p.m. Michael Blaustein, comedian Feb. 21, 8 p.m. Stavros Halkias, comedian Feb. 26-27, 7:30 p.m. John Mulaney, comedian

at Cincinnati Union Terminal Final Weeks Plan your visit at cincymuseum.org/Auschwitz

Hosted By:

An Exhibition By:

Presented By:

Movers & Makers

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ARTS & CULTURE | The List Cincinnati Art Museum | Eden Park.

513-721-2787. cincinnatiartmuseum.org Thru Feb. 22. Modern and Contemporary Craft Thru March 1. “What, Me Worry? The Art and Humor of MAD Magazine” Thru April 5. Tamary Kudita: “African Victorian and Birds of Paradise” Feb. 6-June 7. “Longing: Painting from the Pahari Kingdoms” Feb. 27, 5-9 p.m. Art After Dark Clifton Cultural Arts Center | Clifton.

513-497-2860. cliftonculturalarts.org Thru Feb. 6. Bubly Barna: “the body between us” Feb. 13-27. Summerfair Cincinnati: Emerging Artists. Reception: Feb. 13, 6-8 p.m.

Thru March 29. “Nam June Paik in Cincinnati: A History” Reception: March 12, 5-7 p.m.

Feb. 8-April 5. “Domesticus Nature Morte” Eva G. Farris Gallery | Thomas More University, Crestview Hills. 859-344-3300. thomasmore.edu Thru Feb. 5. Ashley Brossart: “Cadence” Fairfield Community Arts Center | Fairfield. 513-867-5348. fairfield-city.org Thru Feb. 20. “Creatures, Companions & the Wild” Fitton Center | Hamilton.

513-863-8873. fittoncenter.org Feb. 14-March 27. “Push & Pull” Reception: Feb. 14, 5:30 p.m.

Contemporary Arts Center | Downtown. 513-345-840. contemporaryartscenter.org Thru April 5. UC Art Collection Thru Oct. 31. “Gravity’s Rainbow” Feb. 20-March 22. “FACES: Don’t Get It Twisted”

Glendale Heritage Preservation | Glendale. 513-771-8722. glendaleheritage.org Permanent exhibition: “Women of Glendale”

DAAP Galleries | University of Cincinnati.

513-556-2839. daap.uc.edu

Iris BookCafe & Gallery | Over-theRhine. 513-260-8434. irisbookcafeotr.com Thru March 16. Tim Stegmaier: “Nowhere But Here”

Kennedy Heights Arts Center | Kennedy Heights. 513-631-4278. kennedyarts.org Thru March 14. “Rooms of Grief” (Kennedy Gallery) Thru April 11. “We’re All Healing” (Lindner Gallery) Manifest Gallery | East Walnut Hills.

513-861-3638. manifestgallery.org Thru Feb. 20. “Echo” • “Numbers” • “Interface” Miami University/Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum | Oxford. 513-5292232. miamioh.edu/cca/art-museum Jan. 27-June 13. From the Collections (Douglass Gallery) • “Culture Crops,” photos by Tina Gutierrez (Farmer Gallery) • Art & Architecture History Senior Capstone (McKie Gallery) Northern Kentucky University Galleries | Highland Heights.

859-572-5148. nku.edu/gallery Thru Feb. 19. FE26: Art & Design Faculty Exhibition. Reception: Feb. 19, 5-7 p.m.

Off Ludlow Gallery | Clifton.

513-201-7153. facebook.com Thru Feb. 25. “Sticks & Stones” Pendleton Art Center | Pendleton.

513-421-4339. pendletonartcenter.com Feb. 27, 5-9 p.m., open studios Save Our Souls Art | Queen City Clay, Norwood. sosartcincinnati.com Thru Feb. 26. “Imprinting Justice” Skirball Museum | Clifton. csm.huc.edu Thru Feb. 9. “The Collars of RBG” Solway Gallery | West End. 513-6210069. solwaygallery.com Feb. 13-March 31. “I-75 Corridor” Reception: Feb. 13, 5-8 p.m.

Studio Kroner | Downtown. studiokroner.com Feb. 26-28. “The Warriors, Builders, & Weavers of Cincinnati’s Foodshed” Reception: Feb. 27, 4-9 p.m.

Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery | Mount St. Joseph University. msj.edu Thru March 18. “Cultural Tradition & Artistic Voices” Reception: March 1, 2-4 p.m.

Summit Hotel | Madisonville.

513-527-9900. thesummithotel.com Thru Feb. 28. “Outer Space / Inner Worlds” Taft Museum of Art | Downtown.

513-241-0343. taftmuseum.org Thru March 22. “Teatime: Chinese Enamels” Feb. 7-May 17. “Rembrandt: Masterpieces in Black and White” University of Cincinnati Clermont College | Batavia. 513-558-2787. ucclermont.edu Thru March 5. “Coming of Age: Hairitage” Reception: Feb. 17, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Visionaries & Voices | Northsude.

513-861-4333. visionariesandvoices.com Thru March 20. Don & Maggie Kelley: “A Legacy of Love” Wave Pool Gallery | Camp Washington. wavepoolgallery.org Thru Feb. 3. “Ghosts of Smoke and Water” Weston Art Gallery | Aronoff Center, downtown. 513-977-4165. cincinnatiarts.org/weston-art-gallery Thru March 15. Beverly Fishman: “— orexia” • John Brooks: “Islands Are Not Forever” • Terence Hammonds: “Transmission from the Mothership” 

Get listed Arts/Culture listings are free. Send event details and photos to: editor@moversmakers.org See Page 4 for print deadlines.

Visit moversmakers.org for more listings.

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Greater Cincinnati Heart Ball February 21, 2026 Cincinnati Convention Center

Chair

Heart of the City Honorees

Dr. Creighton B. Wright Healthcare Leadership Awardees

Gail & Steve Mullinger

Kim & George Vincent

Dr. Frank & JoAnn Noyes

For more information contact McKayla Beavers at: McKayla.Beavers@heart.org Please consider making a donation to support the American Heart Association’s critical mission to save lives through innovation research and medical advancement.

Local Presenting Sponsor

© Copyright 2025 American Heart Association, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Pam Green challenges Easterseals Redwood workers to compete in the real world

By John Faherty

P

hospital with that purpose. The National Society am Green walks through the Easterseals Redwood campus in Walnut Hills and for Crippled Children later became Easter Seals, chats with coworkers and clients. which eventually became Easterseals.

At first, it seems casual. Then you realize Redwood School and Rehabilitation was that she knows what everybody does. Then formed in 1953 when parents of children with it becomes clear that she knows everyone by cerebral palsy were unhappy with the rename. Eventually, you see that she also knows sources available to their children in Northern the names of their children and other things Kentucky. Eventually, Redwood created proimportant to them. grams for all children with disabilities. In the While she clearly has a gift for people and names and faces, what is singularly impressive about Pam Green as she talks with people living with disabilities is that she respects them enough to demand they do their best.

“Everybody wants to compete.

Everybody wants to do their best. I feel it in my heart and soul that people want to go to work,” Green said.

“They want self-sufficiency, they want autonomy.”

She stops and chats with Jackson, a 28-year-old man who has worked at the fulfillment center, primarily preparing medical kits, for four years.

Jackson says he enjoys his paycheck and likes watching his bank account grow. He is on the autism spectrum and can complete an order in 1.7 seconds – which he demonstrates. A co-worker walks past during the demonstration, shakes his head, smiles, Pam Green calls him “T-Jack,” and keeps walking.

“All right,” Jackson says, looking at Green, “back to work.”

1980s, they started helping adults with employGreen smiles and says, “Helping people find ment services, therapy and childcare. their way is amazing.”

In 2022, Easterseals and Redwood merged.

They have been finding their way at Green has been with Easterseals since 2003 and has been the CEO and president since 2011.

Easterseals for more than 100 years. It began after a Cleveland businessman’s son was badly There are 420 employees at sites across the injured in a streetcar accident in their homeregion. town, Elyria, Ohio. The son would die of those injuries, largely because of a lack of medical The challenge of unemployment care. The businessman, Edgar Allen, raised enough money to open a hospital.

Finding work can be difficult for anybody, Once the hospital was open, however, Allen but it can be particularly troublesome for people was horrified to learn that children with diswith disabilities. In 2024, the U.S. Department abilities often received substandard care and of Labor reported that the employment rate for were hidden from public view in hospitals. So people with disabilities stood at 37%, compared Allen, a Rotarian, founded the National Society with 75% for workers without disabilities. for Crippled Children in 1919. It was the first But Green is undaunted. She knows that 18

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workers just need training, and employers just need to open their eyes to the possibilities of nontraditional workers.

Much of this work happens at the organization’s sprawling campus, a brand-new Walnut Hills facility on Gilbert Avenue. It serves as the Easterseals Redwood administrative office. It includes a care center for people with disabilities, a 20,000-square-foot fulfillment center

Everybody wants to compete. Everybody wants to do their best.

I feel it in my heart and soul that people want to go to work. They want self-sufficiency, they want autonomy.”

–Pam Green

where people work, and the Klekamp Family Military and Veterans Center. The Klekamp Center provides veterans and their families with housing referrals, legal assistance, mental health support and employment services.

So, some people work here for Easterseals Redwood, some people work in the fulfillment center for paying clients, and some people are here for work training. It is a lot, but it centers around work.

And dignity. That’s important to Green.

“I grew up poor,” she said. “I went to school, and I worked hard, but having limited choices because of my means was awful for me as a young person. It didn’t feel fair.”

Green grew up in Kentucky, and now lives in Hyde Park with her husband. The couple

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT favor. That’s what makes the fulfillment center so important. They are making medical testing kits for companies like MedPace, which means it has to be right.

“We compete with the real world. Our competitors do not hire the people we hire, but we compete,” Green said. “And let me tell you, the companies buying what we are selling do not give two shakes about who works here. They just want the job done.”

The workers at the fulfillment center take great pride in competing. “Everybody here comes from a group that people don’t expect much from,” Green said. “But they can do the work.”

Everybody receives at least Ohio minimum wage for their work – currently $11 an hour.

Many of the people who receive job training at Easterseals Redwood have no disabilities.

They come for job training and placement services.

Some families need services for both. Green

disabilities. They might mean chronic unemployment, prison time and dependency issues. People in the construction program receive training at Easterseals Redwood, then start working at Building Value for even more training.

Building Value, in Cincinnati’s Northside neighborhood, is a microcosm of Green’s vision. It was founded in 2004, is supported

by Easterseals Redwood and is a true social enterprise with two goals. First, to train people for construction work, and second, to be a successful salvage, deconstruction and construction Challenging work leads to success company. Each year, 60 program participants come out of Building Value with jobs in the In January 2017, Easterseals stopped being industry. a “sheltered workshop” and became a “social One of those program participants was John. enterprise.” This sounds like a subtle shift, but it He was a young man who made some mistakes was transformative. and ended up unemployed and with two felony A sheltered workshop is segregated, with convictions. He had a long road ahead of him, disabled workers off to the side. The employees but began training at Easterseals Redwood. are doing piecework, completing repetitive tasks Then it was time to start applying what he that get counted at the end of the day. This is learned at Building an older model of Value. Green knows employment with work can be hard. And the flaw of presumsometimes tedious. And ing that disabled having a boss can be a workers are defined particular joy. This is all by their limitations. the more so if a person This model excludes is new to employment. disabled workers That’s why the time at from other workers, Building Value is so and does not prepare important. “We call it them for work in work hardening,” Green more competitive said. environments.

One day during his In a social enterYoung people participating in an Easterseals Redwood building trades program training at Building prise, the work is stops and chats with Reggie. Reggie is 43 and Value, John was pulling shingles from a roof more challenging, the pay is higher and the emhas cerebral palsy, which means he cannot stand for possible reuse. It was a particularly tedious ployees are working with all employees, not just or walk for long periods. He was unemployed job for the young man so his mind wandered. others who are disabled. They are on the floor “What am I doing up here? Nobody wants these with all of their coworkers, where they can learn and unhappy when he came to Easterseals six shingles.” Then, Pam said, he saw it all clearly. from each other both socially and professionally. years ago. “I needed change,” Reggie said. “I didn’t have a sense of value.”

Sitting on that roof, he realized that a few years Green loves it when a person who has come Now he has a leadership role and a renewed earlier, nobody had wanted him either, despite through their training facility lands a job either sense of purpose. “Pride and everything,” Reggie how valuable he was. So he got back to work. at Easterseals Redwood or in the outside world. said. “I’m working, making a paycheck, I’m a “I love everything about that story,” Green She knows what it can mean for that person’s member of my community. Since the time I said. “Work is hard, but it is so important. self-esteem. “It’s autonomy,” she said. “It’s the came, it’s been good.”

