March 2026

ARTS & CULTURE | COMMUNITY | PHILANTHROPY

March 2026

Future Thinking Cal Cullen, J.B. Kropp, Ryan Hays, Kirsten Moorefield & Ryan Rybolt

+

Ollie Kroner • Polly Campbell

The creative minds behind a King Records documentary

EVERY MONTH: ARTS EVENT LISTINGS, NONPROFIT SOCIAL DATEBOOK

11 YEARS IN A ROW—SETTING THE STANDARD

#1 in Cincinnati & Ohio #1 IN CINCINNATI 11 YEARS IN A ROW

SETTING A RECORD AS THE #1 AGENT FOR CINCINNATI RAGC®

#1 IN OHIO 9 YEARS IN A ROW SETTING A STATE RECORD FOR OHIO REALTORS®

JULIE K. BACK

Congratulations! – Pam & Rob Sibcy & Robin Sheakley

JULIE K. BACK 513-607-3850 jback@sibcycline.com sibcycline.com/jback

#1 AGENT in OHIO (9 YEARS IN A ROW) #1 AGENT at SIBCY CLINE (14 YEARS IN A ROW) SC UNITS LEADER 2022–5 #1 AGENT in CINCINNATI (11 YEARS IN A ROW)

11 YEARS CINCY’S #1 AGENT

14 YEARS

#1 SIBCY CLINE AGENT

MLS Greater Cincy compilation of broker members (01/01/15–12/31/25. RAGC ® Circle of Excellence 2015–25. Ohio Realtors® President’s Sales Club 2017–2025.

#1 SALES FOR OHIO 9 YEARS IN A ROW!

Informed. Inspired. Involved.

Movers&Makers March 2026

MoversMakers.org

Publisher’s Letter 4 Arts & Culture 5 Telling the King Records story | By David Lyman 5 Summermusik festival spotlights African roots 6 Opera’s Underscore series goes beyond the music 6 Art groups merge to expand youth photography 6 Cindependent takes charge of Mariemont Theatre 6 The A&C List 7

FOCUS ON the FUTURE 14 Panel explores future of Cincinnati | By John O. Faherty 14 Kroner leads city’s push for climate readiness | By Shauna Steigerwald 17

The Datebook 19 Social calendar shines a spotlight on the movers and makers behind Greater Cincinnati’s fundraisers, friend-raisers and community events.

Nonprofit News 21 Cincinnati Chamber buys ColdIron to expand services 21 Ronald McDonald Houses in Cincinnati, Dayton merge 21 Two Asian groups combine to expand programming 21 Names in the News 22

Gifts & Grants 24 Snapshots 25 SCPA showcases ‘Future of the Arts’ 25 Visit Cincy event opens new-look convention center 26 Moveable Feast illuminates CCM 27 Flywheel marks 10 years, new leadership 28 Freedom Center honors MLK Day with festivities 29 M&M readers Mix & Mingle in OTR 30 Stepping Stones opens hearts and tops record 31 Lindner Center scores ‘Touchdown’ for new institute 32 Caledonian Society hosts 198th ball 32 ArtsWave kicks off 2026 campaign 33 Outdoor fashions raise funds for Adventure Crew 33

tHE 32ND Annual glorifying the lions

Luncheon

JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE OUR

2026 LIONS HONOREES THANE MAYNARD DR. C. KEITH MELVIN JOHN C. MERCHANT, ESQ. SHEILA A. MIXON MARIBETH S. RAHE DEBORAH WHITE RICHARDSON CAROLYN WALLACE

MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2026

CINTAS CENTER 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM Visit ULGSO.ORG/LIONS for tickets and info.

The Last Word 34 Polly Campbell: A great city takes dreamers – and doers

Cover photo by Rhine Media: (Back) Cal Cullen, J.B. Kropp and Ryan Hays; (front) Kirsten Moorefield and Ryan Rybolt

Movers & Makers

MARCH 2026

3

R

eflecting on the turbulence of our lives these days, and knowing from decades of lived experience that things always ebb and flow, we thought it might be productive to take a longer view of things for a change. What might things look like 50 years from now, and are we in Cincinnati prepared to make sure we thrive in 2075?

With this in mind, we reached out to the future-centric folks at Cintrifuse to collaborate on a live event where we delved into what makes Cincinnati uniquely situated for future success and what we need to improve. The result was a panel discussion at Cintrifuse in Over-the-Rhine, moderated by John Faherty and composed of hand-picked futurists. See John’s analysis on Page 14.

The elephant in the room that day was climate change, but we purposely did not make that issue central to the panel as we had an ace in our pocket in the City of Cincinnati’s Oliver Kroner.

Shauna Steigerwald interviewed

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

4

MARCH 2026

Kroner, director of the Office of Environment & Sustainability, about his background and rise to leadership over regional climate initiatives. See Page 17.

One consistent theme from the panel is that fresh perspectives from people new to our area have helped reshape our appreciation for the strengths we possess locally. For example, it took two transplants to capture and frame our own story about King Records in a recent documentary, and to project that story out into the world, something we don’t do often enough. David Lyman interviewed filmmakers Yemi Oyediran and JP Leong about their friendship and their PBS-aired documentary, “King of Them All.” See Page 5.

And Polly Campbell weighs in by appreciating what the accumulation of individual efforts does to build our community – the combination of creativity and initiative.

See Page 34.

Our overall conclusion from these conversations is that

Movers & Makers

Issue Deadline Available APRIL FEB 27 MARCH 25 MAY MARCH 27 APRIL 22 JUNE APRIL 24 MAY 20 JULY MAY 29 JUNE 24 AUGUST JUNE 26 JULY 22 SEPTEMBER JULY 31 AUG 26 OCTOBER AUG. 28 SEPT 23 NOVEMBER OCT 2 OCT 28 DEC ’26 / JAN ’27 OCT 30 NOV 25 moversmakers.org/publishing-schedule © Copyright 2026 Movers & Makers Publishing We make every effort to verify information submitted for publication (print and online), but are not responsible for incorrect information or misidentified photos provided to us.

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.

Photo by Rhine Media

PUBLISHERS’ LETTER

The publishers at Cintrifuse for the panel discussion on Cincinnati’s future

Cincinnati has the tools and resources to thrive and lead, yet systems and attitudes can hold us back. We need to harness creativity through collaboration, embrace our strengths and remain willing to challenge norms to carve a better path forward, for us and future generations.

Please do your part in lifting Cincinnati up as one of the country’s shining lights.

For their work on this issue, our gratitude to:

• Casey Weldon, digital editor • Phil Fisher and Ray Cooklis, copy editors • Melanie Picazo, intern • All the nonprofits that contributed news and photos.

Support comes from:

Thom & Elizabeth Mariner, co-publishers

Join M&M for our monthly

Mix & Mingle Newport Car Barn 1102 Brighton Street, Newport Wednesday, March 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Join us for light bites & 2 free drinks.

RSVP required by March 6.

Scan to RSVP

Interested in sponsoring or hosting in 2026? tmariner@moversmakers.org

Arts & Culture Remembering a King It took a pair of outsiders to document Cincinnati’s legendary King Records

“E

verything starts and ends in Cincinnati,” said Yemi Oyediran. “But most people haven’t figured that out.” At the moment, he’s talking about “King of Them All: The Story of King Records,” the much-lauded film he co-produced with business partner and kindred spirit JP Leong. But his enthusiasm – and skepticism – for Cincinnati runs much deeper than that single project.

“Modern policing? Born in Cincinnati,” he said. “Medical innovations? Cincinnati has always been at the forefront. But as a community, we do a really poor job of not only telling our stories, but of even sharing them.”

This is classic Oyediran. Mention a subject that intrigues him – there are an abundance of them – and he’s almost certain to launch into a lengthy, impassioned riff. That’s not a negative thing. He’s as interesting as he is interested, as outgoing as he is outspoken.

Perhaps it’s that eagerness to champion Cincinnati that drew him to the story of King Records and its founder Syd Nathan, who launched the eclectic label in Cincinnati in 1943.

Long before “diversity” became a societal buzz word (and then a divisive one), King Records was known for the extraordinary breadth of its artist roster. “Hillbilly” music, R&B, doo-wop, bluegrass, funk and some of the earliest examples of rock ’n’ roll – they all found a home in the Evanston studios of King Records.

It wasn’t so much that Nathan was a dogooder, setting out to save the world one record at a time. He was a pragmatist. If there was

By David Lyman

Yemi Oyediran

money to be made with hillbilly music, he wanted to be the guy who made that money. The same with “race” music and the Black musicians who created it. Never mind that race-mixing in recording studios was unthinkable to most record labels. Nathan’s eyes, framed in his chunky, ultra-thick glasses, rarely strayed beyond the bottom line.

That bottom line enriched America’s musical landscape, as Nathan recorded music by a pantheon of game-changing artists, including James Brown, Hank Ballard, Joe Tex, Grandpa Jones, the Stanley Brothers, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Little Willie John, The Platters, Ferlin Husky, Wynonie Harris and many others. He even released a record of music by the

The filmmakers have been friends since they met as freshmen on the first day of classes at UC in 1999. This photo was taken on a visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland in the mid-2000s.

University of Cincinnati Bearcat Band.

“He took a chance on artists no one else would, and it paid off in a major way,” reads the plaque honoring him at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

Leong and Oyediran are not the first to

JP Leong

recognize the significance of the beloved label.

Over the past 25 years, there have been numerous efforts to boost the legacy of King Records.

There are a handful of small foundations devoted to it. There has been city money aimed at preserving the company’s Evanston headquarters. The Playhouse in the Park even commissioned a musical called “Cincinnati King.”

But why did it take a pair of outsiders, children of immigrants, guys not raised in Cincinnati, to put the history of King Records on a national stage?

They spent years wading through mammoth amounts of previously collected research and film footage. They scavenged material from every conceivable source, from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Dick Clark Productions to the Library of Congress and the National Archives.

WCET and a number of King aficionados pitched in, as well.

Finally, in what some might find a controversial move, the pair developed software to digitally restore and add color to the footage they had collected, “so that viewers today could experience King Records as vividly as possible,” explained Oyediran.

They were determined that “King of Them All” would be as entertaining as it was informative. They wanted this to be a documentary that would take the King Records story – and their reputations – far beyond local audiences.

The hour-long film was broadcast nationally on PBS last October, earning a generous handful of positive reviews and an NAACP Image Award nomination for Oyediran for Outstanding Directing in a Documentary. (The winners were to be announced Feb. 28, after this issue went to print.)

“King of Them All” has not yet been picked up by a major streaming service, but that may happen. In the meantime, if you become a PBS supporter, you can watch on the network’s website. Or you can wait for it to pop up in a film festival lineup, where the filmmakers screen their 70-minute director’s cut.

None of this was on their minds when Movers & Makers

MARCH 2026

5

ARTS & CULTURE they first crossed paths more than 25 years ago.

“We met during our freshman year in college,” Oyediran said. “It was Sept. 22, 1999.” And then, in a rare moment of self-questioning, he said, “Maybe it was the 23rd. It was the first day of classes at UC.” (He was right the first time, UC archives say.)

The one thing the two men agree on is that they were both entering the College of Engineering and that the class was Calculus 101.

“Yemi was good at math,” Leong recalled. “I basically bombed out of engineering. But we were weirdly drawn to each other. We instantly bonded. Maybe it’s that we were the two darkest people in the room.”

They were used to being regarded as outsiders. Though they were both born in the United States, they are the children of immigrants. Leong’s parents came from Malaysia, while Oyediran’s parents emigrated from Nigeria.

“Back in Toledo, I was one of two Asian students in my high school,” Leong said. “The other one was my brother.”

But their connection had broader roots. They were interested in the same kinds of music. They had similar senses of humor. And they both had lifelong involvements in the Assemblies of God church.

“I was the only one in class with a coat and tie,” Oyediran said, a holdover from his high school days at Western Reserve Academy, an exclusive boarding school 25 miles south of his home in Beachwood, Ohio. “I decided to start messing around, pretending I was the professor.”

Most of the other students didn’t know what to make of him.

“But JP, who is usually the quietest, biggest introvert you’ll ever meet in your life, starts talking s**t to me,” Oyediran said, laughing. “And for the rest of the day – the rest of the semester, really – we walked around slack-jawing each other.”

In time, they would form a small production company called Afrochine, paying homage to their ethnic backgrounds. (And yes, they are aware of the play on words, as the name is pronounced the same as the noted African American hair product, Afro Sheen.)

Fifteen years would pass before they began what would become their most widely seen work. And thanks to seed money from the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation and its People’s Liberty project, there was funding to move ahead.

“We worked on that film for nine years,” Oyediran said.

“It should have been a lot less,” he added, launching into a long and disheartening tale of the hesitance of many local funders to get involved.

But the friends were committed to telling this King story.

And, perhaps, a bit stubborn in their determination.

“It’s a yin-yang, push-pull kind of thing,” Leong said.

“Yemi is more driven. He’s the visionary. I’m more comfortable making sense of the terabytes of film footage and interviews. I don’t want the attention.”

But in King Records, they saw a story begging to be told.

“Yemi and I both like telling the stories of people who are working to create something that can benefit humanity,” Leong said. “Not just famous and powerful people – people who have something to say. And with Syd Nathan and King Records, we found that story.”  6

MARCH 2026

Movers & Makers

Summermusik festival spotlights African roots West African rhythms and African American musical traditions take center stage March 12-16 with Summermusik’s We Are One: Roots festival. Headlining the five-day series is Nigerian-American baritone Babatunde Akinboboye, known for his blending of opera with hip-hop.

The festival explores the musical connection between West African and African American traditions, with three public concerts as well as in-school workshops and community programs.

Akinboboye's work has helped popularize the "hip hopera" movement. MTV’s “Carmen: A Hip Hopera” and the Fugees’ “HipHopera” are among the best-known examples of the genre’s modern take on operatic style.

Summermusik launched its We Are One series in 2022.  summermusik.org

New series explores unexpected side of opera Cincinnati Opera has launched a new event series, Underscore, that aims to approach opera from unexpected angles.