Seeing a change like this is just extraordinary.” ability to take care of your family. It’s a basic Then Reggie sat up taller and started talking Reggie’s son is another recent success story. human need.” about his son, who is just finishing up an apAfter graduating from high school, he realBut she also knows how hard it can be. How prenticeship. More about him below. ized college was not for him. But he had little much courage it can require. Especially for a idea of what other options were available. His person with a visible disability. encouraged him to pursue construction “It can be isolating. It is hard to form relaFinding a path through construction dad trades training at Easterseals Redwood; he had tionships in the workplace. It is really hard with participated in their YouthBuild program. In a disability because you can be seen as less-than.

Easterseals has been working with the April, the young man will complete the fourth First days of work are brutal.” construction industry since 2002. Green says year of his electrician apprenticeship and will be But Green believes her clients can do it. She it’s a great industry for many of her clients. a certified union electrician earning more than respects them enough to know they can face any “Construction has been a path to the middle his girlfriend who has a master’s degree – and challenge. That’s why she wanted to transition class for decades,” she said. “It is also willing to he will have no student debt, just a promising from a shelter workshop to a social enterprise. work with people facing challenges.” future.  She believes her workers can compete without Those challenges may not be physical has two adult daughters. She knows work can be a grind, and that bosses can be hard, and responsibilities can weigh on you. But she has seen what it can do for people.

“It won’t cure a mental illness. But coming to work, seeing your friends, experiencing achievement, can help a person.”

Green does not want her clients simply to find work. She wants them to find meaningful work.

To do this, she decided to make everything a lot more difficult.

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By Shauna Steigerwald

Audrey Treasure

Connecting people to jobs A

glass paperweight on Audrey Treasure’s desk bears the Theodore Roosevelt quote “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” That fits with Treasure’s mindset about making an impact on the world.

“I absolutely believe that you can make a difference where you are,” said Treasure, vice president and executive director of the Workforce Innovation Center at the Cincinnati Regional Chamber.

She traces her desire to make a difference back to her high school years in Troy, Ohio, when she volunteered as a tutor for two families from contrasting economic situations.

“I was struck by the differences these two sets of kids had based on their family circumstances,” she said. “As an idealistic high schooler, I really wanted to see how we could improve outcomes for all people.”

After earning her bachelor’s in Spanish and a certificate in nonprofit management from Indiana University, Treasure taught in lowincome schools in Chicago and Atlanta for two years with Teach for America. Her next stop was Junior Achievement of Georgia.

“It was motivating for me to help young people see different alternatives for their future by having greater exposure to jobs (and) to training opportunities, and to work with their families for them to have more opportunities as well,” she said.

Following six months of teaching with her now-husband in rural Guatemala, Treasure took a grant writing job at Antioch University in Yellow Springs, Ohio. She admired the university’s commitment to supporting adult learners – and she became one, earning her master’s there.

The path to the Innovation Center In 2013, Treasure joined the Cincinnati Business Committee and the Cincinnati Regional Business Committee, membership organizations composed of the region’s CEOs with a shared staff. Working with the Child Poverty Collaborative through that role revealed a need for an organization that would help businesses solve their workforce and talent goals, to the benefit of both employers and employees, and connecting businesses with workforce organizations.

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Those experiences led to Treasure joining the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, where she helped launch the Workforce Innovation Center in January 2019.

“It’s really about making sure that people in this community have access and opportunity to be fulfilled with good jobs that have good pay and good benefits and that can sustain their lives,” said Brendon Cull, Chamber president and CEO. One real-world example: In a Chamber newsletter, Cull wrote about Antianna Beal, who “was having difficulty finding a path that worked for her, and was working at a Foot Locker” when she was encouraged to join the Workforce Innovation Center’s Women of Color in Tech program. With the help of the Brighton Center, Beal finished the Google certificate that the program offered and is now “working in research and development at Procter & Gamble, with a great career path ahead of her.”

The Center’s work “helps align the workforce ecosystem’s resources with the needs of our growing economy,” Cull said, “all the while making sure that businesses have access to the resources they need to make the necessary changes or the policy shifts that improve job quality in our community.”

The Center’s partner organizations include workforce coaching nonprofits, educational institutions, training centers and other similarly focused organizations.

“I really like people, and I really like making connections, and I really like solving problems,” Treasure said. “That’s what this work is: Working with people, connecting them to one another and saying ‘Let’s solve this problem.’ ” That’s part of the reason Cull considers Treasure “the perfect person to lead this effort.”

“She has a deep understanding of the complicated systems in our workforce sector,” he said. “And maybe, even more importantly, she has taken great care to build authentic and deep relationships with the people who are involved in the workforce sector.”

As part of the Center’s work, workforce organizations also convene quarterly to “build connectivity across the workforce and talent ecosystem. There are more than 100 organizations in this space, and it’s hard to keep track of who’s doing what,” Treasure said.

Audrey Treasure, vice president and executive director, Workforce Innovation Center, Cincinnati Regional Chamber

“A lot of people do great work in their own individual silos, and that matters,” she added.

“But foundationally at the Chamber, we believe we have greater opportunity for collective impact when we work together … and that will help our region to be a place where people can thrive and belong.”

A ‘thought partner’ with United Way One organization the Center works with is United Way of Greater Cincinnati.

“We’re not only an investor; I would say we’re a thought partner – we look for ways to collaborate,” said Moira Weir, its president and CEO. “It’s a win-win: If our families are thriving and doing well economically, then our community thrives.”

Weir has known Treasure for around 10 years, before either was in her current role.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for her,” Weir said. “She’s really, really smart … but she also has heart and cares deeply. The other part is looking for the accountability and the outcomes. It’s heart, brilliance and producing the outcomes.”

“She’s done so many different things, and I think all these things give her a unique background to understand the value of stable families, education (and) a strong economic community,” she added.

Outside of her day job, Treasure has a long list of volunteer commitments. She serves on the Selection Advisory Committee for GreenLight Fund Cincinnati; was a founding board member of School Board School; chairs the steering committee of the Talent Collaborative of Continued on Page 24

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Nonprofits nurturing region’s workforce I

n Greater Cincinnati, workforce development is about more than simply filling jobs; it’s about creating opportunity, economic growth and building workforce and community resilience.

Across the region, nonprofits are helping individuals navigate the often-complex path to meaningful employment, combining practical training with the support systems people need to thrive. Movers & Makers spoke with 10 organizations that are actively shaping these pathways, serving populations ranging from young adults stepping into their first jobs to individuals facing barriers like housing instability, poverty or gaps in education and experience.

These programs go beyond skills alone, combining training with mentorship, career coaching, financial guidance and access to childcare,

transportation or mental health resources. Employers also benefit, gaining candidates who are prepared for long-term success, along with insights and coaching to improve retention and create inclusive workplaces.

While the challenges of aligning training with employer demand and supporting participants through personal and systemic barriers remain, the organizations highlight a bigger picture: a region-wide commitment to collaboration and innovation.

From healthcare and logistics to technology and skilled trades, Greater Cincinnati’s workforce is growing stronger. These profiles showcase nonprofits turning opportunity into impact – helping individuals build careers, families achieve stability and communities thrive. 

CityLink Center combines vocational training with support services that address the full spectrum of barriers to employment.

Programs include healthcare through Making A Change Cincy, IT with PerScholas, construction via Habitat 4 Humanity, culinary training onsite and auto technology with ChangingGears. Each participant receives practical instruction paired with coaching that continues beyond graduation, helping them transition confidently into the workforce.

Services are available to adults 18 and older who live below 250% of the federal poverty level and have stable housing. Programs are tailored to align with each individual’s career goals before they begin. CityLink serves roughly 700 participants annually, connecting them with employers and guiding employees and businesses to long-term success.

Beyond training, the organization emphasizes barrier removal, providing support for transportation, childcare, mental health, financial management and housing through partnerships with local agencies.

O udersluys ar k By combining skillnm building with holistic care, CityLink helps individuals achieve sustainable employment while strengthening families and the community. Success, the center says, is when participants step into careers they once thought were out of reach – and their growth benefits the local economy as a whole.  citylinkcenter.org

IKRON Corporation prepares adults and youth for self-sufficiency through vocational training, career coaching and life-stabilization services.

Programs include food service, maintenance, IT, landscaping, human services and other skill areas, paired with career planning, job coaching and hands-on work experiences.

Participants also have access to counseling, case management and health or addiction services, helping remove obstacles that might hinder employment success.

Pre-Employment Services for Transitional Age Youth and four-day-week vocational programs build skills and career readiness.

IKRON partners with more than 60 employers across Greater Cincinnati, helping them understand the benefits of inclusive hiring. Job developers guide participants from application through onboarding and offer up to 18 months of support after placement.

Each year, more than 2,000 individuals, ranging from adults with mental health or addiction challenges to youth seeking direction, benefit from IKRON’s programs.

Through practical training, mentorship and ongoing coaching, participants gain the skills and confidence to enter the workforce successfully ... and continue long after they’re hired.

IKRON measures its impact in the lives it helps transform, demonstrating that addressing barriers and fosternk S tr u ing collaboration dy create long-term benefits for individuals and the local economy.  ikron.org

Cincinnati Works partners with adults living in poverty to help them achieve economic selfsufficiency through employment.

The organization provides personalized coaching, career readiness training and skills development that prepare participants for today’s workplace, including resume support, interview preparation, professionalism, digital literacy and industry-specific instruction.

Justice-involved adults, those who’ve had any connection to the criminal justice system, receive specialized support through the Fair Chance Works initiative. Young adults benefit from the Next Generation program, which helps students explore career pathways and transition successfully into the workforce.

Recognizing that long-term employment success is tied to financial stability, Cincinnati Works offers financial coaching, tax preparation and ongoing guidance to help participants manage resources, save and plan for the future.

Coaching continues well beyond job placement, supporting retention, career advancement and wage growth. mat yA Employer partna nerships focus on talent matching, inclusive hiring and on-site support to ensure success for employees and organizations.

Cincinnati Works serves more than 1,500 participants annually, helping them gain the confidence, skills and resources needed to find success. That, in turn, prepares them to contribute to building a more inclusive, resilient regional economy.  cincinnatiworks.org

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Cincinnati Works Tianay Amat, president & CEO

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IKRON Corporation Randy Strunk, CEO

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CityLink Center Johnmark Oudersluys, executive director

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Brighton Center provides workforce training and support to help individuals achieve economic independence. It offers services such as post-secondary medical assisting and administrative healthcare training through the Center for Employment Training, and short-term pre-apprenticeships like Bridge to Healthcare Careers and Trades to Success.

Its Digital Foundations effort offers essential technology skills, particularly for individuals navigating recovery.

Through nearly four decades of partnership with the workforce system, Brighton Center serves as the local American Job Center contractor, coordinating services across eight counties in Northern Kentucky.

This includes outreach, assessments, training connections and employer services, all structured to connect participants with livable-wage careers with advancement opportunities.

Programs are open to anyone 16 and older, including first-time workers, individuals re-entering employment and those without a high school equivalency. Each year, 150 to 200 participants complete skills training, while its wider programs reach more than 26,000 people.

Brighton Center evaluates its impact by its abill er Wink ity to help people gain skills, confidence and ac- nda cess to meaningful careers. Employers benefit from staff prepared to contribute on day one.

It’s about building sustainable futures for everyone.  brightoncenter.com

The Talent Collaborative of Greater Cincinnati strengthens the regional workforce by connecting employers, educators and service organizations.

While it does not provide direct services, TCGC hosts three annual gatherings and a regional summit, offering a platform for sharing insights and strategies, and addressing systemic workforce challenges as a group.

As a partner of the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, TCGC leverages national expertise, funding and resources to amplify local initiatives. TCGC collaborates with organizations including the Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio, Brighton Center, the Urban League, and numerous educational and community partners. Together, these organizations provide training, coaching, and employment pathways for youth, returning citizens and workers dislocated by industry changes, while TCGC ensures alignment and coordination across the ecosystem.

Employers benefit indirectly from better-prepared talent pools, more efficient hiring pipelines, and guidance on best practices.

Though TCGC doesn’t track individuals served directly, leadership feels confident saying its work supports thousands of participants annually through its partner organizations. o ya l F i s c h er aR By convening stakeholders, promoting colnik laboration, and elevating best practices, TCGC strengthens the workforce system across the Tristate region.  linkedin.com,

Ohio Valley Goodwill Mark Hiemstra, president and CEO

Cincinnati Hamilton County Community Action Agency Mark Lawson, president & CEO

Ohio Valley Goodwill’s GoodWorks Pathways program equips individuals with the skills and support needed for meaningful, sustainable employment.

Participants receive career coaching, job readiness training, occupational skills instruction, and credentialing aligned with regional labor market demands. The program also provides wraparound services – transportation assistance, work clothing and referrals for housing, childcare, even mental health support – ensuring participants can focus on career growth.

Transitional employment within Goodwill’s operations allows participants to gain hands-on experience in a real workplace, and post-employment coaching helps them advance over the long term.