Underscore will present experiences inspired by the performances in Cincinnati Opera’s 2026 Summer Festival, with theatrical investigations, topical discussions and character explorations.

The series opens March 3 in Music Hall’s Wilks Studio with “The Importance of Being Oscar,” billed as “a nearly-true story of Oscar Wilde’s first visit to Cincinnati.”

“Carmen’s Revenge – An Operatic Murder Mystery” takes place April 21 at Second Sight Spirits in Ludlow, Kentucky, exploring what might take place after the ending of Georges Bizet’s “Carmen.”

“The Afrofuturist Salon,” May 7 at Artsville in Madisonville, brings together collaborators on Cincinnati Opera’s new opera “Lalovavi” for a discussion on Black futurism, beauty and self-expression.  cincinnatiopera.org

Mariemont Theatre

Cindependent takes charge of Mariemont Theatre Cindependent, the Cincinnatibased nonprofit best known for the Cindependent Film Festival, has taken over stewardship of the historic Mariemont Theatre. The move expands the organization’s mission to support independent storytelling while protecting an important neighborhood institution.

Since its founding nearly a decade ago, Cindependent has grown from an annual festival into a year-round nonprofit offering film screenings, education initiatives and community-centered programs.

Located at 6906 Wooster Pike in the Village of Mariemont, the six-screen cinema will continue as a neighborhood theater, showing a mix of new releases, independent films, classics and family programming when Cindependent begins operating it this winter.  cindependentfilmfest.org

Art groups merge to expand youth photography offerings Two regional visual-arts nonprofits are merging, bringing a youth photography program into one of Cincinnati’s most established art institutions. Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center will absorb I.imagine’s programs, assets and teaching materials.

I.imagine, based in Union, Kentucky, has focused on photography education for teens for more than a decade. It has served more than 1,500 young people across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

Manifest, known for its gallery exhibitions and studio-intensive instruction, plans to incorporate I.imagine’s work into the Manifest Center for the Visual Arts on Central Parkway, currently under development.

Manifest has operated for more than 20 years. Its future campus will consolidate gallery, education and residency programs into a single site.  manifestgallery.org

The A/C List Also online at moversmakers.org

ARTS & CULTURE | The List

Cultural Exhibits/Events/Tours American Construction Toy Museum | Norwood. actmuseum.org Preservation and history of three-dimensional building toys in America 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.

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 Thru Aug. 9. “Treasures From the Attic: 250 Years of Fashion & Furniture” 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 | The Banks. cincyblackmusicwalkoffame.org Daily, 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Queen City contributions to Black music

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

513-281-4700. cincinnatizoo.org World-class fauna and flora Civic Garden Center | Avondale.

513-221-0981. civicgardencenter.org 1st Thursday, 11 a.m. Compost Tour 3rd Thursday, 10 a.m. Green Learning Station Tour 3rd Thursday, 11 a.m. Hauck Arboretum Tour

Media, artifacts, art and interactive exhibitions commemorating the Holocaust Imperial Theatre | Mohawk, Over-theRhine. imperialmohawk.org 2nd Saturday, 10 a.m. Tour of the Imperial Theatre Krohn Conservatory | Eden Park. 513421-4086. cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks Thru April 19. “Moonlight Menagerie” Lebanon Mason & Monroe Railroad | Downtown Lebanon. lebanonrr.com March 28-April 4. Easter Bunny Express 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 Thru June 21. “Jubilation! Ambassadors on a Sacred Journey” 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 Newport Aquarium | Newport on the Levee, Newport. newportaquarium.com Showcase of the world’s most exotic aquatic creatures Pyramid Hill | Hamilton.

513-868-1234.pyramidhill.org Sculpture park amid nature preserve Skirball Museum | Hebrew Union College, Clifton. csm.huc.edu Permanent exhibit: “An Eternal People: The Jewish Experience”

Friends of Music Hall | Music Hall, Over-the-Rhine. 513-621-2787. friendsofmusichall.org Indoor and outdoor tours of Queen City landmark Glendale Heritage Preservation | Glendale Square. 513-771-8722. glendaleheritage.org Permanent exhibit: Displays of Glendale’s history Greater Cincinnati Police Museum | Pendleton. 513-300-3664. police-museum.org Permanent collection: Historic artifacts and equipment

Cincinnati Fire Museum | Downtown.

513-621-5553. cincyfiremuseum.com Permanent collection: Historic artifacts and equipment

Harriet Beecher Stowe House | Walnut Hills. 513-751-0651. stowehousecincy.org Historic home of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” author and later a Green Book location

Cincinnati Food Tours | Over-the-Rhine. 513-602-5602. cincinnatifoodtours.com Exploring Queen City culinary culture

Heritage Village Museum | Sharonville. 513-563-9484. heritagevillagecincinnati.org Illustrates life in 19th-century Southwest Ohio

Cincinnati Museum Center | West End. 513-287-7000. cincymuseum.org Thru April 12. “Auschwitz. Not long ago.

Not far away”

Holocaust & Humanity Center | Cincinnati Museum Center, Queensgate.

513-487-3055. holocaustandhumanity.org Movers & Makers

MARCH 2026

7

ARTS & CULTURE | The List 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 exhibition: military and historic aviation Valley View Nature Preserve | Milford. valleyviewpreserve.org Preserved 190-acre farm and open land Vent Haven Museum | Fort 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 William Howard Taft National Historic Site | Mt. Auburn. nps.gov/wiho Historic home of U.S. president and Supreme Court justice

Civic Garden Center, GrowFest 2026 | Avondale. 513-221-0981. civicgardencenter.org March 14-31. Gardening workshops 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 Pyramid Hill | Hamilton. pyramidhill.org March 7-8. Founder’s Weekend

Film Adventure Crew | Esquire Theatre, Clifton. adventurecrew.org March 16, 6-9 p.m. No Man’s Land Film Festival

Cincinnati Arts Association | Procter & Gamble Hall, Aronoff Center, downtown.

513-621-2787. cincinnatiarts.org March 19, 7:30 p.m. Complexions Contemporary Ballet: “Star Dust”

Cincinnati Museum Center | Queensgate. 513-287-7000. cincymuseum.org/omnimax Now playing/OMNIMAX: “D-Day: Normandy 1944” • “Ohio: Wild at Heart” • “Wild Rescue” March 27, 6:30 p.m. OMNIMAX Dinner Dates: “Hubble”

College-Conservatory of Music | Corbett Theater, University of Cincinnati.

513-556-4183. ccm.uc.edu March 5-7. “Dance Works”

Cincinnati World Cinema | Garfield Theatre, downtown.

859-957-3456. cincyworldcinema.org Thru March 14. Oscar Shorts

Pones Inc. | Contemporary Arts Center, downtown. pones.org March 7-8. “Eunoia”

HorrorHound Weekend | Sharonville Convention Center. horrorhoundweekend.com March 20-22. Horror film convention

Dance

Fairs/Festivals/Markets Bockfest | Over-the-Rhine. bockfest.com March 5-7. Parade, 5K, tours and historical programming Bonded Spirit Bluegrass Festival | Covington. bondedspirit.com March 3-7. Pub crawl and concerts Cincinnati International Wine Festival | First Financial Center, downtown. winefestival.com March 5-7. Wine dinners, grand tastings, auction and more

8

MARCH 2026

Movers & Makers

Cincinnati illustrator and author Will Hillenbrand discusses “Light As A Feather” at the Mercantile Library, March 4.

Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights. nku.edu ◆ Albertine Cinémathèque Festival of French Films: (Otto M. Budig Theater, University Center) March 19, 6 p.m. “Holy Cow/Vingt Dieux” March 26, 6 p.m. “Dahomey” Woodward Theater | Over-the-Rhine.

513-345-7981. woodwardtheater.com March 16, 7:30 p.m. “That’s The Way God Planned It”

Literary/Lectures Barnes & Noble | 513-972-5146. barnesandnoble.com March 14, 6-8 p.m. Cincinnati author Mark E. Scott signs “King of Peru” (Kenwood Collection) March 31, 3 p.m. Author discussions (virtual): Tana French “The Keeper” Behringer-Crawford Museum | Virtual. 859-491-4003. bcmuseum.org Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. NKY History Hour Cincinnati Art Museum | Eden Park.

513-721-2787. cincinnatiartmuseum.org March 21-22. See the Story: Kiran Desai “The Inheritance of Loss” Cincinnati Zoo | Avondale.

513-281-4700. cincinnatizoo.org March 18, 7 p.m. Barrows Conservation Lecture: Julie Hanta Razafimanahaka Fitton Center | Hamilton. 513-863-8873. fittoncenter.org March 4, noon. Celebrating Self Speaker Series: MUSES: The Women of Music Hall Holocaust & Humanity Center | Cincinnati Museum Center, Union Terminal.

513-487-3055. holocaustandhumanity.org March 15, 2 p.m. “Saboteur, Survivor: Anna Heilman” Joseph-Beth Booksellers | Rookwood Commons. 513-396-8960. josephbeth.com March 7, 5 p.m. Discussion: Keith O’Brien “Heartland” March 9, 7 p.m. Discussion: Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney “Lake Effect” March 11, 7 p.m. Discussion: Jasmine Warga “The Unlikely Tale of Chase & Finnegan” Mercantile Library | Downtown.

513-621-0717. mercantilelibrary.com March 4, 6 p.m. Discussion: Will Hillenbrand “Light As A Feather”

Miami University Regionals | miamioh.edu/regionals March 2, noon. Conservatory Conversations: “Bringing People to Art in Nature: Exploring Pyramid Hill” (Hamilton Conservatory) March 6, noon. “A Sand County Almanac” book discussion Northern Kentucky University | inside.nku.edu/civicengagement.html March 4, 6 p.m. Six@Six Lecture Series: Valerie Hardcastle “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once: Health Care in Kentucky” (OneNKY Center, Covington) Poetry at Artifact | Urban Artifact, Northside. facebook.com/poetryatartifact 1st Tuesday, 7-8:30 p.m. Poetry Night Women Writing for (a) Change | Silverton. 513-272-1171. womenwriting.org 2nd Tuesday, 6 p.m. Open mic night March 13, 7 p.m. Reading and Q&A: Don Martin Word of Mouth Cincinnati | MOTR Pub, Over-the-Rhine. motrpub.com Final Sunday, 6 p.m. Open poetry mic

Music Bach Ensemble at St. Thomas | St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Terrace Park.

513-831-2052. bachensemble.org March 20, 7:30 p.m. “Glories of the Baroque: Music for Soprano and Harpsichord” March 22, 5 p.m. Bach Vespers Blue Ash/Montgomery Symphony Orchestra | St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Montgomery. 513-549-2197. bamso.org March 1, 7 p.m. Young Artists Concerto Soloists

ARTS & CULTURE | The List Bogart’s | Short Vine, Corryville. bogarts.com March 3, 6:30 p.m. The Record Company March 12, 7 p.m. Avery Anna March 13, 7 p.m. Pecos & The Rooftops March 17, 7 p.m. The Happy Fits March 21, 7 p.m. Our Lady Peace March 23, 6:30 p.m. Filter March 24, 5:30 p.m. Erra March 27, 7 p.m. Two Feet March 28, 7 p.m. Circle Jerks Brady Music Center | The Banks, downtown. bradymusiccenter.com March 7, 7 p.m. Sabaton March 8, 8 p.m. Mariah the Scientist March 30, 7 p.m. Boys Like Girls Butler Philharmonic | First Baptist Church, Hamilton. 513-844-5151. butlerphil.org March 7, 7:30 p.m. “Classical Heroes” Caffè Vivace | Walnut Hills.

513-601-9897. jazzvivace.org March 6, 7 & 9 p.m. Joel Ross March 12, 7 & 9 p.m. Seamus Blake Quartet March 13, 7 & 9 p.m. Immanuel Wilkins Quartet March 14, 7 & 9 p.m. Liz Callaway March 20-21, 7 & 9 p.m. Fred Hersch Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption | Covington. 859-431-2060. cathedralconcertseries.org March 15, 3 p.m. “A Musical Celebration of Johann Sebastian Bach’s 341st Birthday” Chamber Music Cincinnati | Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine. 513-342-6870. cincychamber.org March 24, 7:30 p.m. Israeli Chamber Project Christ Church Cathedral | Downtown.

513-621-1817. cincinnaticathedral.com March 7, 4 p.m. Concordia Choir March 29, 3 p.m. Pergolesi: “Stabat Mater” ◆ Music Live with Lunch: March 3, 12:10 p.m. James Loughery, jazz piano March 10, 12:10 p.m. Laney and the Tramps March 17, 12:10 p.m. Boutique March 24, 12:10 p.m. Heri et Hodie March 31, 12:10 p.m. Jimmy Leach Trio Christ Church Glendale | Glendale.

513-771-1544. christchurchglendale.org March 5, 12:05 p.m. Jason Gunnell, organ

Cincinnati Arts Association | 513-621-2787. cincinnatiarts.org March 7, 3 & 7:30 p.m. Motown Mania (Aronoff Center, Downtown) March 22, 3 p.m. WindFest 2026 (Music Hall, Over-the-Rhine) Cincinnati Community Orchestra | Church of the Savior United Methodist, Montgomery. 513-317-0300. cincinnaticommunityorchestra.org March 7, 7:30 p.m. Brahms: “German Requiem” with Young Professionals Choral Collective Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra | 513-280-8181. cincinnatijazz.org March 8, 2 p.m. Jazz@First: “Timeless Voices: Then and Now” (First Unitarian Church, Avondale) March 26, 7 p.m. Big Band Series: “Pulse and Power” (The Redmoor, Mt. Lookout Square) Cincinnati Guitar Festival | Sharonville Convention Center. cincyguitarshow.com March 15, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Cincinnati’s only guitar show

March 5, 7:30 p.m. Wind Ensemble: “Double Play” (Corbett Auditorium) March 7, 7 p.m. Jazz Orchestra: “Essentially Ellington Festival” Gala Concert (Corbett Auditorium) March 8, 3 p.m. Chorale: “Transmutation” (Cincinnati Public Radio, Evanston) March 8, 3 p.m. Trombone Choir (Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church) March 8, 4 p.m. Philharmonia: “Conducting Master Class” (Corbett Auditorium) March 10, 7:30 p.m. Composition: “Sonic Explorations” (Cohen Studio Theater) March 10, 7:30 p.m. UC Choruses: Tour Sneak Preview (Corbett Auditorium) March 11, 7:30 p.m. Concert Orchestra: “London in Light and Laughter” (Corbett Auditorium) March 13, 7:30 p.m. Wind Symphony: “Transformations” (Corbett Auditorium) March 30, 7:30 p.m. Musica Nova: “Supernova: View From The Edge” (Cohen Studio Theater)

March 20-21, 7:30 p.m. (CSO) “Beethoven, Mozart & Haydn” James Conlon, conductor; Renaud Capuçon, violin March 26, 8 p.m. (CSO) Proof Concert #2 Cincinnati Youth Choir | Corbett Auditorium, University of Cincinnati.

513-556-4183. cincinnatichoir.org March 15, 5 p.m. “Common Threads” Classical Revolution | The Loon, Northside. classicalrevolutioncincinnati.com March 8, 7:30 p.m. Chamber music in casual bar setting Clifton Cultural Arts Center | Clifton.

513-497-2860. cliftonculturalarts.org March 1, 4 p.m. OLEA Ensemble: “Sounds from Nature” College-Conservatory of Music | University of Cincinnati, Clifton.

513-556-4183. ccm.uc.edu March 1, 2 p.m. Christina Tan, piano (Werner Recital Hall) March 3, 7:30 p.m. Margaret Tung, horn (Werner Recital Hall) March 4, 7:30 p.m. Musica Nova: “Natural Chaos” (Cohen Studio Theater)

Ensemble Con Fuoco | ensembleconfuoco.com Feb. 28, 7 p.m. “Buxtehude & Shaw” (St. Mary Church, Hyde Park) March 1, 3 p.m. Encore (St. Catharine of Siena, Westwood)

Cincinnati Song Initiative | All Saints Episcopal Church, Pleasant Ridge. cincinnatisonginitiative.org March 17, 7 p.m. CSI Mobile: “Where We Abide”

CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL

Cincinnati Sound Chorus | Valley Temple | Wyoming. 513-554-2648. cincinnatisound.org March 9, 7:45 p.m. Friends & Family Concert

Sublime music in worship and concert

Cincinnati String Project | cincinnatistringproject.org March 21, 5 p.m. “Breaking New Ground” (All Saints Episcopal Church, Pleasant Ridge) March 22, 5 p.m. “Breaking New Ground” (Temple Sholom, Blue Ash) Cincinnati Symphony & Pops | Music Hall, Over-the-Rhine. 513-381-3300. cincinnatisymphony.org Feb. 28-March 1. (CSO) “Beethoven & Ravel” Samuel Lee, conductor; JeanEfflam Bavouzet, piano March 3, 7:30 p.m. (Winstead Chamber) “Quartets Through Time” March 6-7. (CSO) “Brahms & Schumann” Louis Langrée, conductor; Clayton Stephenson, piano March 13-15. (Pops) “American Mosaic” Martin Sheen, narrator

Sunday, March 1 | 5:00 pm Choral Evensong (Pre-Service Organ Recital 4:30 pm) Wednesday, March 4 | 7:00 pm The Concordia Choir Sunday, March 29 | 3:00 pm Stabat Mater (Pergolesi & Mealor)

Learn more: cincinnaticathedral.com/music

phone address email website

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

Movers & Makers

MARCH 2026

9

ARTS & CULTURE | The List Fitton Center | Hamilton. 513-863-8873. fittoncenter.org March 28, 7:30 p.m. CCJO Organ Ensemble Fluidity | Friendship UMC, Wyoming. fluiditycccc.org March 8, 3 p.m. “Bloom: Songs of Renewal and Belonging” Greater Cincinnati Guitar Society | Wyoming Fine Arts Center, Wyoming. cincinnatiguitarsociety.org March 29, 4 p.m. Nicholas Goluses celebrates Bach The Härth Room | Downtown. theharthroom.com/music Wednesday-Saturday evening. Live jazz Heritage Bank Center | Downtown. heritagebankcenter.com March 5, 7 p.m. Barry Manilow March 10, 7 p.m. Three Days Grace March 19, 7:30 p.m. Cardi B March 26, 8 p.m. New Edition, Boyz II Men and Toni Braxton Irish Heritage Center | Columbia Tusculum. 513-533-0100. cincyirish.org March 7, 7 p.m. Dervish Kentucky Symphony Orchestra | Greaves Concert Hall, Highland Heights.

859-431-6216. kyso.org March 21, 7:30 p.m. “Arts and Anxiety” Knox Church | Hyde Park.

513-321-2573. knox.org/music March 8, 3 p.m. Songs of Praise: The Te Deum Linton Chamber Music | 513-381-6868. lintonmusic.org March 15, 4 p.m. “Mendelssohn’s Elegy” (First Unitarian Church, Avondale) March 16, 7:30 p.m. Encore (Congregation Beth Adam, Loveland) Ludlow Garage | Clifton. ludlowgaragecincinnati.com March 4, 7:30 p.m. Screaming Orphans March 6, 7:30 p.m. Sons of Cream March 7, 8 p.m. The Ark Band Tribute to Bob Marley March 12, 7:30 p.m. Dar Williams March 13, 7:30 p.m. Pink Talking Fish March 14, 7:30 p.m. Adam Hawley & Julian Vaughn March 15, 7:30 p.m. The Phil Collins Experience March 20, 7:30 p.m. Jim Messina

10

MARCH 2026

Movers & Makers

March 21, 7:30 p.m. Moonchild March 22, 7:30 p.m. Rick Wakeman and Son March 25, 7:30 p.m. Albert Lee and His Electric Band March 26, 7:30 p.m. Morgan James March 27, 7:30 p.m. Summer Set March 28, 7:30 p.m. Sabbath Long Live Ozzy March 29, 7:30 p.m. Patterson Hood & John Moreland Madison Theater | Covington.

859-491-2444. madisontheater.com March 7, 7:30 p.m. Needle//Fear March 19, 8 p.m. Lucero • Burning Witches March 28, 7 p.m. Merkules Matinée Musicale | Memorial Hall | Over-the-Rhine. matineemusicalecincinnati.org March 8, 3 p.m. Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, piano March 29, 3 p.m. guitar duo Ziggy and Miles MegaCorp Pavilion at Ovation | Newport. promowestlive.com March 15, 6:30 p.m. Dark Star Orchestra March 20, 7 p.m. San Holo Memorial Hall | Over-the-Rhine.

513-977-8838. memorialhallotr.com March 1, 7 p.m. The Music of George Harrison March 2, 7 p.m. Batucada March 5, 7:30 p.m. Dancing with the Celts March 9, 7 p.m. Limehouse Ramblers “Way Down Yonder in New Orleans” March 13, 8 p.m. The Drowsy Lads March 15, 7 p.m. BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet March 16, 7 p.m. Phil DeGreg Trio “Bill Evans” March 22, 7 p.m. Ladysmith Black Mambazo March 23, 7 p.m. Ricky Nye March 30, 7 p.m. Carmon DeLeone “The Music of Leslie Bricusse” Miami University Regionals | miamioh.edu/regionals March 3, 7 p.m. Sassafras Grass (Downtown Hamilton) March 11, 7 p.m. SongFarmers (Downtown Hamilton) March 31, 7 p.m. The Appalachian Grass (Wilks Conference Center, Hamilton)

Matinée Musicale presents guitar duo Ziggy and Miles on March 29 at Memorial Hall in Over-the-Rhine.

New Downbeat | The Well, Walnut Hills. newdownbeat.com March 8, 3 p.m. International Women’s Day Concert Northern Kentucky University | Greaves Concert Hall, Highland Heights.

859-572-5464. music.nku.edu March 1, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Trombone Day feat. Chris van Hof and Austin Pancner March 2, 7 p.m. Spring Choral Concert March 3, 7 p.m. Jazz Combo (Southgate House Revival) March 5, 7 p.m. Wind Symphony March 30, 7 p.m. String Area Recital March 31, 7 p.m. Commercial Music Ensemble (Southgate House Revival) Queen City Balladeers | Leo Coffeehouse, Norwood. queencityballadeers.org March 1, 3 p.m. 1st Sunday Rise Up Singing March 1, 6:40 p.m. Jake Speed’s Woodyfest with Mike Oberst and Ed Cunningham March 8, 6:40 p.m. Buskin Blue, Chuck Keller, New Fogies March 15, 6 p.m. Open mic March 22, 6:40 p.m. Ma Crow, Back Porch Hounds, Tangled Roots

Seven Hills Symphony | Walnut Hills High School Auditorium, Evanston. 7hillssymphony.org March 15, 3 p.m. “Through Wandering Landscapes” Sorg Opera House | Middletown. sorgoperahouse.org March 13, 8 p.m. Nights Moves March 14, 8 p.m. Kashmir March 20, 8 p.m. Thunderbeard Southgate House Revival | Newport.

859-431-2201. southgatehouse.com Nightly live music Summermusik, “We Are One: Roots” | 513-723-1182. summermusik.org March 12, 7:30 p.m. “Owanbe” (Artsville, Madisonville) March 13, 7:30 p.m. An Evening with Tunde (House of Joy Christian, Clifton) March 15, 7 p.m. Roots with Babatunde Akinboboye (Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church, Lincoln Heights) Swell | Camp Washington. swellartcafe.com March 5, 8 p.m. Maria Chavez Symphony Hotel | Over-the-Rhine. symphonyhotel.com Thursday-Saturday evening. Live jazz

Queen City Freedom Band | Music Hall Ballroom, Over-the-Rhine. qcfb.org March 29, 5 p.m. Artist’s Rendering

Taft Theatre | Downtown. tafttheatre.org March 1, 7:30 p.m. The Wood Brothers

Radio Artifact | Urban Artifact, Northside. radioartifact.com Sundays, 5 p.m. Open jam Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. Flight 88 Classical Music Series Thursdays, 7 p.m. Open jazz

TempleLive at Riverfront Live | East End. riverfrontlivecincy.com March 7, 8 p.m. Crush: The Bon Jovi Experience March 13, 8 p.m. Keller Williams’s Grateful Grass

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church | Montgomery. st-barnabas.org March 8, 3 p.m. Jimmy Leach Jazztet

Trinity Episcopal Church | Covington.

859-431-1786. trinitycovington.org March 1, 5 p.m. Evensong Series: Choir of Trinity Church March 18, 12:15 p.m. Midday Musical Menu: Mattilda Middleton, organ

Schwartz’s Point | Five Points, Overthe-Rhine. thepointclub.weebly.com Thursday-Sunday. Live jazz

ARTS & CULTURE | The List Vocal Arts Ensemble | Music Hall Ballroom, Over-the-Rhine. 513-381-3300. vaecinci.com March 20, 8 p.m. “To the Hands: Cutting Edge Art” Warren County Historical Museum | Lebanon. wchsmuseum.org March 15, 4 p.m. Springboro Wind Symphony & Mason Symphony Orchestra Woodward Theater | Over-the-Rhine.

513-345-7981. woodwardtheater.com March 1, 7:30 p.m. Snooper March 6, 8 p.m. The Stolen Faces March 7, 8 p.m. Los Straitjackets March 11, 7:30 p.m. Mary Lattimore March 13, 8 p.m. The Small Things (Blink-182 Tribute) March 19, 7:30 p.m. Nashville Emerging Artist Night March 20, 8 p.m. Flicker//Fade March 21, 7 p.m. The Montvales March 31, 7 p.m. Mirah Xavier Music Series | 513-745-3161. xavier.edu/musicseries March 6, 8 p.m. Reed Tetzloff, piano (Gallagher Center Theater) March 14, 2 p.m. Bokyung Byun, guitar (Bellarmine Chapel) March 25, 8 p.m. Cécile McLorin Salvant with Sullivan Fortner (Gallagher Center Theater)

Broadway Across America | Aronoff Center, downtown. cincinnati.broadway.com March 3-15. “The Wiz” March 24-29. “Chicago” The Carnegie | Covington. thecarnegie.com Thru March 8. “Anything Goes,” co-production with CCM Musical Theatre The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati | thechildrenstheatre.com Thru March 8. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical” (Emery Theatre | Over-the-Rhine) Cincinnati Arts Association | Aronoff Center, downtown. cincinnatiarts.org March 6, 7:30 p.m. Salzburg Marionette Theatre: “The Sound of Music” (JarsonKaplan Theater) March 22, 7 p.m. Lucy Darling: “Simply Darling” (Procter & Gamble Hall) Cincinnati Landmark Productions | Covedale Center, West Price Hill. cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com March 12-April 5. “Legally Blonde, The Musical”

Cincinnati Music Theatre |Fifth Third Bank Theater, Aronoff Center, downtown. cincinnatimusictheatre.org March 20-28. “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative | Fifth Third Bank Theater, Aronoff Center, downtown. cincyplaywrights.org March 10, 7:30 p.m. “The Angels of Mercy” • “What Are The Odds” Cincinnati Shakespeare Company | Over-the-Rhine. cincyshakes.com March 6-29. “Othello” Clifton Cultural Arts Center | Clifton. cliftonculturalarts.org March 8, 2 p.m. Zak Moran March 14, 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. Madcap Puppets: “Fantastic Fairy Tales: Red, Green, and Gold!”