The program serves veterans, justice-involved adults, people with disabilities, youths disconnected from school and work, and individuals experiencing long-term unemployment. Services are tailored to each person. By connecting training, individualized support and employer engagement, GoodWorks Pathways helps individuals overcome barriers, grow in confidence and secure meaningful careers.

In 2024, the program served more than 5,100 participants.

Employers partner with GoodWorks Pathways m s tr a H ie to access trained talent, receive guidance on rk inclusive hiring practices and benefit from improved retention.

The program shows that when nonprofits, employers and participants collaborate, talent flourishes and the community grows stronger.  cincinnatigoodwill.org

The Cincinnati Hamilton County Community Action Agency equips residents with the training and skills needed for in-demand careers. Programs include healthcare certifications such as nurses’ aides, phlebotomy, medical assistant and medical billing and coding, as well as CDL training for truck drivers.

Beyond technical instruction, participants receive coaching on resumes, interviewing and workplace readiness, while transportation support is offered until their first paycheck. CDL trainees meet potential employers during the five-week program, and healthcare students gain direct connections to organizations hiring in the region.

CAA jobs programming is open to adults 18 and older, with income eligibility at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. It enrolls somewhere between 60 to 90 participants per program each year depending on funding availability.

The organization focuses its work on pairing practical skills with career guidance and employer connections. Graduates leave prepared for meaningful employment, while employers gain trained, capable staff ready to contribute.

By connecting training, mentorship, and comson L aw munity supports, CAA strengthens Cincinnati’s rk labor pipelines and helps participants build lasting stability. This holistic approach ensures that participants aren’t just earning certificates.  cincy-caa.org Ma

Ma

Mo

The Talent Collaborative of Greater Cincinnati Monika Royal Fischer, director

Wo

Brighton Center Wonda Winkler, president & CEO

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WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio connects individuals to careers, entrepreneurship and wealth-building opportunities that combat generational poverty. It offers the Building Futures, Urban Champions youth employment, Urban Tech Collective and SOAR (Solid Opportunities for Advancement & Retention) initiatives, alongside comprehensive case management services. Each initiative is designed to place adults and youth in work positions that offer competitive wages, professional advancement and actual careers.

Employers benefit from deep partnerships, with the Urban League aligning candidate preparation to their specific workforce needs. This includes job readiness training, professional coaching, credential support and ongoing post-placement assistance. It also gives guidance to participants on things like workplace expectations to help them succeed in their roles while reducing turnover for employers.

The Urban League’s programs serve more than 675 uhns people annually. They include those navigating unemie K is t r ployment, underemployment or career transitions.

The Urban League’s impact is felt in careers built and families lifted. By aligning services with real-world workforce needs, the organization is strengthening economic mobility across the region.  ulgso.org

Dress for Success Cincinnati helps women achieve economic independence through professional attire, career coaching and a supportive network. Services include individualized coaching, cohort-based skill-building sessions and monthly Women’s Connect events, which offer opportunities to set goals, gain confidence and expand professional networks.

Its Career Center provides resume assistance, mock interviews and job-search support, helping women feel prepared not only for job interviews but for meaningful employment. Dress for Success’ satellite locations in Covington and Loveland broaden access to these resources across the region.

The organization serves roughly 1,500 women annually across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

Employers provide feedback and training, while Dress for Success educates organizations about workforce barom pson riers and promotes inclusive practices. Emerging- gan Th g market partnerships help ensure training aligns with evolving employer needs.

Dress for Success’ mission isn’t just about landing jobs. It’s about helping women stepping into their careers feeling capable, supported and ready to thrive.  dfscincy.org

Greater Cincinnati; serves on the Community Advisory Council for the Miami University Regional Campuses; is a member of the Southwest Career Pathway Support Network Steering Committee; and just completed a six-year board term at 4C for Children. She also volunteers at the elementary school her three daughters attend, serving as a coach for Girls on the Run and treasurer of the PTO. That schedule doesn’t provide for a ton of free time, but when she has it, she likes to read, go for a run or hike with her husband and daughters.

“She’s a great mom; she cares deeply for her family and her kids and is very involved in her kids’ educational experiences … (and) she does a lot of fun things with her kids,” Weir said. “It’s always hard, as a working mom, to balance all that.”

‘Snowball’ of positive change Treasure also likes to keep a balance between fun and hard work.

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“I really think it’s important that you find joy in work, especially when you do hard work; it keeps you hopeful,” she said. “But we also have to get things done. I want us to be winning. I want us to really make change.”

She sees curiosity as key to that change. “One of the best things we can do right now is to be curious about where we can make an impact,” she said. “Things seem complex and big, and they are, but we can be curious and we can make inroads anyway.”

Cull believes Treasure and the Center have already made great strides. “I think our workforce ecosystem is stronger and more connected today than it was six years ago, and it is more effectively connected to the business community as well,” he said.

For Treasure, though, the work is just getting started.

“I want this to be a snowball,” she said. “I want the region to be a place where people can build great lives and get ahead.” 

Public Allies Cincinnati Taisha Rojas-Parker, executive director Public Allies Cincinnati develops the next generation of civicminded leaders through paid apprenticeships that last 10 months.

Participants, known as Allies, work alongside local nonprofits, gaining hands-on experience while cultivating skills in leadership, project management, community engagement and systems thinking. Each participant contributes directly to organizational capacity while receiving mentorship, professional development and coaching.

Public Allies collaborates with nonprofit partners to shape positions, set goals and provide guidance, ensuring that both the organization and the individual gain value.

Public Allies serves up to 30 participants annually, with more than 600 alumni. The organization prioritizes young adults 18-30, but welcomes those beyond that age range. It emphasizes commitment to professional development and personal growth over prior experience or even age.

Over time, participants develop confidence, professional skills, and a network of relationships that extend far beyond the apprenticeship.

Parker This dual impact helps cultivate a pipeline of o ja s aR civic-minded professionals who contribute to sh stronger communities and a more resilient local workforce, preparing a new generation of socially conscious leaders.  publicallies.org/cincinnati Tai

Audrey Treasure (cont.)

Me

Dress for Success Cincinnati Meggan Thompson, president & CEO

Ch

Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio Christie Kuhns, president & CEO

HONORING PAUL KITZMILLER President of Impact Autism

For over two decades, Paul Kitzmiller, President of Impact Autism, has been a dedicated advocate for individuals and families living with autism. His journey began through a personal connection: his wife, Laura, is the lifelong best friend of Diana O’Brien, whose three children are autistic. Witnessing the daily challenges the O’Brien family faced inspired Paul to take action.

What started as a small fundraising golf outing grew into the Mayfield Classic, which now raises over $300,000 annually and has generated more than $3 million to support the autism community. This success led to the creation of Impact Autism, a nonprofit that provides holistic support, and its flagship program, Impact Innovation, a best-in-class adult day program at the University of Cincinnati offering life skills, healthy living, and vocational experiences for adults on the autism spectrum.

Paul also established the Impact Autism Endowment, ensuring sustainable support for Impact Innovation and other programs, with a vision to replicate this model nationwide. His work provides hope, meaningful opportunities, and a higher quality of life—not only for individuals on the autism spectrum, but also for the families who care for them.

Paul will be honored with the Champion for Inclusion award for his dedication, leadership, and impact.

9th Annual

February 25, 2026

Learn more about the event here: https://bit.ly/RBBlast2026

The Datebook DATEBOOK

With a Spotlight on the Movers and Makers behind Greater Cincinnati’s Fundraisers, Friend-Raisers and Community Events

FEB. 3, TUESDAY

FEB. 12, THURSDAY

Stepping Stones, Annual Open Your Heart | Stone Creek Dining Company, Montgomery. Cocktail hour, dinner, raffle and artwork.

Tickets: $200. ¼steppingstonesohio.org

Cincinnati Museum Center, After Hours: ’80s Edition | 7-10 p.m.

Cincinnati Museum Center. Food, cash bar and programming. Tickets: $20. ¼cincymuseum.org/after-hours FEB. 17, TUESDAY

FEB. 4, WEDNESDAY Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, Impact Breakfast 2026 | 8-9:30 a.m. Mayerson JCC, Amberley.

Breakfast, program and keynote Rabbi Shira Stutman. Free. ¼jlive.app/events/13960 FEB. 5, THURSDAY Insuring the Children, Have a Heart | 5:30 p.m. Cooper Creek Event Center, Blue Ash. Dinner, drinks, raffle, auction, photo booth and keynote. Tickets: $150. ¼insuringthechildren.org/have-a-heart FEB. 7, FRIDAY Cupid’s Undie Run Cincinnati | Noon-4 p.m. Queen City Radio, Over-theRhine. Fun run, drinks and dance party.

Benefits Children’s Tumor Foundation.

Registration: $40. ¼join.ctf.org Good Samaritans Foundation, Annual Gala: Gameplan for Good Sam | 6-11 p.m. Music Hall Ballroom.

Cocktail hour, dinner and dancing.

Tickets: $300. ¼9116.thankyou4caring.org/gala FEB. 10, TUESDAY Green Umbrella, Annual Impact Celebration | 5-8 p.m. ADC Fine Art, West End. Honoree: Ryan MooneyBullock. Networking, food, drinks, silent auction and music. Tickets $75. ¼greenumbrella.org FEB. 11, WEDNESDAY Found House, Faith in Action Breakfast | 8:30 a.m. Community Action Agency, Pleasant Ridge. Guest speaker: Donald Hugh Whitehead Jr. Coffee and breakfast. ¼foundhouse.org/fiabreakfast

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Mardi Gras for Homeless Children | 5:30-10 p.m. Northern Kentucky Convention Center. Food, drinks, live music, marching band parade, silent auction, live auctions and celebrity guests. Proceeds benefit Brighton Center, Welcome House and Bethany House. Tickets: $100. ¼mardigrasnky.org FEB. 19, THURSDAY

The annual Cupid’s Undie Run benefiting the Children’s Tumor Foundation darts through Over-the-Rhine on Feb. 7. It ends at Queen City Radio with drinks and a dance party.

Adopt A Class, Galentine’s Women’s Night | 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Redtree Coffee, Over-the-Rhine. Guest speakers, food, drinks, photo booth, “love notes” station and raffle.

Tickets: $50. ¼aacmentors.org

Green Umbrella holds its Annual Impact Celebration on Feb. 10 at ADC Fine Art in the West End. Ryan MooneyBullock is the honoree.

HomeBase Cincinnati, Annual Community Development Awards Celebration | 4-7 p.m. Woodward Theater, Over-the-Rhine. Recognizing leaders, organizations and partners who make community development in Cincinnati possible. Tickets: $50. ¼homebasecincy.org Queen City Book Bank, Gala for Literacy | 5 p.m. Hard Rock Casino.

Cocktails, dinner and raffle. Tickets: $150. ¼queencitybookbank.org FEB. 20, FRIDAY Clermont Chamber of Commerce, Business Excellence Awards & Annual Meeting | 11:30 a.m.1:30 p.m. Oasis Conference Center, Loveland. Networking, lunch and program honoring winners of Business Excellence Awards. Tickets: $75. ¼business.clermontchamber.com

Mardi Gras for Homeless Children returns Feb. 17 at Northern Kentucky Convention Center.

Proceeds benefit Brighton Center, Welcome House and Bethany House.

DATEBOOK Jack and Jill of America, Super Saturday Symposium | 9 a.m. Xavier University. Sessions, workshops and panel discussions. Opening address by Candice Brackeen. Register: jjcincinnati. supersaturday@gmail.com ¼jackandjillinc.org/chapter/cincinnati Madi’s House, Hollywood Squares Game Show Gala | Music Hall Ballroom. Gourmet dinner. ¼madishousecincy.org Photo by Ross Van Pelt

The Cincinnati Regional Chamber will honor four Great Living Cincinnatians on Feb. 26 at its annual dinner at the Cincinnati Convention Center. The 2026 honorees are Jeff Wyler, Karen Bankston, Pete Strange and Francie Hiltz.

FEB. 26, THURSDAY Cincinnati Regional Chamber, Annual Dinner | 5 p.m. Cincinnati Convention Center. Honoring Great Living Cincinnatians: Jeff Wyler, Dr. Karen Bankston, Pete Strange and Francie Hiltz. Also celebrating the 2026 We Are Making Black History honorees.

Tickets: $250. ¼cincinnatichamber.com

FEB. 21, SATURDAY American Heart Association, Greater Cincinnati Heart Ball | 6:30 p.m.-midnight. Cincinnati Convention Center. Annual black-tie gala with silent and live auctions, dinner and dancing. Tickets: $1,000. ¼ahacincinnati.ejoinme.org, Human Rights Campaign, Annual Dinner | 5 p.m. Hard Rock Casino.