College-Conservatory of Music | University of Cincinnati. ccm.uc.edu March 9, 7 p.m. Acting Senior Showcase (Cohen Studio Theater) March 12, 6:30 p.m. “In The Spotlight” Theatre Showcase (CCM Village)

March 13-14, 7 p.m. Musical Theatre Senior Showcase (Corbett Theater) March 28, 2 & 7 p.m. Musical Theatre Freshman Showcase (Corbett Theater) Commonwealth Sanctuary | Dayton, Ky. commonwealthcomedyclub.com Weekly comedy shows Drama Workshop | Cheviot. thedramaworkshop.org Thru March 15. “Silent Sky” Ensemble Theatre | Over-the-Rhine. ensemblecincinnati.org March 21-April 12. “Fourteen Funerals” Falcon Theatre | Newport. falcontheater.net March 13-28. “Crocodile Fever” Fitton Center | Hamilton. fittoncenter.org March 20, 7:30 p.m. “The Wonders of Wiggly River” Funny Bone | Liberty Township. liberty. funnybone.com Weekly comedy shows

Young Professionals Choral Collective | 513-601-8699. ypccsing.org March 7, 7:30 p.m. Brahms: “Ein Deutsches Requiem,” with Cincinnati Community Orchestra (Church of the Saviour United Methodist, Montgomery) March 8, 3 p.m. Brahms: “Ein Deutsches Requiem,” two-piano version (First Lutheran Church, Over-the-Rhine) March 23, 7:30 p.m. Mozart: Requiem, with Xavier University Choirs and Seven Hills Symphony (Christ Church Cathedral, downtown)

Theater/Comedy LECTURE AND VISITING ARTIST SERIES

Bogart’s | Short Vine, Corryville. bogarts.com March 14, 7 p.m. Jordan Jensen, comedian

Matt Black

Brady Music Center | The Banks, downtown. bradymusiccenter.com March 27, 7 & 9:30 p.m. Matt Mathews, comedian March 28, 7 p.m. Hannah Berner, comedian

Thursday, March 26, 2026, 6:30pm Cincinnati Art Museum, Fath Auditorium Lecture Is Free and Open to the Public Register at FotoFocus.org

Movers & Makers

MARCH 2026

11

ARTS & CULTURE | The List The Ghostlight Stage Company | Carnegie Center at Columbia Tusculum. theghostlightstageco.com March 1. 72 Hour Arts Festival

Madison Theater | Covington. madisontheater.com March 27, 8 p.m. James Murray, comedian

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

Mariemont Players | Mariemont. mariemontplayers.com March 5-22. “Rabbit Hole”

Hard Rock Casino | Downtown. casino. hardrock.com/cincinnati March 6, 8 p.m. Chris Tucker, comedian

MegaCorp Pavilion at Ovation | Newport. promowestlive.com March 28, 7 p.m. “UpDating” comedy show

Improv Cincinnati | Clifton Performance Theatre, Clifton. improvcincinnati.com Thursday-Saturday evening. Comedy shows Inspiring Arts | Parrish Auditorium, Miami University, Hamilton. inspiringartsproductions.com March 26-29. “Seussical the Musical” Kincaid Regional Theatre | Falmouth. krtshows.com March 5-15. “Singin’ In The Rain Jr.” Know Theatre | Over-the-Rhine. knowtheatre.com March 9 & 23. “Serials!” Season 16 March 27-April 18. “The Ravenside Occurrence” Lebanon Theatre Company | Lebanon. ltcplays.com Thru March 8. “Love/Sick” Loveland Stage Company | Loveland. lovelandstagecompany.org March 13-29. “The Wizard of Oz” Lumos Players | Maineville. lumosplayers.com March 11, 7:30 p.m. Playwrights Script Reading Series: Two One-Act Plays: “The Pine Cone’s Chance” by Cam Eickmeyer • “So Help Me God” by Ron Rosenfeld March 13-21, 7:30 p.m. “Little Shop of Horrors”

Miami University | Center for Performing Arts, Oxford. miamioh.edu/theatre March 11-15. “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark” Miami University Regionals | Middletown. miamioh.edu/regionals March 20, 10 a.m. River City Puppets: “The Wonders of Wiggly River” (Finkelman Auditorium, Middletown) Mount St. Joseph University | Delhi. msj.edu March 19-28. “Little Women” Nrityarpana School of Performing Arts | Anderson Center Theater, Anderson Twp. nspacincy.org March 6-7. “Dance Like A Man” OTRImprov | Know Theatre, Over-the-Rhine. otrimprov.com Tuesdays, 7 p.m. Improv jams Playhouse in the Park | Mount Adams. cincyplay.com Thru March 8. “Mary’s Wedding” (Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre) Thru March 29. “Mrs. Christie” (Rouse Theatre) March 21-May 17. “Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical” (Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre)

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.

12

MARCH 2026

Movers & Makers

School for Creative & Performing Arts | Over-the-Rhine. scpa.cps-k12.org March 6-7. “Hamlet” Sunset Players | Arts Center at Dunham, Price Hill. sunsetplayers.org Thru March 7. “The Wild Women of Winedale” Taft Theatre | Downtown. tafttheatre.org March 7, 7 p.m. Sal Vulcano, comedian March 13, 7 p.m. Tig Notaro, comedian March 15, 7:30 p.m. Chelsea Handler, comedian March 21, 8 p.m. Gary Owen, comedian March 28, 7:30 p.m. Michelle Buteau, comedian Tri-County Players | Bell Tower Arts Pavilion, Evendale. tricountyplayers.org March 6-14. “Leading Ladies”

Visual Art 21c Museum Hotel | Downtown. 513-578-6600.

21cmuseumhotels.com/cincinnati Thru August. “Fragile Figures: Beings and Time” Angelico Project | St. Francis Xavier, downtown. angelicoproject.org Thru April 9. Annual Juried Art Exhibition The Annex Gallery | Pendleton. annexgallery.org Thru March 27. Ciro Quintana exhibition Art Academy of Cincinnati | Over-theRhine. 513-562-6262. artacademy.edu Thru March 6. AAC Faculty Exhibition 2026 March 23-May 1. Student Thesis Exhibitions Art on Vine | Rhinegeist Brewery, Over-the-Rhine. artonvinecincy.com March 15, noon-6 p.m. Local Madness ArtWorks | Walnut Hills. 513-333-0388. artworkscincinnati.org Thru March 11. Kenton Brett: “Cerebral Vortex” March 27-May 6. James Marshall aka Dalek: “Back to Basics” Reception: March 27, 5-7 p.m.

Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows | RSVP Event Center, Loveland. 440-2278794. avantgardeshows.com March 15, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Spring Show

Baker Hunt Art & Cultural Center | Covington. 859-431-0020. bakerhunt.org March 9-April 3. Ryan Kerr: “Here and There” March 25-Sept. 4. DBL Law Regional Art Show. Reception: March 25, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The Barn | Mariemont. 513-272-3700. thebarninmariemont.org Thru March 3. Pollinators Project: Bee Creative Exhibit March 6-31. Cincinnati Brush & Palette Painters: Fresh Paint 2026. Reception: March 8, noon-3 p.m.​ March 21-22. Mariemont & Terrace Park Garden Clubs: Art in Bloom BasketShop Gallery | Westwood. basketshopgallery.com March 7-April 4. Linling Liu. Reception: March 7, 6-9 p.m.

The Carnegie | Covington.

859-491-2030. thecarnegie.com Thru March 7. “All Four Seasons in Equal Measure” Cincinnati Art Club | Mount Adams.

513-241-4591. cincinnatiartclub.org March 13-15. Photo Exhibition. Reception: March 13, 6-8:30 p.m.

Cincinnati Art Galleries | Downtown. 513-381-2128. cincyart.com Thru April 3. “Fall in Love With Our Recent Acquisitions” Cincinnati Art Museum | Eden Park.

513-721-2787. cincinnatiartmuseum.org Thru April 5. Tamary Kudita: “African Victorian and Birds of Paradise” Thru June 7. “Longing: Painting from the Pahari Kingdoms of the Northwest Himalayas” March 27, 5-9 p.m. Art After Dark Clifton Cultural Arts Center | Clifton.

513-497-2860. cliftonculturalarts.org March 6-April 3. “New Woman” juried exhibition Contemporary Arts Center | Downtown. 513-345-8400. contemporaryartscenter.org Thru April 5. UC Art Collection Thru March 22. “FACES: Don’t Get It Twisted - Untangling a Textured Legacy”

ARTS & CULTURE | The List DAAP Galleries | University of Cincinnati.

513-556-2839. daap.uc.edu Thru March 29. “Nam June Paik in Cincinnati: A History” Reception: March 12, 5-7 p.m. (Reed Gallery) Thru April 5. “Domesticus Nature Morte” Reception: April 2, 5-7 p.m. (Meyers Gallery) Ethos Art Collective | Mt. Healthy. ethos-art.org Thru March 27. “Life in Black & White” community art show Fitton Center | Hamilton.

513-863-8873. fittoncenter.org Thru March 27. “Push & Pull” FotoFocus | Cincinnati Art Museum. fotofocus.org March 26, 6:30 p.m. Matt Black, lecture Glendale Heritage Preservation | Glendale. 513-771-8722. glendaleheritage.org Permanent exhibition: “Women of Glendale”

Middletown Arts Center | Middletown.

513-424-2417. middletownartscenter.com March 9-April 23. Artwork by John Sousa. Reception: March 9, 6-8 p.m.

March 13-April 24. “Textiles to Art: Contemporary Quilt and Fiber Artists” Reception: March 13, 6-8 p.m.

Queen City Clay | Norwood. queencityclay.com March 6-April 24. Lalana Fedorschak

Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights. 859-572-5148. nku.edu/gallery March 5-26. Juried Student Exhibition • Stitched Topography. Reception: March 5, 5-7 p.m.

Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery | Mount. St. Joseph University, Delhi. msj.edu Thru March 18. “Cultural Tradition & Artistic Voices” March 23-31. Art Guild Egg Auction Show

Pendleton Art Center | Pendleton.

513-421-4339. pendletonartcenter.com March 27, 5-9 p.m. Open studios

Taft Museum of Art | Lytle Park, downtown. 513-241-0343. taftmuseum.org Thru March 22. “Teatime: Chinese Enamels from the Taft Collection” Thru May 17. “Rembrandt: Masterpieces in Black and White”

Pendleton Art Center - Middletown | Middletown. 513-465-5038. pendletonartcenter.com March 6, 5-9 p.m. Open studios Pique | Covington.859-322-9553. piquewebsite.com Thru March 26. Jacob Grant: “25 Faces of Fairness”

Solway Gallery | West End. 513-621-0069. solwaygallery.com Thru March 31. “I-75 Corridor”

University of Cincinnati Clermont College | Batavia. 513-558-2787. ucclermont.edu Thru March 5. “Coming of Age: Hairitage”

Visionaries & Voices | Northside.

513-861-4333. visionariesandvoices.com Thru March 20. Don & Maggie Kelley: “A Legacy of Love” Warren County Historical Museum | Lebanon. wchsmuseum.org Thru March 7. “Early Artists of the Northwest Territories” March 27-May 16. Marcus Mote: “Quaker painter and 19th Century Folk Artist” Weston Art Gallery | Downtown. 513-977-4165. cincinnatiarts.org/weston-art-gallery Thru March 15. Beverly Fishman • John Brooks • Terence Hammonds March 28-April 12. Weston Works Art Challenge Xavier University Art Gallery | A. B. Cohen Center, Evanston. xavier.edu/art-department Thru March 13. Graphic design exhibitions March 20-April 3. Senior exhibitions 

Iris BookCafe and Gallery | Over-theRhine. 513-260-8434. irisbookcafeotr.com Thru March 16. “Nowhere But Here,” photos by Tim Stegmaier Kennedy Heights Arts Center | Kennedy Heights. 513-631-4278. kennedyarts.org Thru March 14. “Rooms of Grief,” co-curated by Ena Nearon and Mallory Feltz (Kennedy Gallery) Thru April 11. “We’re All Healing: Tending to the Wounds We Were Taught to Hide” (Lindner Gallery) Manifest Gallery | East Walnut Hills.

513-861-3638. manifestgallery.org March 6-April 3. “Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana” • “Totally Open” • Sean Caulfield • Anita Cooke. Reception: March 6, 6-9 p.m.

Miami University/Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum | Oxford. 513-5292232. miamioh.edu/cca/art-museum Thru June 13. From the Collections (Douglass Gallery) • “Culture Crops,” photos by Tina Gutierrez (Farmer Gallery) • Art & Architecture History Senior Capstone (McKie Gallery)

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

MARCH 2026

13

FOCUS ON the The PANEL John O. Faherty – moderator J.B. Kropp – CEO of Cintrifuse Cal Cullen – co-founder of Wave Pool and program manager for The Haile Foundation Ryan Hays – executive vice president and chief innovation and strategy officer, University of Cincinnati Kirsten Moorefield – co-founder and chief strategy officer, Cloverleaf Ryan Rybolt – CEO of Payload

Hosted by Cintrifuse and Movers & Makers

All photos by Rhine Media

The Queen City of 2075

Cincinnati has ingredients for a bright future: population, culture, durability – and courage

By John O. Faherty

A

venture capitalist, two entrepreneurs, an arts collaborator and an academic walked into a bar to talk about what Cincinnati is going to look like in 50 years. This isn’t a joke, and it wasn’t a bar, but the rest of the story is true.

In partnership with Cintrifuse, the nonprofit that supports the startup community in Cincinnati, Movers & Makers took an idea from late 2025 and gathered a group of thinkers and futurists to talk about what Cincinnati might look like in the year 2075.

The panel discussion took place in front of an audience at the Cintrifuse headquarters in Over-the-Rhine. It consisted of J.B. Kropp, CEO of Cintrifuse; Kirsten Moorefield, chief strategy officer at Cloverleaf; Ryan Rybolt, CEO of Payload, Ryan Hays, executive VP and chief innovation and strategy officer, University of Cincinnati; and Cal Cullen, the co-founder of Wave Pool and Swell Cafe, and program manager for Haile Foundation.

The discussion started with a metaphor about making dinner, and how well-positioned the Cincinnati region is for growth and development in the future.

“I think we are right in the middle. I think we are on a good trajectory,” said Moorefield, who co-founded Cloverleaf, a company J.B. Kropp that uses artificial intelligence to help businesses work smarter, more efficiently and more profitably. “We have so many good ingredients in Cincinnati, they are just not all mixed together yet. This is going to be a multi-course meal. We just need the 14

MARCH 2026

Movers & Makers

right ingredients to connect to each other.”

All five of the panelists believed strongly that this region is a good place to start a business.

Rybolt started thinking about how the region is going to look in 50 years, by looking back 50 years. He found consistencies from 1975 to 2025 that he suspects will stay with us until 2075.

Plus, he generously stayed with the cooking-dinner theme.

“So we have all the great ingredients. You know, we have that Midwest culture, we have great, durable jobs, durable communities,” Rybolt said. His company, Payload, automates inbound and outbound payments for Cal Cullen companies using a sophisticated platform. A native of the area, Rybolt believes Cincinnati is affordable enough to make it work, and that there is enough support for companies to make sure it does.

“I don’t think there’s a better community to start a business, especially if you’re willing to bootstrap it, right? It’s affordable. It’s a great place to raise a family.”

The character of the people of the region is what will help sustain success, according to the panel’s representative from academia, Ryan Hays. Thinking of the future is kind of what he does at UC. He wanted to make sure we appreciated the fact that people in Cincinnati would be talking about making a dinner. That, he said, is the Cincinnati way.

“So I think the thing that would matter to me is that we’re making a dinner and not buying it,

right? I think there’s a history of making, that’s the Midwest, but also Cincinnati,” Hays said.

“The real opportunity I see is sort of physical, right? Taking artificial intelligence systems and putting them into machines, right? People think about AI a lot. Imagining more as a brain as opposed to a body because we typically interact with it via a text box.

“But the real technological breakthrough I think is coming is physical assets. The Midwest is especially well-suited to really grab that moment because for 200 years, we’ve been making the things that matter to the rest of the nation, right? It’s been powering up and propelling the nation.”

The panelists agreed that population growth will be particularly important in the next half-century. This is no longer a choice of either working on attracting new people to move here or making sure we retain the people we have. It has to be both.

We are trending in the right direction. The Cincinnati Regional Chamber keeps very good data. The population of the Cincinnati region is 2.3 million people. This represents a growth of 172,664 people from 2010 to 2024. Growth accelerated in the more recent years.

Growth is good in obvious ways. More workers paying more taxes is always a good thing.

More people buying more groceries, eating at more restaurants, and building bigger houses is good for the economy. But the growth helps in more subtle ways as well. A good, simple indicator of how well a city is going is to count the cranes above the skyline. For the last decade, for example, Nashville’s skyline has been peppered with them.

ArtsWave 2026 Campaign ad Movers and Makers Vertical MARCH PRINT.pdf 1 2/6/2026 12:51:29 PM

FOCUS ON the FUTURE

all other local universities, don’t UC’s Hays is always looking up.

“I lived in Atlanta for a decade, leave our region, but they underand my family lives in Charleston, stand they can build here. I say, a South Carolina. In both of those lot, that we want to give all these locations, they benefit from a students a … bear hug, make sure steady flow of people moving to they don’t leave.” those cities. And what does that Kropp wants to keep them for mean? It makes capital more fluid,” today, of course, but he also has he said. “Folks in those cities are his eye much further down the more likely just to line. He knows the write a check based region needs to start on the speculation creating new wealth that it is going to now, so the men and continue to move women who are this and flow. generation’s entre“So, you know, it preneurs can become was actually hard to the next generation’s drive around Atlanta philanthropists. and not see cranes in “We think about the air. Charleston’s the next generation a little bit less, but in of the Farmer family, John O. Faherty terms of just the resthe Lindner family. taurant scene there, You know, UDF and and again, other types of ameniGraeter’s and so forth. That’s what ties, there are people investing in gets us excited and thinking about ways that we don’t see in cities that the future. We think a lot about don’t have that sort of population talent and how to keep talent here.” growth. So, I actually think it’s a Cullen was on the panel, at least structural challenge for us. Kudos in part, to remind us that growth to the Chamber. Brendon Cull is not all about jobs and taxes and (President & CEO) really, really cranes and growth. She joined the understands this on a deep level, Haile Foundation after nearly two and it has created a strategic plan decades in nonprofit work. for the chamber around growth.”

She knows that art matters, of This growth is important, but course, but so does compassion. the type of growth is also imIt makes sense for growth, and portant. To continue to grow, for our souls. She probably likes Cincinnati will need to grow and Kropp’s idea of a bear hug. She was retain highly skilled asked what issues workers. we had failed to talk Nobody thinks about much. this is more impor“I would say one tant than Kropp. of the big issues that He’s also managing has been left off is director of Cintrifuse isolation and lack Capital, leading the of connection, lack strategy and deployof empathy. And I ment of Fund III. He think a lot of those thinks 2025 is the issues, like housperfect time to think ing, food access, job Ryan Rybolt about 2075. training, they can “From my perbe solved, if we’re spective, we’re in the start of an empathetic to each other and we ecosystem,” Kropp said. He said give each other a leg up and we’re that when Cintrifuse supports a able to connect to each other,” company, all the founders want to Cullen said. “But isolation and lack do the same thing. “Companies get of connection are plaguing all of a check, they want to hire people. the United States. It’s an epidemic So we spend a lot of time thinkright now. So we need to solve that ing about talent development. We before we can have the future that spent a lot of time making sure that we want to have. Artists can do all these brilliant people from UC, that.”

the arts bring us together and make

CINCY

stand out. for nearly a century, support through

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

has kept them within reach

for everyone. today, gifts to artswave support 150+ projects, artists and organizations that make

our region

vibrant. the artswave campaign is underway,

GIVE TODAY.

artswave.org Movers & Makers

MARCH 2026

15

FOCUS ON the FUTURE Others in the room, including people in the audience, echoed those concerns.

YMCA of Greater Cincinnati President and CEO Jorge Perez, who was in the crowd, said Cincinnati’s future is promising – but uneven.

The region remains “a city of the haves and the have nots.” Bringing all children and families into that vision will take collective effort. Otherwise, like so many cities, “a huge hole will be in the middle” of our future.

Cullen said that’s where nonprofits step in, creating pathways to entrepreneurship, jobs and education. But opportunity alone isn’t enough. The community, she said, must also desegregate itself Ryan Hays and “build our collective empathy for one another” to better connect people to resources.

Rybolt thinks Cincinnati is certain to succeed because of the city’s hustle and heart. He believes there is opportunity here if you are willing to work hard. And no other cities have access like Cincinnati does.

“You’re certainly not going to be able to be two or three degrees separated from the leaders and the decision makers within our community.

Here you truly are. It’s a very welcoming and very supportive environment for startups.”

You can get, Rybolt said, “a face-to-face meeting with decision makers, who will be buyers of your product. And that’s really, as I talk to other colleagues and entrepreneurs across the United States, that is very unique for our community.”

Kropp said Cincinnati is going to thrive because it is willing to take big swings. This is particularly interesting because the city has a reputation for shying away from risk. In 2026,

16

MARCH 2026

Movers & Makers

individuals make that choice,” Moorefield you can point to things you could not point to said, adding that people may need to push 25 years ago. past their comfort zones. “I think one of our The remarkable success of FC Cincinnati, downfalls that we should just be sober about with its new stadium packed to the gills, is is that Cincinnati can be a place that is a little one example of risk-taking and success. It is conservative, right? Where we want to keep also important to note that 25 years ago, OTR what we have, we want to protect it. And, you was literally smoldering. Then know, there’s a place to be conservative, and the Cincinnati Center City then there’s also a place to be generative, right?

Development Corp. was formed.

We want to protect what we have, and instead “What 3CDC has done for the we should ask ourselves what are the ways we region, right? I would say that’s can be generative and generous?” a big swing,” Kropp said. “They There may need to be another shift as well. took this whole area, turned it People who live here may need to start recognizinto something. You know, when we started the Brandery a while ing what a terrific place this is to live and do ago, we were in Longworth Hall business. for the first year. Then we were Our humility, Cullen said, can hold us back. up on 14th and Vine and there “We’re always searching for, like, what’s the big was nothing down there. I mean, thing that we can bring here, that’s gonna make Senate was there, maybe another us a superstar city,” she said. “And it’s like, no, we restaurant. But over, I think, the last 10 years, have it, we can build our own thing. Like, we are what was done is amazing. I think that’s a big good enough, you know, and I don’t know why swing for the city. And so, I mean, we have this chip on our shoulders. what we’re seeing on UC’s camWe are like a powerhouse city in pus, and (Cincinnati Children’s) all the ways.”  is incredible, the growth that’s happening. And the innovation that’s happening. It’s just, you PUBLISHERS’ NOTE know, it’s sometimes hard for people to see, if you’re not in it Thanks to J.B Kropp, Kate every day, it’s just hard to see it Hursh-Wogenstahl and the folks sometimes.” at Cintrifuse for their significant This resonates with Cloverleaf’s role in bringing about this event, a Moorefield. A lifelong resident, first for M&M. Thank you as well Kirsten Moorefield she knows that sometimes people to all those who attended. We’ve in the region can hang on to the been encouraged to hold more past a little too long. She thinks the city is in a conversations and include broader segments of the terrific position for the future, but that it won’t community surrounding this topic. If you have just happen. ideas to share, please reach out to Thom Mariner, “I think we make that choice. I think tmariner@moversmakers.org.

FOCUS ON the FUTURE

Ollie Kroner is preparing Cincinnati for climate’s uncertain future

By Shauna Steigerwald

A

t age 18, Oliver (“Ollie”) Kroner wanted an adventure. Following the example of his Peace Corps parents, the newly minted Walnut Hills High School graduate joined Americorps and headed to New Mexico.

Unable to find an apartment he could afford, he invested his $3,000 life savings in a 1970s single-wide trailer and spent a year working on trails and fire management in a national forest.

He didn’t know he was also blazing a career path that would lead him right back to Cincinnati – and to his dream job as director of Cincinnati’s Office of Environment & Sustainability.

“It really reshaped me,” Kroner said of his time out west, when he spent much of his free time reading. Climate was a frequent topic of choice.

complex tangle of technology, policy and behavior change,” he said.

A sense of community

Kroner didn’t expect to return to Cincinnati.

But he found Boston’s high student population gave it a transient feel, and he missed the sense of community back home.

“When I graduated college, Cincinnati was hitting its stride,” he said. “It had a real momentum and a sense that you were invited to help shape it.”

So he moved back in 2006 and worked for a non-governmental organization focused on the science behind public health policy while earning his master’s in environmental sciences from Miami University. Meanwhile, he joined the Northside Community Council, became its president and, with some neighbors, founded a biodiesel co-op. The startup did well – “until it sort of became apparent that electric vehicles were the future,” he said.

When the job of sustainability coordinator in Cincinnati’s Office of Environment At a ceremonial first tree planting using biochar, a soil made from recycled wood & Sustainability waste: Sam Dunlap of Carbon Harvest; Jason Barron of Cincinnati Parks; Ollie Kroner; opened up in 2016, it Crystal Courtney, Jon Harmon and Garrett Dienno, all of Cincinnati Parks felt like a perfect fit: It combined the analyti“I came to realize that climate would be the cal policy work of the NGO, the coalition work biggest challenge of our lifetime, and it looked of the community council and the entrepreneurlike a space in need of innovation,” he said. “I ial aspects of the startup. was drawn to that.”

Since then, the office has grown from seven Before his year of public service, Kroner had to 20 employees, with Kroner rising to director, found himself drawn to Boston, where he’d visand it has increased the breadth and depth of its ited his uncle. “It really felt like the intellectual work. center of the universe,” he said.

His work focuses on implementing the Green Although he followed through with his plans Cincinnati Plan. His team studies how climate to attend Northeastern University (where he will impact the city’s operations, the economy played NCAA table tennis), he switched his ma- and residents’ quality of life – and what they’re jor from psychology to environmental studies. going to do about it. That vision is bigger than “I always liked problems and problem-solving his office, so the work involves partnering and puzzles. The climate crisis was sort of this with NGOs, businesses and other branches of

Ollie Kroner government.

“In all honesty, I have my dream job; this is exactly what I wanted to do,” he said. “I have nightmares that I somehow change jobs and I don’t get to do this anymore.”

Kroner sees cities as “the center of the equation” of the climate crisis: Their residents are experiencing climate impacts, they’re responsible for the majority of climate emissions, and they have an agility that states and countries lack,” he said.

“I think Cincinnati is respected and admired by other cities around the country for the climate work we’re doing here,” he said. “I think we have a lot of progress to show for a city of our size.”

Van Sullivan, interim executive director of Green Umbrella, agrees.

“We’re often talked about in the same breath as the Bostons, the Chicagos, the New Yorks, because of the creativity and the ability to swing big,” Sullivan said, adding that Kroner has been a big part of that. “His leadership, his big ideas, his ability to make connections both locally and nationally have really helped put Cincinnati on the map.”

Creating a lasting legacy “Ollie’s the kind of leader who elevates work simply by being in the room,” added Kylie Johnson, managing director of field advocacy at Ohio Environmental Council and OEC Action Fund. “His presence and depth of knowledge has created a lasting legacy for climate resilience and equitability in our city that can be directly attributed to his leadership.”

Among the city’s successes: It has reduced the city’s carbon emissions nearly 40% since 2006, and is making progress on issues such as green infrastructure, clean energy, public transportation, tree canopy and energy poverty, Kroner said.

One of the projects Kroner’s most excited about is the conversion of a dormant landfill in

Movers & Makers

MARCH 2026

17

FOCUS ON: Shaping the FUTURE Winton Hills into a 10-megawatt solar farm.

Construction on the $24 million, 64-acre project will begin this spring and should be completed in 2027. According to the city, the project will produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of approximately 1,200 homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 16,000 metric tons per year. That energy will power city facilities and save the city money, Kroner said.

Kroner and his team are also working to position Cincinnati for population growth from climate migration, which he believes is in the city’s future. Away from the sea level rise and hurricanes of the coasts, Cincinnati isn’t experiencing forest fires; the Ohio River provides plenty of fresh water with “world class water utilities;” and the tree canopy will help the city adapt to rising temperatures.