Cocktail reception, silent auction, dinner, awards and after-party. Tickets: $250. ¼cincinnati.hrc.org

FEB. 27, FRIDAY (City of) Florence, Books & Bottles | 6-8:30 p.m. Florence Nature Park Event Center. Small bites, cash bar

and appearances by authors Michelle Bennington and Wes Browne.

Tickets: $10. ¼florence-ky.gov FEB. 28, SATURDAY Animal Adoption Foundation, Waggin’ Tails | 6-9 p.m. Receptions, Fairfield. Silent auction, live auction, raffles and games. Tickets: $75. ¼aafpets.org Cincinnati Opera Young Professionals, Bacchanal: FUTUREGLOW | 8 p.m. Site 1212, Over-the-Rhine. Inspired by the new opera, “Lalovavi,” immersive fashion show featuring Afrofuturist designers and other artists, live performances and dancing. Tickets: $50. ¼cincinnatiopera.org/bacchanal The Cure Starts Now, Once in a Lifetime Gala | 5:30-10:30 p.m.

Sharonville Convention Center. Threecourse meal, open bar, silent auction, live auction and entertainment.

Tickets: $140. ¼events.thecurestartsnow.org

Thank You To Our 2025 Sponsors!

Together, we celebrate the successes of all the clients we serve – people with disabilities, veterans, and people facing economic disadvantages!

Presenting SPONSOR

Outstanding community Partner

The Farmer Family Foundation SOLUTION SPONSORS

Accessibility SPONSORS

POSSIBiLITY SPONSORs CET DSD Advisors, LLC. Frost Brown Todd

Hixson Architecture, Engineering, Interiors Johnson Investment Counsel Messer Construction

Nehemiah Manufacturing Co. Paycor PNC

Quanta HCM Staffmark Group Triversity Construction

TruCraft Roofing Truepoint Wealth Counsel

Movers & Makers

FEBRUARY 2026

27

DATEBOOK DePaul Cristo Rey High School, Annual Pickleball Palooza | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Pickle Lodge, West Chester.

Round-robin tournament for players of all experience levels with teams divided into skill divisions. Entry fee: $75. ¼depaulcristorey.org Saint Joe’s, Pickleball for Possibilities | 3 p.m. Western Athletic Club, Westwood. Pickleball tournament. ¼stjoescincy.org/events MARCH 3-4, TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY Council on Aging, Forum on Aging | 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sharonville Convention Center. Keynotes: Therese Gopaul-Robinson and Kim Vesey. Coffee, pastries, networking, workshops and lunch. Final day to register Feb. 20. ¼help4seniors.org MARCH 5-7, THURSDAY-SATURDAY Cincinnati International Wine Festival | Cincinnati Convention Center.

Winery Dinner Series on Thursday. Grand Tastings on Friday and Saturday. Charity auction and luncheon on Saturday.

Proceeds benefit a variety of nonprofits. ¼winefestival.com MARCH 5, THURSDAY Findlay Kitchen, Small Bites, Big Impact | 5:30-8:30 p.m. Findlay Market, Over-the-Rhine. Small bites, full bar, program, paddle raise and raffles. ¼findlaykitchen.org

MARCH 6, FRIDAY Make A Wish, Wish Gala | Music Hall Ballroom. Cocktail hour, dinner, live auction, silent auction and raffles.

Tickets: $300. ¼wish.org

Council on Aging will hold its annual forum March 3-4 at Sharonville Convention Center. Keynote speakers are Therese Gopaul-Robinson (left) and Kim Vesey.

MARCH 7-8, SATURDAY-SUNDAY CancerFree KIDS, Night for the Fight | 7 p.m. Fifth Third Arena, University of Cincinnati. Games, food and fun. ¼cancerfreekids.org/nightforthefight MARCH 7, SATURDAY CORA, Bike & Trail Expo | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. MadTree Brewing. ¼coratrails.org Junior League of Cincinnati, Women Doing a World of Good | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Memorial Hall, Overthe-Rhine. Keynote: Elizabeth Smart.

Luncheon, VIP reception, book signing, community resource fair and raffle.

Tickets start at $79. ¼cincinnati.jl.org

‘Women Doing a World of Good,’ hosted by Junior League of Cincinnati, takes place March 7 at Memorial Hall. The event includes a luncheon, reception and book signing with keynote speaker Elizabeth Smart.

Lord’s Gym Ministries, Annual Fowling Tournament | 9:30 a.m.

Fowling Warehouse, Corryville. Pastries, coffee and prizes. Cost: $25. ¼lordsgymministries.org/events Ohio Valley Voices, Gala | 5:30-11 p.m. Westin Hotel, downtown.

Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, silent auction, raffles, program and awards. ¼ohiovalleyvoices.org/support

Delivering nutrition, connection and protection for seniors www.muchmorethanameal.org

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Woman’s City Club holds its National Speaker Forum, on March 10 at Memorial Hall. Keynote speaker is Gina Belafonte.

DATEBOOK

More Datebook at MoversMakers.org

Bethesda Lyceum, presented by the Bethesda Foundation, features keynote speaker Sampson Davis. It takes place March 12 at Hard Rock Casino.

Make sure your fundraiser or community event is listed at moversmakers.org/datebook Listings are free.* Send event details and print-quality photos of honorees , chairs or speakers to: editor@moversmakers.org

MARCH 10, TUESDAY

MARCH 14, SATURDAY

MARCH 27, FRIDAY

Catholic Charities Diocese of Covington, Appreciation Dinner | 5:30 p.m. Receptions Event Center, Erlanger. Dinner and social. ¼covingtoncharities.org

Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund, Queen City Classic Chess Tournament | 7 a.m. TQL Stadium.

Chess tournament with special guests: Maurice Ashley, Gregory Kaidanov and Irina Krush. Registration: $40 before Feb. 13; $50 after. ¼ccpf.org

Cincinnati Museum Center, Omnimax Dinner Date | 6:30-9:30 p.m. Union Terminal. Three-course meal, beer, wine and screening of “Hubble.”

Tickets: $150. ¼cincymuseum.org

Rock Your Beauty, Fashion Show | 7:30 p.m. Memorial Hall, Overthe-Rhine. Fierce looks, bold beauty and disco vibes. VIP entry 5:30 p.m.; general admission 6 p.m. ¼rockyourbeauty.org

Caracole, AIDS Walk + 5K/10K Run | 9-11 a.m. Spring Grove Cemetery. “Get Your Wig On” 5K walk, 5K or 10K run, and Lois Kay Kids Fun Run (ages 3-12). ¼secure.qgiv.com, 

Woman’s City Club, National Speaker Forum | 7 p.m. Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine. Keynote: Gina Belafonte. Tickets: $50. ¼womanscityclub.org MARCH 11, WEDNESDAY Spirit of Construction, Lifetime Achievement Event | 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Dever Family Foundation Skilled Trades Education Center, Loveland. Honoring Lifetime Achievement honorees. ¼spiritofconstruction.org NKY Chamber, Workforce Best Practices Symposium | 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Kenton County Public Library, Erlanger.

Roundtable discussions centered on theme, “Future-Ready Workplaces: Building Talent, Data and Culture.”

Tickets: $70. ¼business.nkychamber.com MARCH 12, THURSDAY Bethesda Lyceum | Hard Rock Casino.

Keynote: Sampson Davis. Dinner, drinks and VIP experience. Tickets: $300. ¼bethesdafoundation.com HER Cincinnati, Her Unfiltered | 5:30-8 p.m. Memorial Hall, Over-theRhine. Performances, reception, womenowned shopping market, drinks and light bites. Tickets: $70. ¼hercincinnati.org

MARCH 29, SUNDAY

Stand out Consider advertising.

Contact Thom Mariner: tmariner@moversmakers.org for digital and print options. *See Page 4 for print deadlines.

Events must meet our editorial standards. Print content is chosen at the discretion of editorial staff and featured as space allows.

MARCH 15, SUNDAY American Heart Association, Cincinnati Heart Mini-Marathon| Downtown, corner of 5th & Lawrence streets. 15K mini-marathon, half marathon, plus other walks to raise funds for heart research. ¼www2.heart.org MARCH 18, WEDNESDAY Meals on Wheels, Meals Madness Gala | 6-9 p.m. Cintas Center. March Madness-themed engagement, dinner, drinks, silent auction and program honoring the Haile Foundation and Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church. ¼muchmorethanameal.org/madness

April 18th, 2026 Oscar Event Center Fairfield, Ohio 5:30 pm

Make a difference for local children in foster care! Join us for dinner, dancing, and fun at Hope in Bloom!

MARCH 21, SATURDAY Mercy Neighborhood Ministries, Hoops & Hops | 6-10 p.m., Purcell Marian High School ¼mercyneighborhoodministries.org

Sponsorships & Tickets Available at www.hopesclosetohio.org/gala/ Hope’s Closet is a great nonprofit partner to our Sponsors! Learn more!

Movers & Makers

FEBRUARY 2026

29

GIFTS & GRANTS



UC engineering alum Ray Brooks and his wife, Connie Brooks, are committing a $10 million estate gift to the University of Cincinnati’s College of Engineering and Applied Science.

The Brookses’ gift will greatly expand the scholarship fund they launched in 2018, helping more than 100 students until they begin earning income through UC’s coop program.



The Nuxhall Foundation topped a $1 million matching challenge from The Hatton Foundation, raising $1.25 million to push The Hope Center closer to reality. The 31,000-square-foot indoor facility, set to open in 2026, will give athletes with physical and developmental disabilities a year-round home, including a permanent arena for Butler County Special Olympics, accessible fitness spaces and community programs.

The milestone pushes the foundation past $6.6 million in its $12 million Heading for Hope campaign.



The Holland Foundation for Sight Restoration launched a five-year, $5 million “Light After Darkness” campaign to expand access to care for patients with severe ocular surface disease, a condition that can cause chronic pain and blindness. The Cincinnati-based nonprofit, which operates Centers of Excellence in multiple states, plans to train surgeons, advance research, and build a nationwide network of treatment centers, giving thousands of patients hope and sight.



The Ohio River Foundation received a $1.4 million grant from the state’s H2Ohio Program to create 30 acres of wetlands along the Scioto River in Pickaway County. The off-channel wetlands will filter millions of gallons of water, reduce flooding and provide habitat for dozens of species. The river supplies drinking water to more than 1 million people. The project builds on the Blue Ashbased foundation’s focus on conservation along the Ohio River.



Communities across Greater Cincinnati will see major development projects advance after the Cincinnati Development Fund secured a $70 million New Markets Tax Credit allocation from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s CDFI Fund. The funding will help fill financing gaps for major community projects, supporting affordable housing, essential services and job creation.

CDF, a nonprofit lender, specializes in financing real estate development in underserved neighborhoods that traditional lenders often overlook.



The Greater Cincinnati Foundation awarded $663,000 to 31 local organizations through its Vibrant Places grant program. Grants, ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, support arts and cultural programs, community spaces and inclusive youth activities. Recipients include the Contemporary Arts Center, Kennedy Heights Arts Center, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, neighborhood groups like Cornerstone Renter Equity and Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, and nonprofits such as Canine Companions for Independence.

The largest awards will fund projects that activate public spaces.  Full list: moversmakers.org,



Music education in Northern Kentucky public schools is receiving new support through a $25,000 grant from Billy Joel and his wife, Alexis Roderick Joel, via The Joel Foundation. The grant will strengthen The Carnegie’s Arts Integration program, bringing teaching artists into classrooms to blend music and the arts with daily lessons. The initiative aims to boost creativity, problem-solving and confidence for students with limited access to arts education.



Communities along Cincinnati’s Mill Creek Corridor will see new investment and revitalization through a $5 million investment from the Robert Wood Johnson

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Foundation. The funding will bring affordable housing, economic opportunity and health improvements to neighborhoods long affected by disinvestment and environmental hazards. Greater Cincinnati Foundation will lead the effort, funding construction of 25 homes and rehabilitation of another 25. GCF will also partner with local organizations to create jobs and expand access to lowinterest home improvement loans.



Children in long-term foster care will benefit from expanded support through a $280,000 grant to Beech Acres Parenting Center from the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. The program helps children in longterm foster care find permanent families. The funding will support Beech Acres’ work with Hamilton County Job and Family Services for children who cannot safely return to their biological families.



Greater Cincinnati artists are set to bring new projects to life with support from ArtsWave’s 2026 Inspire Artist Grants. The $205,000 in grant fund projects in film, visual art, performance and poetry, while offering professional development and mentorship.

Awardees will present their work in July at the CAC. The list of grantees is available online.  Full list: moversmakers.org,



The Art Academy of Cincinnati received a $922,212 state grant for energyefficiency upgrades at its campus facilities in Over-the-Rhine.

The investment by the Ohio Department of Development’s Advanced Energy Fund will help replace the Academy’s HVAC system, upgrade water heaters and improve building controls and chillers. The project is expected to reduce the Academy’s annual utility energy usage by about 46%.

The Advanced Energy Fund helps educational institutions, nonprofits, municipalities, and businesses reduce energy consumption and operating costs. 