“We have a lot of really important ingredients in what makes an attractive city of the future,” he said.

For Cincinnati’s climate progress, Kroner believes, to quote a photo in his office, that “the next big thing will be a lot of small things.”

He sees Cincinnati’s neighborhoods, with their walkable business districts, as key.

“If we can continue to grow people-oriented neighborhoods, that is a climate solution; that is a quality of life solution that leans into the strengths we already had,” he said.

Walking the walk Kroner is also a big believer in individual climate action. “The choices we make in what we purchase, in the food we eat, how we get to work – they all add up pretty significantly,” he said. “And one thing I know about behavior is:

18

MARCH 2026

Movers & Makers

Ollie Kroner on a kayak trip with the Mill Creek Alliance to survey the Barrier Dam

It’s contagious.”

He lives on a mostly wooded acre in College Hill with his wife and their three children (ages 6 through 13), all of them contributing to the family’s “homesteading project.” That includes growing some of their own food, composting, removing invasive honeysuckle and recycling.

They have solar panels on the roof and get around via electric cars.

Kroner serves on the Mill Creek Alliance board and UC Center for Public Engagement With Science (PEWS) Advisory Board.

Nationally, he’s on the committee for the Urban Sustainability Directors Network catalytic fund.

He also has a whole list of hobbies befitting a self-described slow thinker with fast reflexes: Soccer, skiing, chess, reading, guitar and digital composing.

“Slow” is also an apt description for the pace

of government, and Kroner’s patience with and ability to find excitement in it make him wellsuited to his work. So does his ability to make connections.

“He is a systems thinker; he can look at a landscape of highly complex issues, which climate work is, and see connection – not only between issues but also between champions and other people passionate about this work,” Green Umbrella’s Sullivan said. “He is a true connector; he knows how to help people feel connected to the work and get plugged in in a way that is meaningful to them.”

Sullivan experienced that firsthand when they moved back to Cincinnati in 2017 after a decade on the East Coast. A cold call to Kroner and conversation about their similar backgrounds led Sullivan to a fellowship with the city. After working with him there and as a partner at Green Umbrella, they now consider him a friend.

“He is just a very thoughtful person, a deep thinker, and his systems-level perspective that he brings always strengthens his work and the people around him,” OEC’s Johnson said. “I’ve seen him stay calm, cool and collected in really challenging situations. … I aspire to be a leader like him.”

And, importantly, Kroner’s an optimist.

“It’s very easy to be pessimistic in a climate space, but I’m not,” he said. “I think we have forever changed the world, no doubt about it.

But I think we have a lot of working solutions that are impacting people’s lives today, and they’ll continue to grow.”

“I’m optimistic that we’re making real impact,” he added of his work with the city. “Every day we’re doing real-world climate action. I have hope.” 

The Datebook MARCH 5-7, THURSDAY-SATURDAY Cincinnati International Wine Festival | First Financial Center. Winery Dinner Series on Thursday. Grand tastings on Friday and Saturday. Charity auction and luncheon Saturday. Proceeds benefit a variety of nonprofits. ¼winefestival.com MARCH 5, THURSDAY Findlay Kitchen, Small Bites, Big Impact | 5:30-9 p.m. Rhinegeist Brewery, Over-the-Rhine. Small bites, full bar, program, paddle raise and raffles. Tickets: $95. ¼findlaykitchen.org MARCH 6, FRIDAY Make A Wish, Wish Gala | 6 p.m. Music Hall Ballroom. Cocktail hour, dinner, live auction, silent auction and raffles. Tickets: $300. ¼wish.org

19

DATEBOOK

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

CORA, Bike & Trail Expo | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. MadTree Brewing, Oakley. Family-friendly, trail-loving event with exhibitors. Free. 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 prizes. Tickets start at $79. ¼cincinnati.jl.org 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.

Tickets: $250. ¼ohiovalleyvoices.org/support

MARCH 9, MONDAY Pink Ribbon Good, Party With a Purpose | 6-9 p.m. Hoppin’ Vines, Madeira. Dinner, drinks, duckpin bowling and raffles. Tickets: $30. ¼pinkribbongood.org MARCH 10, TUESDAY Catholic Charities Diocese of Covington, Appreciation Dinner | 5:30 p.m. Receptions Event Center, Erlanger. Dinner and social. ¼covingtoncharities.org Easterseals Redwood, Booze Breakfast | 8 a.m. PeeWee’s Place, Crescent Springs. Donate spirits in exchange for $10 gift certificate for breakfast at PeeWee’s Place. ¼eastersealsredwood.org

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.

Recognizing 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 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 Pones, Eunoia | 7 p.m. March 7, 2 p.m. March 8. Contemporary Arts Center, downtown. Performance showcase, music, photo booth, auction and full bar. ¼eventbrite.com, Pyramid Hill, Founder’s Weekend | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Pyramid Hill, Hamilton.

Sculpture unveiling, exhibitions, tours and family-friendly activities. Free. ¼pyramidhill.org MARCH 7, SATURDAY The Bridge Adaptive Sports & Recreation, Paralympic Watch Party | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. MadTree Parks & Rec, Blue Ash. Live streaming sled hockey match USA vs. Italy, raffles, door prizes and split-the-pot. ¼thebridgeadaptive.org

Movers & Makers

MARCH 2026

19

DATEBOOK MARCH 12, THURSDAY

MARCH 13, FRIDAY

MARCH 27, FRIDAY

Allied Construction Industries, Annual Meeting & Dinner | 5:30-9:30 p.m. Northern Kentucky Convention Center. Networking, appetizers, drinks, dinner and after-party.

Tickets: $420 non-members; $240 members. ¼aci-web.com/events

Asianati, Golden Gala | 5-9 p.m.

Rhinegeist Clubhouse, Over-the-Rhine.

Cocktail hour, remarks and dinner. ¼asianati.com

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

Bethesda Lyceum | 6 p.m. Hard Rock Casino. Keynote: Sampson Davis.

Dinner, drinks and VIP experience.

Tickets: $300. ¼bethesdafoundation.com Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky, Homeless to Hopeful | 5:30-9:30 p.m. Receptions Event Center, Erlanger. Breakfast for dinner, bourbon, auction and program.

Tickets: $135. ¼emergencyshelternky.org HER Cincinnati, Her Unfiltered | 5:30-8 p.m. Memorial Hall, Over-theRhine. Performances, reception, women-owned shopping market, drinks and light bites. Tickets: $70. ¼hercincinnati.org

MARCH 14, SATURDAY 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: $50. ¼ccpf.org Rock Your Beauty, Fashion Show | 5:30-9 p.m. Memorial Hall, Over-theRhine. Emcee: Jessica Blackwell. Drinks, food, women‑centric vendors, fashion show and after-party. Tickets: $49-$114. ¼rockyourbeauty.org MARCH 15, SUNDAY American Heart Association, Cincinnati Heart Mini-Marathon | 7:30 a.m. Downtown, corner of 5th & Lawrence streets. 15K mini-marathon, half marathon, plus other walks to raise funds for heart research. ¼www2.heart.org MARCH 16, MONDAY

More Datebook at MoversMakers.org 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

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.

20

MARCH 2026

Movers & Makers

Adventure Crew, No Man’s Land Film Festival | 6-9 p.m. Esquire Theatre, Clifton. All-women and gendernonconforming film festival showcasing a range of outdoor sports and activities.

Social hour, cash bar and food. Tickets: $25 advance; $30 at door. ¼adventurecrew.org/events 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 MARCH 21, SATURDAY Mercy Neighborhood Ministries, Hoops & Hops | 6-10 p.m. Purcell Marian High School. Half-court shot contest. Cost: $1,000/team. 21+ event. ¼mercyneighborhoodministries.org

MARCH 29, SUNDAY Caracole, AIDS Walk + 5K/10K Run | 9-11 a.m. Spring Grove Cemetery.

“Get Your Wig On” theme 5K walk, 5K or 10K run and Lois Kay Kids Fun Run (ages 3-12). ¼caracole.org APRIL 8, WEDNESDAY University of Cincinnati Foundation, United For Justice | 6-10 p.m. Music Hall. Keynote: Tony Goldwyn. Cocktail reception, dinner and presentation.

Benefitting Ohio Innocence Project. ¼foundation.uc.edu APRIL 9, THURSDAY Reset Ministries, “More ...” | 6-9 p.m. Receptions Event Center, Erlanger. Tickets: $125. ¼resetministries.org APRIL 10, FRIDAY

Karen Wellington Foundation, Annual Karen’s Gift Gala | 7-11 p.m. Mercantile Immersive, downtown. General admission: $175. ¼karenwellingtonfoundation.org APRIL 16, THURSDAY Character Council, 2026 Heroes of Character | 5:30-8:30 p.m. Delta Marriott, Sharonville. Honoring heroes for making a difference in their community. Reception, dinner, awards program and silent auction. Tickets: $125. ¼charactercincinnati.org Junior Achievement of OKI Partners, Greater Butler & Warren Counties Business Hall of Fame | 6-9 p.m. The Oscar Center, Fairfield.

Hors d’oeuvres, wine tasting, open bar and raffle baskets. Tickets: $225. ¼japartners.org APRIL 18-19, SATURDAY-SUNDAY Cincinnati Animal CARE, Shelter Slumber Pawty | Cincinnati Animal CARE, Northside. 6 p.m.-10 a.m. Match donors to pledge $2,500-$5,000 for overnight fundraiser where volunteers and staff sleep in kennels alongside homeless dogs to reach $100,000 fundraising goal. ¼cincinnatianimalcare.org APRIL 18, SATURDAY

Adventure Crew, Derick Lugo: “The Unlikely Thru-Hiker” | 5:30-8:30 p.m. Mercantile Library, downtown. Author Derick Lugo discusses “A Fabulous Thru-Hike,” social hour, presentation and Q&A session.

Tickets: $20; $90 VIP. ¼adventurecrew.org/events

1N5, Spring4Life Gala for Mental Health | 6 p.m. Bacon Barn, Blue Ash. Cocktail reception, silent auction, live auction, dinner by-the-bite, music and program. Tickets: $150. ¼1n5.org

OneQuest Health, Annual Breakfast Fundraiser | 8-9:30 a.m. Drees Pavilion, Covington. Keynote: Michelle Keller, Kentucky Supreme Court justice. ¼onequesthealth.org

Cincinnati ToolBank, Building on our Community | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Camp Friedlander, Loveland. Volunteer to aid in projects aimed at improving grounds and facility. ¼cincinnatitoolbank.org

APRIL 11, SATURDAY Chatfield Edge, Celebrating Our Scholars Brunch | 9:30 a.m.-noon.

Ursuline Academy, Blue Ash. Brunch and program. Tickets: $100. ¼chatfieldedge.org COVERD, Diaper Wrap-Off | 5-9 p.m. Bracket-style competition to wrap the most diapers. Food, drinks, raffles, silent auctions and games. ¼coverdgc.org

Dragonfly Foundation, Grand Gala | 6-11 p.m. Music Hall Ballroom. Dinner, music, open bar, silent auction and grand raffle. Black tie optional. ¼cincinnati.dragonfly.org Hope’s Closet, Hope in Bloom | 5:30 p.m. Oscar Event Center, Fairfield.

Dinner, dancing and silent auction.

Tickets: $125. ¼hopesclosetohio.org/gala 

Nonprofit News YWCA celebrates 10 leaders as Career Women of Achievement

Urban League to honor seven Legendary Lions

Ten women from the Greater Cincinnati area are being honored for using their professional success to lift others.

YWCA Greater Cincinnati’s annual Career Women of Achievement program recognizes exceptional local leaders in healthcare, education, government, finance, law, construction, technology, philanthropy and the arts.

The honorees: Nabila Ahmad, IBM Americas sales leader; Dr. Evaline “Evie” Alessandrini, chief operating officer at Cincinnati Children’s; Debbie Brant, president and CEO of Cincinnati Ballet; Julie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of meetNKY; Sheryl Long, Cincinnati city manager; Michele O’Rourke, CEO of O’Rourke Wrecking Company; J. Phenise Poole, deputy general counsel and senior vice president, Fifth Third Bank; Cady Short-Thompson, president of Northern Kentucky University; Susan Street Whaley, chief legal officer and secretary at Procter & Gamble; and Kiana R. Trabue, president of the HealthPath Foundation of Ohio and the Public Health Fund of Ohio.

A celebration will be April 30 at Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati.  ywcacincinnati.org/careerwomen

The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio has named seven local leaders to the 32nd class of its Legendary Lions Society, recognizing individuals who demonstrate leadership, service and dedication to the community.

The 2026 honorees: Thane Maynard, executive chair of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden; Dr. C. Keith Melvin, internal medicine physician at Mercy Health; John C. Merchant, partner at Dinsmore & Shohl; Sheila Mixon, president and CEO of The SASH Effect; Maribeth S. Rahe, president and CEO of Fort Washington Investment Advisors; Deborah White Richardson, president of DWR & Associates; and Carolyn Wallace, owner of The Perfect Brew.

The Urban League will honor the group at its annual Glorifying the Lions luncheon, April 20 at Cintas Center.  ulgso.org/lions

Cincinnati Chamber buys ColdIron to expand festival, event services The Cincinnati Regional Chamber acquired ColdIron Events and Rentals, a local event production company, to strengthen major festivals and expand rental services.

Founded in 1983, ColdIron has supported events and produced festivals such as Bacon, Bourbon and Brew, Smoke on the River BBQ Fest and the Great Inland Seafood Festival. Its rental division launched in 2015.

The deal brings decades of production experience to the Chamber and adds a rental division that provides tents, tables, chairs, stages and other equipment. ColdIron will remain open to outside event producers, with future discounts for Chamber members. Chamber leaders said the acquisition is an effort to grow existing events, including Taste of Cincinnati, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, Asian Food Fest and BLINK. The Chamber will retain all full-time ColdIron staff. The combined organization expects to produce nearly 50 days of events each year and employ about 120 people during festival season.  cincinnatichamber.com

Ronald McDonald House groups in Cincinnati, Dayton merge Ronald McDonald House of Cincinnati and Ronald McDonald House of Dayton have merged to form Ronald McDonald House Southwest Ohio, creating one of the largest operations of its kind.