Winning More Grants Starts Here.

Funder Grant Research + Strategy + Qualification Planning

Grant Grant Writing + Program Submission Management

Over $370 million in grant funding secured.

Let’s Win More Grants Together.

Movers & Makers

FEBRUARY 2026

31

NONPROFIT NEWS

Center for Respite Care secures new OTR home The Center for Respite Care is preparing to relocate to a permanent home in Over-theRhine after purchasing the former Uptown Arts building for $2.1 million in an all-cash deal.

The move, expected this fall, will give the city’s only medical respite program a 20-bed facility on East Liberty Street designed to support longer recuperative stays and clients with complex medical needs.

“For more than two decades, we have seen how effective medical care can be when paired with dignity and stability,” CEO Laurel Derks Nelson said.

The Center, which rents space on Republic Street, has launched a $5 million campaign to fund renovations, relocation costs and expanded programming. A formal move-in date has not been set.  centerforrespitecare.org/ways-to-give

Cincinnati again ranks among most arts-vibrant regions Cincinnati’s cultural strength earned renewed national attention recently as the region placed in the top 5% of U.S. arts-vibrant communities in SMU DataArts’ 2025 Arts Vibrancy Index.

The index evaluates more than 900 regions using measures of arts supply, demand and public support.

Greater Cincinnati – which includes parts of Northern Kentucky and Indiana – ranked No. 42 on a list of 100 communities, continuing a streak of appearances dating back to 2020. Only 22 places have made the index at least three times since then.

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The ranking highlights the depth of Cincinnati’s arts landscape, from blockbuster events like BLINK to year-round programming across neighborhoods and major institutions.

Cleveland, Columbus and Akron also landed in the top 100 this year.  culturaldata.org

UC’s grant opens pathway to tuition-free college The University of Cincinnati plans to ease the burden of college costs with a new grant that will make tuition effectively free for many lowincome Ohio students.

Beginning in fall 2026, Ohio residents from families earning under $75,000 who qualify for Pell Grants will have any remaining tuition covered through the Bearcat Affordability Grant.

The program is open to first-time freshmen across all three UC campuses.

UC’s move comes as colleges statewide compete on affordability. Leaders say the grant strengthens the university’s push to widen access and keep more local students on track to earn a degree.

“This grant program will be transformational for students, families and for this region,” said Jack Miner, vice provost for enrollment management.  admissions.uc.edu/affordability-grant.html

Convention Center reopens after $264 million makeover Cincinnati’s convention economy is getting a major lift with the completion of the $264 million renovation of the Cincinnati Convention Center. The redesigned 750,000-square-foot facility boasts a sleek glass façade, upgraded meeting spaces, modernized technology and

a reimagined Queen City Ballroom with an outdoor terrace. New public art was commissioned from ArtWorks, Black Art Speaks, the Art Academy of Cincinnati and AGAR. A massive new “Cincinnati” sign anchors the western façade.

Mayor Aftab Pureval called the reopening “a monumental moment for our city,” positioning Cincinnati to attract larger conventions and boost downtown activity.

The project serves as a centerpiece of the $800 million Convention District redevelopment, which includes the new Elm Street Plaza and planned hotel and garage upgrades.  cincyconventions.com

Cincinnati Recycling Hub shifts to membership model The Cincinnati Recycling and Reuse Hub shifted to a membership model, citing rising material volume and operating costs.

Most residents will need a membership to drop off hard-to-recycle items at the Lower Price Hill facility. The annual plan costs $10 a month and allows unlimited visits. A 30-day pass and one-time drop-off will each cost $15.

General recycling such as plastics, metals, textiles, Styrofoam and TerraCycle items will be included with membership. Universal waste, like batteries, bulbs and certain electronics, will continue to carry separate fees.

Shopping at and donating to The Hub remain free.

“We have roughly 4,000 households that we serve currently, and we hope that they all join … and more,” said Executive Director Chad Planner.  cincinnatirecyclingandreusehub.org

A SUBURBAN OASIS OF CARE

How Valley Interfaith food pantry became a lifeline for 37K people

By Cindy Starr

I

n the north central suburb of Lockland, a transformational nonprofit is beaming out a message of gratitude and appreciation. John Keuffer III, CEO of Valley Interfaith Community Resource Center, thanks all who have enabled this oasis of caring to reach 17,000 households, or about 37,000 individuals, in 2025.

As awareness of Valley Interfaith’s role in battling suburban poverty has grown, it has transformed from a neighborhood food pantry to a million-dollar agency. While it primarily serves households from five zip codes in the upper Mill Creek Valley north of the Norwood Lateral, it has provided food, clothing and a road map for personal, spiritual and economic transformation to individuals from four Ohio counties.

that included collaborations with community partners that could provide addiction treatment and mental health care.

But growing headwinds – an aging donor base, a low profile and an influx of some 6,000 immigrants – threatened the agency’s existence.

“People will tell you Valley Interfaith is the best-kept secret,” Keuffer said. “That’s the worst thing for a nonprofit.”

In 2017, the agency’s members – they’re called members, not clients – were 50% Black, 50% white. By 2021, about a quarter were Hispanic.

And in 2023, well over a thousand immigrants from Mauritania arrived at Valley Interfaith’s doors.

“If you show up here, we’ll do our best to provide food,” Keuffer said.

“We don’t get involved in politics.

We don’t care who comes, how they come. If you’re hungry, we feed you.

But we don’t want to adopt anyone.

We want to learn what the deeper causes of your poverty are and provide resource connections that can help you live a sustaining life.”

Finding a solution was critical.

“The reality is that gentrification in the city is pushing poverty out to the suburbs,” Keuffer said. “And there are few human resources in the suburbs. I believe we’re the largest food pantry outside the city of Cincinnati. We’re the stopgap. Just imagine 37,000 people in need of food! Meanwhile, you have thousands of immigrants coming who are not allowed to work because of their asylum and refugee status.”

When Keuffer joined Valley Interfaith eight years ago after leaving his position as head of the Sheakley Center for Youth at Lighthouse Youth Services, he found a vital yet fragile agency that depended on an angel donor to meet year-end deficits. Keuffer stabilized the organization, and by 2021 it was on solid footing. It had a small reserve fund and an expanded calling

Determined to keep the resource center alive, Keuffer set out to reintroduce Valley Interfaith to the county with an awareness campaign. In a pivotal development, he connected with John Pepper, the former Procter & Gamble CEO and Great Living Cincinnatian who had made a contribution in memory of a colleague and devoted Valley Interfaith volunteer.

Keuffer cold-called, asking Pepper

whether he would share advice and feedback as Keuffer prepared his awareness campaign. Pepper did more than that. He helped Keuffer refine development materials and, with his wife, Francie, recruited additional prominent philanthropists, including Rhonda Sheakley and Larry Sheakley, and Lorraine Mayernik and Joseph Mayernik.

Successes followed. Among them are this year’s $3.1 million comprehensive campaign, which includes legacy gifts, programming and $1.1 million to begin renovation of Valley Interfaith’s building, which was donated to the agency in 2024. The renovation will enable the agency to expand its service area to reach more people in need.

“Someone has said we’re like the little engine that could,” Keuffer said. “We have provided people facing poverty a place outside of the city where they can feel accepted, where they belong to something.

Mauritanians call us the House of God, even though we’re not a religious place. We were created to be about everybody, and it’s a mission we follow every single day.” 

CONTENT SPONSORED BY VALLEY INTERFAITH COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER

vicrc.org

NAMES in the NEWS

Brian Turner

Doug Hart

Joey Beyersdorfer

Chris Higgins

Mike Bohmer

Trisha Kassner

Aaron Seurkamp

Alexandru David

Kat Steiner

Rickell Howard Smith

Sally Quilligan

Alexandra Eby

Gabriel van Aalst

Colleen Houston Paula Nyika-Makore Lisa Benzinger

Carol Rountree

Janice Liebenberg

Julie Bruns

Jen Stein

Kayla Soroka



The Ohio River Foundation added three members to its board: Brian Turner, an IT executive at Messer Construction; Doug Hart, a consulting and fundraising professional; and Joey Beyersdorfer, VP of sales and marketing at Clear Packaging.



The University of Cincinnati Foundation named Chris Higgins its vice president for development, academic health enterprise. Higgins, a veteran higher education fundraiser, will lead all development efforts across UC’s medical campus, including the colleges of medicine, nursing and allied health sciences, the Winkle College of Pharmacy and UC Health. The Cincinnati native most recently served as associate vice president for development at the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin.



Justin Beale has been promoted to executive director of Meals on Wheels of Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky.

He joined the nonprofit in July 2024, serving as development manager and then director of development. Meals on Wheels’ board also appointed three new members: Mike Bohmer, senior VP and financial adviser at Wealth Enhancement Cincinnati; Trisha Kassner, senior director of business development at Vaco by Highspring; and Aaron Seurkamp, president of the protection and retirement division of Protective Life Corporation.

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LifeSciKY, a nonprofit lab incubator in Covington, hired Alexandru David as an innovation fellow. This role offers undergraduate and graduate students experience in the life sciences industry. David is a senior at Centre College majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology and has already contributed to research in the development of several curative therapies.

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Justin Beale

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Kat Steiner is the new chief development officer at SPCA Cincinnati. A 25-year fundraising veteran, Steiner has helped guide philanthropic efforts at YWCA Greater Cincinnati, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, Red Cross Greater Cincinnati-Dayton Region and other organizations. She’ll oversee SPCA’s fundraising strategies as it works to expand its animal welfare work across the region.

The Cincinnati Bengals recognized Rickell Howard Smith, president and CEO of YWCA Greater Cincinnati, as its 2025 Inspire Change Changemaker. The annual honor highlights community leaders in NFL cities whose work aligns with the league’s Inspire Change initiative, which invests in programs such as education, economic mobility and criminal justice reform. As part of the recognition, the NFL Foundation awarded $10,000 to YWCA Greater Cincinnati.

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Hearing Speech + Deaf Center promoted Sally Quilligan to chief operations officer.

A board-certified hearing instrument specialist, Quilligan brings clinical expertise and what the Center called a “passion for operations, nonprofit leadership and communication equity.” The organization also welcomed Alexandra Eby as director of development and marketing. Eby has a background in nonprofit fundraising, including experience with the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

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Two Southwest Ohio arts leaders will help guide CreativeOhio, a statewide advocacy organization for creatives and the creative economy. Gabriel van Aalst, president and CEO of Dayton Live, joins the board of directors, bringing nearly two decades of experience in performing arts management, including leading the New Jersey Symphony. CreativeOhio, based in Columbus, also named existing board member Colleen Houston, CEO and artistic director of ArtWorks, as board vice president.

Adventure Crew added Paula NyikaMakore, senior sales manager at Humana Healthcare, and Lisa Benzinger, CEO of The PLI Group, to its board of directors. They bring expertise in public health, sustainability and financial management to support the nonprofit’s mission of connecting city teens with nature and each other through outdoor adventures.

Loveland Inter Faith Effort Food Pantry selected Carol Rountree to serve as its executive director. Her nonprofit background includes time with University of Cincinnati Foundation, Inspiring Service, Inter Parish Ministry, UGIVE and more.

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Visit Cincy Foundation for Hospitality Excellence named Janice Liebenberg as chair of its board of directors. The new foundation focuses on advancing the region’s cultural and economic vitality through hospitality. Liebenberg, senior VP of development at the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio, has experience in fundraising, equitable arts advancement and strategic community engagement.

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Attorney Julie Bruns is the newest member of Crayons to Computers’ board of trustees. Bruns, a partner at Frost Brown Todd, brings deep community involvement and a passion for education, according to Crayons to Computers. The nonprofit provides teachers with tools to assist with student success.

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The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati elected Jen Stein and Kayla Soroka to its board of trustees. Stein, a career financial professional, brings leadership experience from multiple Foundation-supported institutions.

Soroka, a Jewish education and engagement specialist, has played a key role in young leadership programs and cross-institutional initiatives.

NAMES in the NEWS

Kendall Fisher

Thérèse DelGenio Michael L. Grome

Ronald Stubblefield Matt Singleton

Carolyn Yorio

Pete Williams

Hunter Poindexter

Chris Potoka

Patricia Brown

Matt Hunnell

Jerel Stewart

Hannah Ross

Mike Baker

Chad Showalter

Brice J. Mickey

Jake Campbell

Becca Desai

Audrey Holtzman

John O’Keefe

Soumya Paul

Sameep Singh

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Kendall Fisher now serves on the board for The Center for Respite Care. She is executive director of the Street Medicine Institute, which brings health care directly to people living unsheltered. The Center also added Sister Thérèse DelGenio and Michael L. Grome to its board. DelGenio is a member of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, and Grome brings expertise in family and geriatric nursing.