The merger expands services for families traveling to Southwest Ohio for pediatric medical care and strengthens regional partnerships. The organization will serve more families than any other Ronald McDonald House chapter in the United States and will rank among the top three worldwide.

Jennifer Loeb will serve as chief executive officer. Leaders said the merger grew out of discussions about increasing impact and better supporting families.  rmhcincinnati.org

TriHealth purchases Kenwood outpatient campus for $46M TriHealth purchased its Kenwood ambulatory building, an adjacent parking garage and surrounding land for about $46 million, securing long-term control of one of its busiest outpatient locations.

The acquisition includes the 114,000-squarefoot facility at 8245 Northcreek Drive, a two-level garage with more than 400 spaces and more than four acres for future development.

The site houses Group Health Kenwood, Northcreek Family Practice, Women’s Center Kenwood, the TriHealth Cancer and Blood Institute, Gastroenterology, the TriHealth Heart & Vascular Institute and other specialty practices. Services will continue without interruption.

TriHealth had leased the property since 2014 and opened the facility in 2015 under a 15-year lease with renewal options. The health system said ownership will allow it to expand services, accommodate more providers and generate more than $3.5 million in annual savings.  trihealth.com

Two cultural groups combine to expand AAPI programming A pair of local organizations have merged to expand programs and outreach for the region’s Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

Asianati and the Greater Cincinnati Chinese Cultural Exchange Association will operate under the Asianati name. Core initiatives, including the Asian Food Fest and the Moon Festival, will continue.

The merged organization also outlined a longterm goal of becoming a central hub for the region’s AAPI community by 2035, with plans for a permanent cultural center, expanded festivals, youth leadership programs, policy advocacy and a sustainable funding model. Asianati appointed Paraag Maddiwar as executive director.  asianati.com

Talbert House opens veterans residences Talbert House has opened the Klekamp Family Veteran Residences, a 49-unit permanent supportive housing development in Walnut Hills designed to serve veterans experiencing homelessness.

The 36,000-square-foot building at 2631 Gilbert Ave. includes one-bedroom apartments, onsite supportive services, a community room, laundry facilities and an outdoor courtyard. Its location next to Easterseals Redwood connects residents with services and job opportunities.

The Klekamp family provided a significant investment to launch the project. Additional partners include the Cincinnati Development Fund, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, City of Cincinnati, Fifth Third Bank, Model Group, Ohio Housing Finance Agency, OCCH, Strategies to End Homelessness and the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation.  talberthouse.org  Movers & Makers

MARCH 2026

21

NAMES in the NEWS

Maggie Brennan

Julie Kirkpatrick

Candace McGraw

Danielle Wilder

David Solomon

Melvin Grier

Jim Wellinghoff

Tina Ross

David Walter

Franki Meier

Dan Poston

Melisse May

Byron Stallworth

Ben Berling



Longtime community champion Maggie Brennan is the new vice president of social enterprise growth at Easterseals Redwood, where she’ll lead expansion of Building Value and the organization’s packaging and fulfillment operations. She worked as a consultant with SEI and held leadership roles at DonorDrive and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Brennan is board chair of the Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society.



Visit Cincy named an interim leadership team following the departure of its executive leader, Julie Calvert. Julie Kirkpatrick will serve as interim president and CEO, overseeing day-to-day operations while the organization conducts a nationwide search for Calvert’s successor; Kirkpatrick will continue as president and CEO of meetNKY. Visit Cincy also appointed Candace McGraw as an executive adviser.

McGraw, who recently retired as CEO of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, will assist with board governance, strategic guidance and leadership continuity during the search.



Danielle Wilder is the new executive director of Shelterhouse, succeeding Arlene Nolan. Wilder, who joined the organization in 2016 and most recently served as chief administrative officer, was chosen for her years overseeing operations, development, HR, IT and facilities.

Shelterhouse and its Barron Center for Men and Hatton Center for Women provide emergency shelter and support for people experiencing homelessness.



The Mayerson JCC selected David Solomon as its chief operating officer.

Solomon, a leader in Cincinnati’s Jewish nonprofit community, served as the JCC’s director of operations and most recently worked at the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, where he led initiatives to enhance organizational effectiveness.

22

MARCH 2026

Movers & Makers



Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society is honoring leaders Melvin Grier and Jim Wellinghoff as they transition from active board service to trustees emeritus, recognizing their contributions to the organization. Wellinghoff, a Vietnam War veteran and former CMHS treasurer, helped strengthen financial stewardship, guided long-term planning and advanced major preservation projects, including the Second Century Fund and the Longworth-Anderson Stage renovation. Grier, a U.S. Air Force vet and noted Cincinnati photojournalist, shaped CMHS’s programming and community connections, sustaining the jazz tradition within the LAS series.



Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati named Nadine Gibson as its first chief operations officer, expanding the former director of operations role to support the organization’s anticipated growth. Gibson has extensive experience in project management and real estate, including leadership roles at Procter & Gamble and Jones Lang LaSalle, where she managed complex initiatives such as a $500 million corporate relocation. She will help guide Habitat’s expansion of multi-home developments and new construction technologies.



Three new board members will help direct the future of Great Parks Forever, the philanthropic partner for the Great Parks system: Shawn Masterson, Tina Ross and David Walter. Masterson is Cincinnati commercial market president for First Financial Bank and a former trustee for the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio. Ross recently retired as executive director of the James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Foundation and serves on the board of The East End Adult Education Center.

Walter is VP of sales for Marathon Health and is on the board of the Dan Beard Council for Scouting America.

Nadine Gibson

Shawn Masterson

Jennifer Knight Zelkind Julie Daubenmire



Franki Meier has been promoted to executive director of the Central Ohio chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Meier will continue building relationships with families, volunteers and donors while strengthening community partnerships across Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Indiana.



Flywheel Accelerators has strengthened its leadership team for its mission to drive social innovation. Dan Poston steps in as board president, joined by Melisse May as vice president, Byron Stallworth as secretary and Ben Berling as treasurer. For the past decade, Flywheel’s programs have empowered 190 founders across 67 companies, providing nearly $300,000 in early-stage capital.



Jennifer Knight Zelkind is the new executive director of Women Writing for (a) Change, a nonprofit that offers writing programs and free community events, including an annual Author’s Series. Zelkind has experience in publishing and journalism, along with expertise in business development, philanthropy, fundraising and planning. She also has nonprofit board and volunteer experience, including with the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Ballet and the Contemporary Arts Center.



Cincinnati-based CancerFree KIDS selected Julie Daubenmire to serve as director of marketing and family engagement in its Columbus office. Daubenmire has more than 20 years of experience in public relations and marketing, with a focus on nonprofit and healthcare organizations. Her work has included brand development, communications strategy and community engagement. She also has a personal connection: In 2024, her daughter was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer, and is now in remission.

NAMES in the NEWS

Michael Hurst

Kevin Hackman

Van Sullivan

Sean Keating













Michael Hurst, an Art Academy of Cincinnati alum, is returning to his alma mater as director of exhibitions. An artist and museum professional with 20 years of experience, Hurst most recently directed the museum program at 21c Museum Hotel in Cincinnati, managing exhibitions, artist support and installations for 13 years. At AAC, he’ll oversee shows while supporting openings, public programs and community engagement initiatives.

Talbert House hired Kevin Hackman as its strategy development director, where he’ll lead initiatives to advance the organization’s mission to support children, adults and families. Hackman brings more than 20 years of experience in fundraising, donor engagement and nonprofit development, with leadership roles at Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency, Cancer Family Care, the American Diabetes Association and Camp Joy.

Green Umbrella is turning to a familiar leader as it seeks a successor to Executive Director Ryan Mooney‑Bullock. Van Sullivan, the nonprofit’s senior director of programs and climate strategy, has been named interim executive director. Since joining in 2020, she has shaped the organization’s climate policy and led community engagement efforts across the region.

Makers and Movers.pdf

1

2/10/26

Ashwani Dhar

Dave Jenike

Sean Keating, audit senior manager at Deloitte, has joined the board of OneSource Center for Nonprofit Excellence.

The Cincinnati-based organization provides services, products and connections to help nonprofits strengthen their impact. Former United Way of Greater Cincinnati CEO Rob Reifsnyder was named this year’s board chair, with Taft Law’s David Zimmerman as vice chair.

The VIA Institute on Character selected Ashwani (Ash) Dhar as its new chief executive officer. The Cincinnati-based nonprofit, which merged with Mayerson Academy in 2023, studies and applies character strengths in schools, workplaces and communities. Dhar served as CEO of performance marketing agency Adlucent, where he led the company through a decade of growth and multiple ownership transitions.

A leadership transition is underway at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden as Chief Operating Officer Dave Jenike steps into his new role as director and Mark Fisher replaces him as COO. The changes follow Thane Maynard, the longtime director and public face of the zoo, stepping down Jan. 1 to become executive chair of the zoo’s board. Jenike and Fisher have spent the past two decades with the zoo.

Mark Fisher

Karen Finan

Joanie Schultz



Karen Finan, president and CEO of OneNKY Alliance, received a Northern Kentucky Community Award from the NKY Chamber, which honors individuals, businesses and organizations making a positive impact in the region. A Northern Kentucky University alum, Finan leads OneNKY Alliance in advancing a vision for a unified community. Under her guidance, the organization opened the OneNKY Center and launched EducateNKY in 2023 to improve student outcomes.



Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s Joanie Schultz is the latest recipient of the SDCF Zelda Fichandler Award, recognizing regional theater artists for creativity, community engagement and lasting impact. The award, presented by the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation, includes an unrestricted $5,000 prize. Schultz is a director, teacher and arts leader whose work spans more than 30 theater and opera companies across the United States, including The Goodman Theatre, Victory Gardens Theater and Kansas City Repertory Theatre. She joined Cincinnati Playhouse in October 2021 as associate artistic director. 

11:54 AM

innovation.uc.edu Movers & Makers

MARCH 2026

23

Alpaughs giving $10M to Family Economics Center at UC Peter Alpaugh and his wife, Vicki Alpaugh, are continuing a family legacy with a $10 million estate gift to the Alpaugh Family Economics Center at the University of Cincinnati, supporting programs that teach financial literacy and economic skills to students and teachers.

The donation will provide flexible funding for program and staffing enhancements, technology upgrades and other center needs. The center reaches tens of thousands of Ohio students annually through financial literacy, investing and entrepreneurship programs. Its $martPath online curriculum is used in more than 50 states and 80 countries.

Walter “Pete” Alpaugh, Peter’s father, was one of the center’s founders in 1976. The center officially took the Alpaugh name in 2019.  economicscenter.org

GCF, Haile Foundation commit $1M to strengthen NKY initiatives Northern Kentucky will receive more than $1 million to expand affordable housing, boost early literacy and create new job opportunities.

The funding comes through a partnership between the Greater Cincinnati Foundation and the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation, supporting projects focused on economic stability and quality of life.

A five-year, $500,000 commitment to The Catalytic Fund will unlock $25 million in lending capital to create or rehab more than 1,000 affordable housing units. Another $100,000 will help cover renovation costs at SparkHaus, a new 50,000-square-foot Covington space for entrepreneurs.

GCF is also directing $475,000 to Northern Kentucky nonprofits that assist residents with education, job pathways, the arts and basic needs such as housing and transportation.

Recipients include the Northern Kentucky Area Development District, NKY Works, NKY Education Council, Educate NKY, The Carnegie, Pones Inc., the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky, the Ion Center for Violence Prevention and Samaritan Car Care Clinic.  hailefoundation.org

34 local nonprofits to share $1.5M in Better Together grants More than 30 nonprofits across Greater Cincinnati will share $1.5 million to strengthen operations, build partnerships and plan for longterm stability amid growing financial pressures.

The grants come through the Better Together 24

MARCH 2026

Movers & Makers

Photo by Joseph Fuqua II

GIFTS & GRANTS

Lisa Huffman, dean of the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services; and Sue Heilmayer, co-executive director of Alpaugh Family Economics Center; with Peter Alpaugh at Market Madness 2025

Fund, a collaboration by the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, bi3 Fund, BT RISE, Interact for Health and United Way of Greater Cincinnati.

The Better Together Fund offers capacitybuilding awards of up to $25,000, sharedservices grants up to $50,000, and grants of up to $100,000 to support formal collaborations or mergers. Participating organizations also receive consulting and technical assistance.

For this round, 34 organizations received awards, including Brighton Center, Camp BYOC, CASA for Clermont Kids to Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio and The Gaskins Foundation.  Full list: moversmakers.org  gcfdn.org/nonprofits

Community Matters receives $100K through Catalyst Ignite program Stand Together Foundation selected Community Matters as one of 15 nonprofits across the country to join its yearlong Catalyst Ignite leadership and organizational development program.

The foundation will provide Community Matters with up to $100,000 in matching funds to encourage local investment and support initiatives shaped by neighborhood priorities.

Founded in 2014, Community Matters strengthens Lower Price Hill by supporting family sustainability, adult education pathways, resident-led leadership and neighborhood development.  cmcincy.org

12 foundations contribute $613K to PWC for housing upgrades People Working Cooperatively will use $613,500 in grants awarded in the second half of 2025 to repair and modify homes for low- and fixed-income residents across Greater Cincinnati.

The funding from 12 foundations — including the Boone County Capital Projects Fund, the Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation and the P&G Fund — will support critical home repairs, weatherization, accessibility modifications and PWC’s volunteer program. Two anonymous

foundations contributed $100,000 for repairs in Northern Kentucky. Additional grants will fund operations and expand volunteer involvement.

These grants will enable the nonprofit’s 130 professional staff and volunteers to deliver roughly 7,000 home services annually and support long-term stability for families in need.  pwchomerepairs.org

Gilligan Give Back campaign grants $85K to Boys & Girls Clubs The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati received an $85,600 donation from The Gilligan Company through its annual Gilligan Give Back campaign, supporting programs that help youths reach their full potential.