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Santa Maria Community Services appointed Peter Williams and Hunter Poindexter to its board of directors. Williams, senior VP and portfolio manager at Osborn Williams and Donohoe, returns to the board after previously serving as treasurer and board chair. Poindexter, an associate attorney at Calfee, Halter and Griswold LLP, has experience supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs through the University of Cincinnati’s Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic. Santa Maria helps families in Greater Price Hill achieve their educational, financial and health goals.

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JUMPSTART Ohio, a Cincinnatiarea nonprofit helping incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals rebuild their lives, named Matt Hunnell as executive director. Hunnell has 15 years of experience in prison ministry and reentry work. He served as chief development officer for The Refuge, a faith-based rehabilitation program, and as director of development for Prison Fellowship.

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Jerel Stewart will coordinate the launch of ToolBank’s new academy, a program designed to help youth build confidence and real-world skills through hands-on community projects. A former ToolBank volunteer, Stewart brings experience in youth and young-adult programming, mentorship, and partnering with local schools and nonprofits.

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Hannah Ross, director of learning at the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, is one of Musical America Worldwide’s 2025 Top 30 Professionals of the Year. Ross joined the CSO in fall 2025 and brings nine years of experience at the Rhode Island Philharmonic.

Artist Chris Potoka has joined Independence Alliance – a nonprofit serving people with permanent disabilities – as director of art programming. He’ll transition later this year to oversee the nonprofit’s Art Beyond Boundaries Gallery, where artists with disabilities can enhance their artistic and professional skills.

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Patricia Brown, who has nearly 35 years of leadership experience in behavioral health, hospital systems and community-based organizations, joins Central Clinic Behavioral Health as division director of Central Connection. She’ll oversee the clinic’s program development and service delivery, guide strategic direction and work to strengthen community partnerships across Hamilton County.

MORTAR added Mike Baker to its board of directors. The Cincinnati nonprofit, which supports historically marginalized entrepreneurs, has partnered with Baker for nearly a decade. He has more than 20 years’ experience at United Way of Greater Cincinnati, where he most recently served as chief strategy officer.

Greater Cincinnati Foundation’s Ronald Stubblefield has been appointed to the International Economic Development Council’s Redefining Equitable Economic Development Advisory Committee for a twoyear term. Stubblefield’s experience advancing housing and place-based strategies at GCF will help shape the committee’s efforts.

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Matt Singleton is the new director of technology and data for Greater Cincinnati Foundation. He said his decision to take the role stems from his “passion” for using tech to “make our region a better place for everyone.”

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Caracole promoted Carolyn Yorio to chief program officer. Yorio joined the AIDS service organization in 2013 in medical case management and moved into leadership of the housing department in 2019. She holds dual master’s degrees in public health and social work, with a focus on maternal and child health leadership and policy development.

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Chad Showalter, former head of communications at Kings Island, is the new director of public relations for Kenton County Public Library. He spent nearly eight years at Kings Island and four years at Newport Aquarium.

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Brice J. Mickey joined the board of directors of Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati and assumed the role of board scribe. A DEI strategist and facilitator, Mickey serves as equal opportunity program manager at UC and co-chairs the board of WordPlay Cincy.

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EquaSion leadership added six trustees: Jake Campbell, Bakhtavar (Becca) Desai, Audrey Holtzman, John O’Keefe, Soumya Paul and Sameep Singh. The nonprofit uses interfaith dialogue to create programs that build understanding, respect and inclusion. Each new trustee will serve a three-year term. 

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Snapshots Who, what, where & why SNAPSHOTS

Whimsical Nutcracker Luncheon raises sweet $315K for Ballet

Ellen Wagenlander and Matty Wagenlander with their children

The 600 guests at the Cincinnati Ballet’s annual Nutcracker Luncheon were swept into the Land of Sweets at Music Hall. Guests enjoyed performances by Cincinnati Ballet’s Second Company (CB2) and Professional Training Division (PTD) dancers, photos with costumed Nutcracker characters and other whimsical activities.

This year’s fundraiser, presented by the Oliver Family Foundation, the Unnewehr Foundation and the Williams Foundation, raised over $315,000 for Cincinnati Ballet’s stage performances, educational and community programs and the Otto M. Budig Academy.  cballet.org ‌Lindsay Eveler, Annie Foley, Courtney Ragland and Katie Lanni

Event co-Chairs Nancy Fehr and Hillary Weidner Nancy Fehr, Sue Vollmer, Rhonda Sheakley, Katherine Jarnigo and Hillary Weidner

Cincinnati Ballet Artistic Director Cervilio Miguel Amador and President/CEO Debbie Brant

Kelly Zureick, Sugar Plum Fairy, Nutcracker and Brandon Zureick with their daughter

Otto M. Budig Academy instructor Miss Donna leads young guests in a dance class.

Bonnie Morgan, Dr. Sudha Jaganathan and Stephanie Hogue

Dr. Khurram A. Khan, Sugar Plum Fairy, Nutcracker and Zofeen Kahn with their children Land of Sweets desserts were provided by eat well celebrations and feasts.

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Young guests watch performances by CB2 and PTD dancers.

Movers & Makers

Roxy Slavin and Antonio Villegas of CB2 perform.

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4C salutes ‘Champions’ at annual gala 4C for Children and guests joined agency President/CEO Dean Wooding for this year’s Champions Gala to celebrate those who are shaping the lives of children in our community.

Presented by PNC, the event at the new Mercantile Immersive, downtown, honored three local early childhood education heroes: Linda Lockhart, a longtime early childhood education trainer; Adia Molloy, early childhood education and community advocate, volunteer and donor; and Rokisha Quarles, child care center owner and special needs child care provider.

Emceed by board members Christine Gibson and Katie Bezold, the celebration also honored retired President/CEO Vanessa Freytag with the 4C for Children Impact Award. The evening included storytelling, dinner, a live auction and an afterparty.  4cforchildren.org

Board member Christine Gibson; honorees Vanessa Freytag and Adia Molloy; President/CEO Dean Woodring; honorees Linda Lockhart and Rokeisha Quarles; and board member Katie Bezold Chara Fisher Jackson, executive director/CEO of Cincinnati Preschool Promise, with Fatima Jones, owner of Champion Learning Center Cocktail reception sponsor Western & Southern Financial Group guests: (Back) Kyle Connolly, Pearse McCormack and Tony Bezold; (front) Teresa Connolly, Katie Bezold, Tom Stanek and Gayle Stanek

Board Chair Stephanie Byrd

Guests from presenting sponsor PNC: (Back) Mitch Eberenz, Jessica Yankie and Paul Yankie; (front) Heather Eberenz, Rebecca Moses, Mona Beatty and Sherwin Beatty

Gala salutes power of leadership in construction industry The Spirit of Construction’s 29th annual gala brought together industry leaders and partners for an evening that honored the power of leadership in construction – how knowledge, values and culture are passed down through mentorship and example.

The event celebrated today’s construction leaders while underscoring the need to cultivate the next generation. Each year, the event recognizes individuals whose dedication and craftsmanship strengthen our region’s construction industry. This year’s Lifetime Achievement Awards went to Jeff Read of The Nelson Stark Company, John Steele Jr. of Hilltop Companies, John Strawser of Valley Interior Systems and Michael Griffie Sr. of M Pact, all of whose contributions embody excellence and service.  spiritofconstruction.org

(Back) Ed Rigaud, Billy Boykins, Pam Page-Boykins and Eddie Rigaud; (front) Earnie Clark, Carol Rigaud and Morgan Rigaud

Evie Scheible, Tim Acri and Kara Acri Gala-goers dance at The Spirit of Construction’s annual celebration.

Mary McConnell and Ron Lindeman

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SNAPSHOTS

NKY Chamber Regional Summit a forum for women to strengthen careers Area businesswomen of all ages and careers gathered for the 2025 Women’s Initiative Regional Summit, powered by PNC, at Northern Kentucky University. It served as a forum for women, with participation from supportive male colleagues, to share and discuss their career goals, hear from speakers and panelists, and leave with tools and resources to strengthen their professional and personal lives. Keynote speakers were Candace McGraw, former CEO of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, and Patrice Borders, AmplifyEI founder and CEO.  NKYChamber.com/WomensInitiative Keynote speaker Patrice Borders

Panelists Jacque Saltsman, Karen Bosse, Shelley Volpenhein and moderator Katie Elbisser Emcee Jordyne Carmack Breakout session speaker Tarita Preston Breakout session speaker Anna Wright Breakout session speaker Catherine Salzman Keynote speaker Candace McGraw (Left) Breakout session speaker Rachel Jones

Men of Honor recognizes five local trailblazers The 15th annual Men of Honor event, hosted

by The Abercrumbie Group and company partners at Turfway Park Event Center, celebrated five African American men for their leadership and community impact.

The 2025 honorees: • Clifford Bailey, president/CEO of TechSoft Systems • Rance Duke, retired vice president of Fort Washington Investment Advisors • Evans Nwankwo, president/CEO of Megen Construction • H. James Williams, president of Mount St. Joseph University • Barron Witherspoon, retired senior vice president, Procter & Gamble

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Photos by Shellee Fisher

This year, in addition to a $25,000 grant donation from partner 7 Principles Foundation, the Abercrumbie Group donated a portion of the event proceeds to award scholarships for five young African American men in the community.

Men of Honor honorees: Clifford Bailey, Rance Duke, Evans Nwankwo, H. James Williams and Barron Witherspoon

Men of Honor Scholars: Jaxon Wilkerson, Justin Blackley Jr., Elijah Collins, Isaiah Parrish and Maxamillion Davis

SNAPSHOTS

The Force is with CABVI at ‘Star Wars’-themed fundraiser Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the region’s leading nonprofit providing comprehensive services for people who are blind or visually impaired, hosted its ninth annual Dining in the Dark fundraising gala at Cincinnati’s Hard Rock Casino Event Center. The event’s theme, “May the Force be with You,” celebrated the magic of “Star Wars” while raising awareness about vision loss.

Nearly 500 guests gained insights into the everyday experiences of people who are blind or visually impaired by dining blindfolded and taking part in immersive activities like Jedi Training, a blindfolded challenge that tested their lightsaber skills. The evening also featured a silent auction, raffles and a “Star Wars” costume contest.

The gala raised more than $260,000. Funds will benefit CABVI’s programs and services for people who are blind or visually impaired.  cincyblind.org

CABVI board member and Dining in the Dark committee member Patti Weller-Bresler

Teri Shirk, CABVI president/CEO; Casey McFarland, 2025 Barney H. Kroger Award honoree; and CABVI board Chair Tim Smith

Bobby Jefferson of First Financial Bank places a bid.

Brad Netherton, CABVI VP of manufacturing; Kim McNeer, VP of HR; Teri Shirk, president/CEO; Aaron Bley, chief mission officer; Jennifer Alvis, VP of business development; and Monica Braddock, chief financial officer RSM’s Jeff Landeen; Monica Braddock, CABVI chief financial officer; Matthew Landeen; with Krystle Fay and Daniel Snipes, both with RSM

Terri Williams, winner of the Dream Bourbon Collection and Wooden Chest at Dining in the Dark

SATURDAY 6:30PM CET SUNDAY 8:30PM CET ARTS Join Barbara Kellar as she showcases artists and cultural leaders from the Greater Cincinnati community.

Jeffrey Ferreira, CABVI client ambassador Q102’s Natalie Jones; VIE Ability E-Commerce Director Rob Volker; Lisa Volker; B105’s Anna Marie; and guest

www.CETconnect.org

Emmy Award Winner Regional - Interview/Discussion Program

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Women Walking West marks 10th year with RISE Gala Women Walking West (W3) held its sixth annual RISE (Reach, Include, Support, Educate) Gala at The Manor House in Mason, marking its 10-year anniversary with an event that drew a record 540 guests.

Emcee Liz Bonis from Local 12 guided the evening, which featured Macarena Cloninger, senior vice president at Cintas, as keynote speaker. Marzieh Hatamzadeh was recognized as W3’s Mentor of the Year, with Christopher Hubbard of Sinclair Community College receiving its Beacon Award. Gala co-chairs were Ivy Banks of Xavier University and Ed Kuresman of MAI Capital Management.

Women Walking West is a nonprofit dedicated to removing educational barriers for foreign-born adult women.  womenwalkingwest.org

Women Walking West founder and Chair George Sehi, Sherry Taylor, Yanthi Boutwell, Marian Glancy, Dwight Packard, Prekshya Nepal, Jonathan Cooper, Cathy Bishop-Clark, keynote speaker Macarena Cloninger and Ivy Banks Essay contest winners Saharnaz Ahmadi, Preshya Nepal, Ope Oguntuase and Michaela Zagal with Fatemeh Hajihosseini Mentor of the Year Marzieh Hatamzadeh with George Sehi George Sehi with Beacon Award winner Christopher Hubbard from Sinclair Community College

Fatemeh Hajihosseini, chief of operations and development for W3, with author Jun Owikawa

Fundraiser a WIN for building opportunity Working In Neighborhoods’ 2025 Hall of Fame event celebrated the people and partnerships that make families and neighborhoods stronger. Held at the Hyatt Regency, the evening brought together friends, supporters and community leaders to honor this year’s inductees, The John R. Jurgensen Company and Bobby Maly, for their commitment to building opportunity through housing and community investment.

With Local 12’s Bob Herzog as emcee, the annual fundraiser raised nearly $200,000 to support WIN’s mission. Working In Neighborhoods empowers individuals and families to make informed choices through community building, homeownership and economic learning. Union Savings Bank/Guardian Savings Bank was the event’s title sponsor.  wincincy.org Hall of Fame Committee members: cochair Dan Baechle, David Dirr, Sister Barbara Busch, Ellen Frankenberg, Misha Houston, Robie Suggs, co-chair Sierra Mercer and Glen Glenn

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Sister Barbara Busch (second from left) with John R. Jurgensen Co. honorees Jackie Alf, Aaron Clutter and Anthony Ricciardi

Jeannie Golliher, Joe Huber, honoree Bobby Maly and Rachel Maly

Honoree Bobby Maly, Sister Barbara Busch and WIN board Chair Joy Gazaway

SNAPSHOTS

Keynote speaker Suzanne Smith celebrates nonprofit leaders in the room.

Rasheda Cromwell of presenting sponsor Greater Cincinnati Foundation talks about GCF’s new capacitybuilding fund.

Luncheon speaker Patrice Borders discusses her “pause, process, pick” approach to emotional intelligence.

Leadership Council conference delivers insights for nonprofits Marking its 25th year, Leadership Council for Nonprofits’ Securing the Future conference took over Cintas Center for a full day of insight and discussion. The event featured keynote speakers Suzanne Smith and Patrice Borders, along with 11 workshops spanning executive succession, fundraising culture and other pressing challenges facing nonprofits.

Greater Cincinnati Foundation was the presenting sponsor, with Barnes Dennig as keynote sponsor. Interact for Health, Forvis Mazars, Huntington Insurance and 14 other sponsors, including Movers & Makers as media partner, provided key support for the event.

The conference furthered Leadership Council’s mission to maximize the impact of nonprofit organizations and develop their leaders so they can strengthen the community.  leadershipcouncil.us

Patrick Frambes of keynote sponsor Barnes Dennig introduces Suzanne Smith.

Leadership Council Executive Director Beth Benson welcomes the nearly 300 guests.

CityLink’s Jesiah Brock shares his thoughts on positive leadership during standingroom only workshop.

Nancy Knauf of Friends of Music Hall, Derrick Kihembo of Bahl & Gaynor and others head to the workshop sessions.

Development veterans Amanda McDonald, Ron Cropper and Rachel Kirley find time to catch up before a workshop.

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Easterseals’ Brighter Futures spotlights accomplishments Easterseals Redwood celebrated its annual Brighter Futures Celebration at the American Sign Museum.

Guests gathered for the event, which honored individuals and a standout community partner for their achievements and contributions.

2025 award recipients: • Outstanding Community Partner: The Farmer Family Foundation • Independence Award: Karena Girten • Growing Abilities Award: Lucy B. • Spirit of Easterseals Redwood Award: Diamond Snowden • Upward Mobility Award: Bentley Edwards Easterseals Redwood is a nonprofit that works to empower children and adults with disabilities, people facing economic challenges and military veterans to live full and meaningful lives.  eastersealsredwood.org

Easterseals Redwood CEO Pam Green and emcee Michelle Hopkins

From Staffmark: Michelle Cestaric, Matthew McGowen and Jennifer Fitzpatrick George Glover and Rich Bitonte

Award winners Joel Stone of the Farmer Family Foundation, Karena Girten, Bentley Edwards, Diamond Snowden, Nathan Brugger, Lucy B. (child) and Kristen Brugger

Liz Bonis and Spencer Hollenkamp

Gala helps foundation support families caring for ill children The Aubrey Rose Foundation hosted its 25th annual Let’s Dance for the Heart of It! gala. The event, attended by 200 people at the Mercantile Immersive, downtown, raised $121,000, with Local 12 health anchor and medical reporter Liz Bonis as the emcee.

The foundation is dedicated to strengthening family resilience and alleviating the financial and emotional trauma of caring for a child with a life-threatening illness. It provides financial assistance, educational advocacy and emotional support to families. More than 10,200 families have received foundation grants, and hundreds of students have received scholarships.  aubreyrose.org Kelly Tasset and Tom Tasset Guests dining in Vista Room

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Nancy Hollenkamp and Jerry Hollenkamp, founders of the Aubrey Rose Foundation

Connie Dusold, Linda DiTullio, Nancy Hollenkamp, Dana Kalkhoff, Jess Obert, Reenie Giesken and Cindy Rolfes

SNAPSHOTS

Adventure Crew rocks & rolls at annual fundraiser

Shawn Steurer and Mimi Huang, winners of the Vanguard Award, Adventure Crew’s highest distinction Tanica Stallworth and daughter, Adventure Crew teen presenter Nylah Watson, flank Cincinnati City Council member Meeka Owens

At Adventure Crew’s Summits & Horizons fall event, the nonprofit raised more than $80,000 through its “rock & roll” paddle raise to support its programs. The funds will help teens across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky keep exploring the outdoors this winter and beyond.

A highlight of the night was hearing Crew teens reflect on the connections they’ve built with nature and with one another. Author Carolyn Finney delivered a thought-provoking keynote on inclusion and representation in outdoor activities. Her appearance was sponsored by Duke Energy.  adventurecrew.org

Adventure Crew board member Jeff Spanbauer, board President Heather Spanbauer and Julia Creviston

David Jenike, Adventure Crew Executive Director Libby Hunter, Cincinnati City Council member Meeka Owens and Suzanne DeYoung

Donna Luggen Adventure Crew teen presenters George Ewing and Theo Smith

Prepare Affair participants: (Behind pyramid) Robert Ramsay; (on top of pyramid) son of Jeff Hitman-Mason; (back row) Jessi Frank, Teresa Popular, Dana Habig, Anne Ramsay, Maggie Zolides and Justin Frank; (front row) Jeff Hitman-Mason, Justin Wilkey, Mike Habig and Michelle French

John Creech, Anna Ehlerding, Gabriel Rhoads and Donna Hollingsworth

PWC’s fall cleanup draws 2,000 to help neighbors in need

Laci Gray takes a selfie with Samuel Foulkes, Brian McLaughlin, Erich Stoltzfus, Rachel Stone, Joe Suer, Aileen Lawson and Charyl Mikles. (Back row) Jeremy Cornell, Paul Tekulve and Dale Palmer; (middle row) Andrew Francois, Amy Poliner and Kendra Rahm; (front row) Jaime Meyer and Yousef Hattar

People Working Cooperatively’s annual Prepare Affair volunteer event provided fall cleanup services for low-income seniors, veterans and people with disabilities throughout Greater Cincinnati. Around 2,000 volunteers gathered to rake leaves and clean gutters at more than 700 homes. One of the largest volunteer events in the area, Prepare Affair is an opportunity for the community to help neighbors in need stay safe and healthy at home throughout the winter months.  pwchomerepairs.org Movers & Makers

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SNAPSHOTS

Glenda Schorr, Shannon Starkey-Taylor, Roger Schorr and Elizabeth Schorr

Learning Grove gala spotlights its educational mission

Katriece Barrett, Wilis Barrett, The Knight (volunteer JT Reder), Benjamin Boyles and Margaret Boyles

Nearly 200 guests gathered at the Hilton Netherland Plaza for Gala in the Grove: Once Upon a Gala to celebrate and raise money for Learning Grove, which develops innovative learning experiences to empower children and their families.

The fairy-tale theme included touches to cocktails and décor, and a full accessory bar for guests to add to their outfits.

Attendees enjoyed a silent auction, raffles and games during the evening, which was led by WLWT anchor Kelly Rippin.

Roger Schorr, Glenda Schorr and Elizabeth Schorr received the 2025 Charity in Action Award during the program.  learning-grove.org

Tracy Moore and Rebecca Wilson

Covington Business Council dinner honors ‘new legacy’ The Covington Business Council 2025 Annual Dinner, held at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center, focused on the theme “Ignite: Sparking A New Legacy.”

Mainstrasse restaurateurs Paul Weckman and Emily Wolff of Otto’s won the Founder Award for benefiting Covington’s economic landscape. Anthony Bradford of A-M Titan won the inaugural Ascent Award for achievements from the young professional sector.

The dinner, attended by 500, is CBC’s largest fundraiser, and was presented by title sponsor St. Elizabeth Healthcare.  cbcky.com Photo by Leah Brady

JNF-USA’s Tree of Life gala honors supporters of Israel’s future Four hundred Ohio Valley philanthropists, friends and family of Jewish National Fund-USA’s Tree of Life Award recipients – Shelly Gerson, Jeffrey Zipkin and Dr. William Barrett – gathered at Cincinnati Music Hall to honor the trio.

The Tree of Life Award is bestowed for exceptional contribution to the Jewish community and the land and people of Israel. It recognizes outstanding community involvement, professional leadership and dedication to the cause of American-Israeli friendship with the devotion to peace and the security of human life.

The event also featured a keynote speech by veteran Israeli diplomat Shahar Azani, a passionate advocate for Israel and a frequent contributor to media outlets focusing on Israel, Jewish issues and the Middle East.  jnf.org 44

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 Kenneth Webb, VP for sponsor Republic Bank, and Anthony Bradford Photos by Krystalyn Photography

Eddie Paul and Nina Paul with Tree of Life honorees Jeffrey Zipkin, Shelly Gerson and Dr. William Barrett

Paul Weckman, Emily Wolff and CBC Executive Director Pat Frew

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Artful cocktail fundraiser benefits CAC programs Contemporary Arts Center hosted its Cuisine Art Cocktails fundraiser, celebrating the city’s contemporary culture through an artful collaboration among local chefs, mixologists, artists, and business and community leaders. Mu Sinclaire was honorary chair.

More than 400 guests enjoyed small plates and cocktails from leading local chefs and restaurateurs, including 2025 VIP partners Chef David Jackman of Wildweed and Mike Stankovich of Longfellow and Mid-City restaurants. Attendees also experienced interactive installations, a performance by Grammynominated Jess Lamb & The Factory with Siri Imani, tattoo artists and after-hours access to CAC’s galleries.

Cuisine Art Cocktails raised nearly $180,000.

Proceeds benefit CAC’s general operations and fuel exhibitions and education programming.  cincycac.org

Adam Turer and Corrie Loeffler Dick Rosenthal, Dr. Maria Espinola and Jonathan Espinola

Kathy Merchant and Mary Stagaman

Sheila Cohen, Rick Michelman and Karen Meyer

Cheryl Stamm, Carlin Stamm and Ann Keeling

Hayden Kintner and Alecia Kintner Michelle Vance Waddell and Sara Vance Waddell Eddie Rigaud and Morgan Rigaud

Keith Pandolfi and Amy Fitzgibbons

Photos by Tasha Pinelo and Shae Huth

Stream Ohio Heritage Fellows episodes from The Art Show

PJ Gamble and Currecia Gamble

Romain Mayambi and Barbara Hauser Tamara Harkavy and Anastasia Mileham

Learn more about

Learn more about

Sujatha Srinivasan

Susan Abramovitz

CETconnect.org Movers & Makers

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UC Foundation spotlights philanthropy volunteers The University of Cincinnati Foundation recognized its Outstanding Philanthropic Volunteer Award honorees at the George Rieveschl Recognition Dinner. This annual event celebrates the individuals receiving the foundation’s highest accolades for their philanthropic and volunteer commitments to the University of Cincinnati and UC Health.

The 2025 honorees are: Dr. J. Brett Offenberger and Douglas Duckett; former U.S. Sen. Rob Portman and Wym Portman; John Weidner; the Sigma Sigma Alumni Network; and Lucas Lodato.  foundation.uc.edu

(Front, center) Vincent DeGeorge (in bow tie), Douglas Duckett, Dr. J. Brett Offenberger, College-Conservatory of Music Dean Peter Jutras and Elaine Cox pose with CCM students

Cocktail party boosts Habitat’s Women Build initiative An intimate cocktail party kicked off Habitat for Humanity Greater Cincinnati’s annual Women Build campaign. Hosts were Carole Williams and James Williams and Melinda Stenger and Jerry Stenger. Guests helped raise $30,000 toward the $75,000 goal, with longtime supporter Fifth Third Bank serving as a key sponsor.

Women Build unites women to roll up their sleeves, build connections and empower one another, while creating an affordable home for a local family. This May, teams will take to the build site, turning their support into walls, nails and a lasting impact in the Greater Cincinnati community.  habitatcincinnati.org

Night for a Cure highlights advances in IBD research The Southern Ohio & Kentucky chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation celebrated a record-breaking night with its Night for a Cure fundraiser, which brought in over $257,000.

More than 300 guests attended in person at TQL Stadium First Financial Club and dozens more participated via online donations. Accepting the Uniting to Care and Cure award, Dr. Ted Denson of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital spoke about how giving has made IBD research advancement possible. Dr. Anita Afzali of the University of Cincinnati, who continues to show what it takes to make waves in the community, took home the Bing Hinton Legacy Award. And Melissa Bookout shared how acts of generosity and kindness helped her on her IBD journey.  crohnscolitisfoundation.org/chapters/soh-ky 46

FEBRUARY 2026

Movers & Makers

Ashton Wilson, Te’Airea Powell, Tracy Wells, Carole Williams, Melinda Stenger, Sarah Reynolds, Laura Wells and Jerry Stenger

Dr. Kara DeFelice with Dr. Anita Afzali, Bing Hinton Legacy Award honoree, both of University of Cincinnati Uniting to Care and Cure Award honoree Dr. Ted Denson of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital 

Melissa Bookout spoke about her experiences.

SNAPSHOTS

Talbert House raises funds, possibilities at camp-support event Talbert House’s annual Make Camp Possible event raised $123,000 to support Camp Possible, a therapeutic summer program for children coping with mental health challenges. The circus-themed affair welcomed more than 150 guests to Ivy Hills Country Club. As a result, 60 children will have the opportunity to attend Camp Possible next summer.

Camp Possible provides children with a safe, structured and supportive environment during school breaks. Campers participate in group therapy sessions and learn skills such as anger management, self-esteem and peer relations. There is no cost to attend.

Presenting event sponsor was The Jackie and Roy Sweeney Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation; Emily Peterson and Peter Hiltz co-chaired the event committee.  talberthouse.org

From Fifth Third Bank: Kris Sammons, Betsy Florea, Christian Florea, Alyssa Argenti, Hamad Siddiqi and Sam Hashmi Lara Green and Laurence Jones, Talbert House vice chair John Rickert and Karen Rickert

Event co-chairs Peter Hiltz and Emily Peterson Jeremy Gaerke, Liz Gaerke, Jen Feldmeyer and Scot Feldmeyer (Back row) Zeke Cole, Alyssa Argenti, Ramona Peckham, Tori Roberts, Andrew Taylor and Grant Freking; (front row) Kate Gormley and Anna Gormley

From Prolocity: Emilie Ansel, John McKenzie, Kat Rolley, Greg Hart and Hannah Bickett

Kris Sammons, Adam Zimmer, Tracy Zimmer, Jocelyn Michaelis, Steve Michaelis and Sara Wildner

Dan Washko, Brigid Maher, Josh Hill, Cristina Ferrari, Adam Little and Jessica Tribbe

The Make Camp Possible committee: (Back row) Emily Peterson, Dom Iacobucci, Sam Rossell, Scot Feldmeyer, Jared Breeze, Valerie Lane, Alan Piker and Stacy Cole; (front row) Brian Trainer and Jovie Kang

Movers & Makers

FEBRUARY 2026

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SNAPSHOTS

Author and illustrator Loren Long shares stories with St. Lawrence School’s second graders.

Loren Long, Book Bank encourage kids’ imaginations Bestselling author and illustrator Loren Long surprised students at St. Lawrence School in Price Hill with a visit. As one of 20 schools in Queen City Book Bank’s curated book program, St. Lawrence welcomed Long into its school library, where the author shared his creative process and encouraged students to embrace their imaginations.

Thanks to Long’s generosity, every second grader in QCBB’s Curated Book Distribution Program – nearly 1,000 students across 20 partner schools – received a copy of his beloved picture book, “Otis the Tractor.”

In addition, through its Book Bridge Program, QCBB partners with more than 160 organizations. One partner is the Freestore Foodbank. At the Freestore’s Bea Taylor Market, families shopping for groceries also can select free books. Curated shelves help families find age-appropriate and engaging books that match their children’s interests.  queencitybookbank.org, freestorefoodbank.org Queen City Book Bank staff and volunteers deliver two new Food for Thought bookshelves and holiday books to the Freestore Foodbank: Shymain Walker, Laura Martin, Michelle Otten Guenther and Karen Reiber

 Ohio Valley Goodwill staff members Jeff Eastham, VP of operations, and Kelly Scheombs, VP of employee experience, with Santa

At the Larry & Rhonda Sheakley Club in Price Hill: Bill Bresser, CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati, with Rhonda Sheakley and Larry Sheakley

Goodwill’s Holiday Hopefest brings cheer to residents in need

Boys & Girls Clubs celebrate Price Hill center’s 10th anniversary

Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries opened its doors to the Greater Cincinnati community for its 23rd Holiday Hopefest, an annual celebration that extends far beyond a holiday meal.

More than 300 people experiencing homelessness joined staff and community partners at the Sharonville Convention Center for an evening filled with dignity, connection and hope for all.

Along with a warm dinner, attendees were treated to holiday entertainment and received winter hats and gloves. Children who attended were given teddy bears and were able to enjoy a craft station.

CEO Mark Hiemstra called the event a demonstration of the organization’s commitment to supporting the region’s most vulnerable throughout the year.  cincinnatigoodwill.org

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Larry & Rhonda Sheakley Club in Price Hill with an event that brought together club members, staff and longtime supporters. The celebration honored the club’s decade of impact and unveiled a newly renovated space, part of BGCGC’s A New Generation capital campaign.

Larry Sheakley and Rhonda Sheakley, whose generosity and vision have empowered thousands of young people, joined club leaders and families to commemorate the occasion. The celebration featured pizza and ice cream trucks, carnival games, a DJ set from Kiss107’s JonJon and plenty of fun for all ages.  bgcgc.org

Elizabeth Schweinefuss, HER Cincinnati’s director of family support services, hugs one of the Off the Streets graduates.

HER Cincinnati’s Off the Streets graduates take new paths A ceremony at United Way of Greater Cincinnati with 125 attendees honored graduates of HER Cincinnati’s Off the Streets program. Over the past two decades, Off the Streets has supported more than 2,000 women by providing critical services to empower them in overcoming addiction, poverty and exploitation.

The graduates are working to break these cycles by completing the program and were recognized for their bravery and resilience.  hercincinnati.org

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FEBRUARY 2026

Movers & Makers

Pie fundraiser serves up generous slice of support for seniors More than 300 volunteers packed 6,000 pies at Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church during Meals on Wheels of Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky’s annual Thanksgiving pie fundraiser. Corporate teams, community volunteers and Meals on Wheels staff prepared the pies for senior centers, nonprofit and private partners, Bust-a-Crust sponsors and members of the community.

Proceeds from pie sales and sponsorships help Meals on Wheels promote seniors’ independence and well-being through essential services.

Sara Lee Frozen Bakery was the event’s presenting sponsor.  muchmorethanameal.org Packing pies: Aimee Stockton and Christina Cotrone from Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church

SNAPSHOTS

National Philanthropy Day awards luncheon The Association of Fundraising Professionals of Cincinnati held its 2025 National Philanthropy Day event to celebrate generosity across the Greater Cincinnati region. The chapter’s signature annual luncheon took place in the Music Hall Ballroom and was presented by the Fifth Third Foundation. The event highlighted the powerful impact of giving on social services, the arts, education and more.

Honorees: • Philanthropists of the Year: Dianne Rosenberg and David Rosenberg • Volunteer of the Year: Barbara Weyand • Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy: Zack McGinty • Innovator of the Year: Impact 100 • Outstanding Foundation: Scripps Howard Fund • Lifetime Achievement in Fundraising: Jim Yunker  afpcincinnati.org

Honorees – Jim Yunker, Zack McGinty, Dianne Rosenberg, David Rosenberg, Meredith Delaney and Jeff Brogan of Scripps Howard and Barbara Weyand – with Jenny Berg, Clare O’Brien and Sherry Holcomb of Impact 100

Catherine Hann of the Cincinnati Symphony, AFP President Lynn Smith, CSO President Robert McGrath, David Rosenberg, Dianne Rosenberg and AFP Executive Director Ken Coggeshall

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FEBRUARY 2026

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THE LAST WORD | Opinion by Polly Campbell

The bittersweet nature of aging I ’m writing this on my 70th birthday, sitting in the back room of my house listening to latecareer Nick Lowe on CD while it rains like crazy. The newly planted trees outside my window are getting plenty of water. I’d usually be doing something outside on my birthday. We had planned to go out to a friend’s farm and walk the woods to look for bittersweet, that vine with the bright orange and yellow berries that makes such pretty fall decoration. Apparently there’s a wicked invasive kind so it’s easy to find. But this is a true deluge, keeping me in this windowwalled room with a metal roof amplifying the rain. It’s a day for cups of tea and self-reflection.

Invasive bittersweet: I can’t help but think what an appropriate phrase that is for a 70th birthday.

This is a sweet time of life. You should be so lucky to be 70. I have

TJ ASKREN

WSET Level 2 Wine Certified WSET Level 1 Sake Certified Jungle Jim’s Eastgate

JUDY STRICKLER

Certified Specialist of Wine Jungle Jim’s Fairfield

all the great things: free time, financial security, a good family and the freedom to do whatever I want.

But it comes with the tinge of bitter. I am amazed at how much stuff I know, but I can’t always pull it up from the memory bank. I have the confidence for travel and adventure, but I have to do it with my knees hurting. I truly am wise from my years of living, but things are so different, I’m not sure how relevant my wisdom is. I am solidly sure of who I am and what I’m capable of, but it’s that long time of life when women seem to become invisible to other people.

I’m sure 70 sounds ancient; it did to me not that long ago. Turns out, it’s not. So I work pretty hard to make people communicate with the real me, not a preconception. I work overtime to make sure I earn and hold on to attention. It’s easier because I can take advantage of the

EDWARD HAAS

WSET Level 2 Wine Certified Jungle Jim’s Eastgate

MICHAEL BRAUNINGER

Certified Sommelier WSET Level 1 Sake Certified Jungle Jim’s Fairfield

Y OUR KEY IS HER E.

TA S T E T H E H I G H E ND W I NE S YOU ʼVE A LWAY S WA NT E D!

TAKE A TASTE - 1 oz.

HALF G LASS - 3 oz .

LO A D

PO U R

RE P E AT

FU LL G LASS - 6 oz .

P U RC H A S E Y O U R C A R D A T O U R T A S T I N G BA R !

I’m sure 70 sounds ancient; it did to me not that long ago.

Turns out, it’s not.

So I work pretty hard to make people communicate with the real me, not a preconception.

freedom that comes from having lost all my conversational filters.

Maybe I’m trying too hard. I could give up and let other people think I’m whatever they think old is. I have the choice of holding on to the habits and tastes of my youth, the ones I most truly care about. I could hang out with other baby boomers doing the same thing, and reminisce about the days rock concert tickets cost $5.

But I don’t want to be obviously out of touch, nor do I want to relive what I’ve already lived.

Or I could try to keep up, hang out with younger people, wear short wide-leg jeans full of holes, embrace AI. But I don’t want to look ridiculous.

Fortunately there is so much room at 70 in which to change, choose, reinvent, stay authentic to oneself, just a new version, a person who feels and acts one’s age without feeling old. I will always prefer flare-leg jeans, keeping a journal with a ballpoint pen, and will always put on Laura Nyro or Van Morrison when called for. I am probably never going to truly update my music preferences. I’m never going to use third-party delivery services.

But I am not going to refuse to understand the new feminism, or all the nuances of race politics, of gender switching or gentle parenting or working from home. And if I think new ways of living or understanding make me uncomfortable, it doesn’t matter, because new ideas and young people always

Polly Campbell

win. Soon enough it won’t be my world.

The spindly native trees I planted in our yard that I can see through the rain are for those next people. It is a literal and figurative obligation of all people later in their life to plant trees. I hope they are appreciated after we have to move somewhere else. It’s also a metaphorical obligation: Some of that time and liberty we have later in life should be dedicated to making the world healthy and safe for those people inheriting it.

This music I’m listening to is a good example of one way of aging.

Nick Lowe was a new-wave rocker.

Rock is a young person’s territory, and a lot of over-the-hill musicians try to continue in the same spirit, with sometimes cringey results.

But when Lowe was in his 50s he started putting out records that were full of songs that could only have been recorded by a person who’d lived awhile: They’re nostalgic, bitter, sad, regretful, though not always depressing. They are rich and adult and the definition of bittersweet.

That’s what I wish for all people my age, to draw on the richness of a life lived for decades, using the bitter and the sweet to be in the world in a way that is uniquely yours.  Polly Campbell covered restaurants and food for the Cincinnati Enquirer from 1996 until 2020.

She writes monthly on a variety of topics, and she welcomes your feedback and column suggestions at editor@moversmakers.org

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