The donation was raised through fundraising at the company’s local Dunkin’, Popeyes, goco/ Shell, and Subway locations. The funds will support BGCGC programs focused on academic success, leadership development and healthy lifestyles. The Gilligan Give Back campaign partners with a local nonprofit each year.  bgcgc.org

Winn Reading gets $25K grant for literacy mentoring in CPS Winn Reading received a $25,000 grant from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation to expand one-to-one literacy mentoring for elementary students in Cincinnati Public Schools.

The funding will cover mentor background checks, school clearance, volunteer training, classroom literacy mentor kits, and take-home decodable readers for students. The grant will help Winn Reading place more trained mentors in classrooms, the organization said.  winnreading.org

Butler Foundation challenges Urban Education Center with $50K grant The Notre Dame Urban Education Center received a challenge grant from the Butler Foundation to support educational opportunities for children and families in Covington and surrounding communities.

The grant will match every new or increased contribution up to $50,000 through June 30. The funding will help NDUEC strengthen existing programs, launch new initiatives and serve more students needing academic and mentoring support.

Founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame in 2009, NDUEC offers after-school academic support, pre-K and summer learning programs, and family engagement initiatives.  nduec.org 

Snapshots

SNAPSHOTS

SCPA showcases ‘Future of the Arts’ at gala Cincinnati’s School for Creative & Performing Arts hosted its Future of the Arts gala in Music Hall, providing 175 students with performance and mentoring opportunities. SCPA students performed with professionals from Cincinnati Ballet, May Festival, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati and The Children’s Theatre Cincinnati, presenting a showcase honoring Darrell M. Miller, honorary SCPA alumnus and renowned entertainment lawyer.

Kyle Inskeep of Local 12 served as emcee for the gala, which was supported by the SCPA Fund Board, Cincinnati arts organizations and sponsors.  scpa.cps-k12.org Palmer Goodman, Jack Louiso, Athena Updike and Rylie Dills

Deondra Means, Damon Ragusa, Linda Siekmann, Kenneth Gibson, Holly Brians Ragusa and Brad Gerard

Lily Schaffer, Jeana Berry, Tom Giglio and Terri Giglio

Photos by Mikki Schaffner

Rachel Harrison, Kate Dailey, Alana Pepper and Christy Lucas JR Foster, Ronda Foster, Ron Thomas, Andre Ward, Jaasiel Chapman, Kyle Inskeep, Kristy Davis-Mustain, Alton Fitzgerald White and Mamie Harris

Connor Boyle

Jane Katzman Simon and Alton Fitzgerald White Gala performance in the Music Hall Ballroom

Bruce Trapnell, Myron Fridman, Maggi Fridman and Joyce Monger

Movers & Makers

MARCH 2026

25

SNAPSHOTS

Visit Cincy shows off remade Convention Center Visit Cincy held its 2026 annual meeting at Cincinnati’s reimagined downtown convention center, bringing together more than 700 hospitality, business and civic leaders, including 60 meeting planners. The event was the largest gathering in the organization’s 80year history and served as the first major business meeting hosted in the renovated facility, which reopened in January after an 18-month, $264 million renovation project. The facility also has a new name: First Financial Center.

Visit Cincy – Greater Cincinnati’s tourism and convention bureau – presented its Spirit of Cincinnati Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the region’s hospitality industry and visitor economy. Honorees represented business, tourism, community and civic leadership, highlighting the partnerships that help drive visitation and economic impact.

The annual meeting shares progress and recognizes leaders. Visit Cincy’s mission is to drive economic impact and community vitality through destination marketing, sales and partnerships.  visitcincy.com

Julie Calvert, outgoing CEO and president of Visit Cincy, speaks during the organization’s annual meeting.

Julie Calvert presents a Wendell P. Dabney Award for Diversity to Crystal Kendrick. 

Hamilton County Commissioner Stephanie Summerow Dumas Julie Calvert with Special Recognition Award winner Alan Bernstein

Natasha Williams receives a Wendell P. Dabney Award for Diversity.

Julie Kowalewski and Jeff Sweet of Queen City Advocate Award winner Lytle Park Hotel

The Horace Sudduth Progressive Business Award winner Kelly Shaw of Findlay Kitchen

Julie Calvert with Lydia Jackman and Chef David Jackman of Queen City Advocate Award winner Wildweed Pinnacle Award winner Patrick McCoy

Julie Calvert, third from right, with Jean-Robert de Cavel Champion Award winners: Gian Andrea Rassati, University of Cincinnati; Susan Ayers and James Rea, Hamilton County Clerk of Courts office; Paula BrehmHeeger, Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library; and Wade Johnston and Rachel Culley, Tri-State Trails

26

MARCH 2026

Movers & Makers

SNAPSHOTS

468 CCM students perform at Moveable Feast event

CCMpower President Ken Kanter, Arlene Katz, Bill Katz and Toni Kanter

“Moveable Feast: Illuminate” lit up the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music on stage, behind the curtain and in the classroom. Hosted by CCMpower, the fundraising gala generated more than $140,000 for student scholarships.

The event featured 468 student participants in 23 performances and presentations that represented all eight academic divisions of the college: Composition, Musicology and Theory; Ensembles and Conducting; General Studies; Keyboard Studies; Media Production; Music Education; Performance Studies; and Theatre Arts, Production and Arts Administration.

The evening raised vital funds for student scholarships while honoring honorary chairs Patti Myers and Alan Flaherty, and alumni guest of honor Scott Coulter.  ccm.uc.edu

Alumni guest of honor Scott Coulter, Musical Theatre ’93 Stewart Goldman, Kristi Nelson, Kristin Jutras, Pete Jutras and Nancy Zimpher Cellist Amit Even-Tov performs in the Cohen Family Studio Theater with her colleagues in the Ariel Quartet, CCM’s string quartet in residence.

Moveable Feast honorees Alan Flaherty and Patti Myers with Bearcat

PREMIERES SUNDAY, MARCH 22, AT 9PM

Elaine Cox, CCM senior director of development; John Weidner, UC interim provost; Rich Bundy, UC Foundation president

CCM Philharmonia with conductor Mark Gibson

Watch it on

CETconnect.org

Movers & Makers

MARCH 2026

27

SNAPSHOTS

Flywheel celebrates 10 years, announces new leadership

Katie Nzekwu

Sandy Hughes

Flywheel Accelerators celebrated 10 years of advancing social innovation and supporting business founders by bringing together alumni founders, volunteer coaches, board members and community partners. Tony Bronsink of The Hive The evening, at First Financial Bank’s addresses the celebration.

Community Center, featured reflections from founders Tony Bronsink of The Hive, Katie Nzekwu of Found Village and longtime volunteer Sandy Hughes, architect of Flywheel’s coach training program.

Flywheel has supported 190 founders, 68% of them women and 51% founders of color, across 67 companies. These companies have generated $8.7 million in revenue, with 80% still active.

The celebration also honored retiring board leaders Susan Ingmire and Rebecca Riegelsberger, and welcomed new officers: Dan Poston, board president; Melisse May, vice president; Byron Stallworth, secretary; and Ben Berling, treasurer.

The organization plans to launch a Resource Hub, host a Social Impact Summit and welcome new Elevate Impact founders in the fall.  flywheelcincinnati.org (Back row) Milton Woody Jr. and Kémo A'akhutera; (middle row) Valda Freeman-Karmo, Dustin Shell, Susan Ingmire, Allyson West, David Gaines, Troy Bronsick, Chris LaRue and Dan Poston; (front row) D'Marco Kidd, Donna Zaring, Katie Nzekwu and Scott Jacobs; (kneeling) Josie Dalton and Brandon Reynolds

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

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 !

28

MARCH 2026

Movers & Makers

Art Academy leadership: Sarah Stolar, executive director of academic affairs and academic dean; Joe Girandola, president; and Katie Brenner Wolf, executive director of enrollment and student success

Art Academy showcases young talent Art Academy of Cincinnati transformed its campus into a celebration of bold ideas and rising voices during the opening reception of the 2026 Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

Students, educators, families and community members gathered to honor exceptional creative talent from grades 7-12 across Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana. More than 1,700 awards were presented in visual arts and writing.

Guests explored standout work in painting, photography, sculpture, film, design and mixed media. Creative writing awardees took the stage for open-mic readings. The night also featured a photo booth, a pop-up AAC Archives Exhibition and the 2026 AAC Faculty Exhibition, spotlighting emerging voices and the creative forces shaping the region’s future.  artacademy.edu

SNAPSHOTS

Freedom Center honors MLK Day The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center welcomed 3,500 visitors to celebrate the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Fifth Third Community Day event on MLK Day drew families, coworkers, sports teams, scout troops, living communities, church groups, friends and more. Community partners, volunteers, staff and supporters assisted guests, read to children, greeted visitors in the John Parker Library and contributed to Hoxworth’s 112 blood donations.

Representatives from The Kroger Co.,  freedomcenter.org presenting sponsor of the Freedom Center’s

Woodrow “Woody” Keown Jr., Freedom Center president & COO

Courtis Fuller was emcee for the 21st annual King Legacy Celebration.

2026 King Legacy Celebration

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval (back, center) and Kahlil Greene (front, center) with the Fisk Jubilee Singers and Marian Spencer Scholarship students from the University of Cincinnati

Kahlil Greene (center), Gen Z historian and Yale University’s first Black student body president, was keynote speaker.

Photos by Joseph Fuqua II

Volunteers from Phi Beta Sigma read books to some Freedom Center visitors.

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

The Freedom Center welcomed 3,500 visitors on MLK Day with free museum admission, thanks to the Fifth Third Foundation.

www.CETconnect.org

Emmy Award Winner Regional - Interview/Discussion Program

Movers & Makers

MARCH 2026

29

SNAPSHOTS

M&M monthly mixer draws crowd to Mellotone More than 80 friends and fans of Movers & Makers gathered on the third floor of Mellotone Beer Project in Over-the-Rhine in February to kick off the magazine’s fourth year of Mix & Mingle happy hours. Thanks to the Mellotone crew for their outstanding hospitality.

Our March location is set – Newport Car Barn, Wednesday, March 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m. – with free light bites and two free drink tickets courtesy of the venue. Come support M&M, make some new friends and experience this unique event space. RSVP using the QR code Leslie Touassi and on Page 4.

Bruce Kintner and Shari Caldarelli sample the light bites at Mellotone. Tyler Roe and Shea Haney

Mike Shaw, Gerald Randall, Jennifer Earley, Jeff Rosenzweig and Brent Tartar Helene Herbert, Natalie Koking and Kevin Tolan

Max Richardson

Thom Mariner, Janice Liebenberg, Tom Consolo and Phil Fisher Nick Rose-Stamey, Edy Dreith, Sally Grimes and Chez Chesak

30

MARCH 2026

Movers & Makers

Melissa Gray and Elizabeth Fung

SNAPSHOTS

Open Your Heart raises record amount for Stepping Stones Stepping Stones’ 18th annual Open Your Heart fundraiser generated more than $113,000 for year-round programming for children, teens and adults with disabilities. The total is the highest in the event’s history.

Guests gathered at Stone Creek Dining Company, enjoying raffles, a silent auction, artwork created by Stepping Stones participants and a program celebrating the agency’s work. Others joined remotely, sharing Stone Creek meals from home while supporting the cause.

Ashley Bieber and Jeff Bieber were event chairs. Presenting sponsor was Convalescent Hospital Fund for Children.

Valentine sponsors were Dawn Paxson and Allen Paxson, Saundra Seger and Mark Seger, and Amy Joseph and George Joseph.

Stepping Stones serves individuals with disabilities in day and overnight programs that increase independence and promote inclusion. Founded in 1963, the agency provides educational, recreational and social programs at locations in Batavia, Indian Hill, Norwood and Western Hills.  steppingstonesohio.org

Event chair Jeff Bieber leads a short program to kick off the night.

Artwork by Stepping Stones’ Adult Day Service participants

Ken Stone and Lynne Stone

Pandy Pridemore wins the jewelry raffle, sponsored

by Genesis Diamonds.

The Venosas shared their family’s experience with Stepping Stones as this year’s featured family.

$113,000+ Net Raised for Stepping Stones With heartfelt thanks to our sponsors Presenting Sponsor Convalescent Hospital Fund for Children Valentine Sponsors Amy & George Joseph Dawn & Allen Paxson Saundra & Mark Seger

Sweetheart Sponsors Nancy & Dr. David Aichholz Ashley & Jeff Bieber Benchmark Wealth Management Constellation Wealth Management CSJ Charitable Fund Forcht Bank Jones Lang LaSalle KPMG MegaCorp Logistics Anne Pierce Ryan Generational Capital Advisors of Janney Montgomery Scott Anne & Jim Shanahan SugarCreek/Julie & John Richardson Muddie & Robert Robinson Stepping Stones Executive Team Western & Southern Financial Group For A Complete List of Sponsors, Visit: CincyOpenYourHeart.org

Brian DeGroft, Gina Saelinger, Tom Saelinger, Rob Etherington, Sebastian Castillo, Traci Etherington, Emma Etherington, Kim Collins, Kristin DeGroft and Mike Collins

Movers & Makers

MARCH 2026

31

SNAPSHOTS Lauri Robertson, Carl Satterwhite and Dawn Satterwhite

Lindner Center party scores big for new Educational Institute Lindner Center of Hope welcomed more than 270 people to Great American Ball Park Champions Club for Touchdown for Hope, a Super Bowl watch party to benefit mental health education.

The event raised more than $167,000 before expenses in support of a new Educational Institute, an initiative to expand mental health outreach, education and understanding throughout the community.

Guests enjoyed wall-to-wall big-screen TVs, plush seating and a spirited tailgate atmosphere overlooking the baseball field. Attendees enjoyed Cincinnati favorites, including LaRosa’s Pizza, Skyline Chili, Montgomery Inn ribs, United Dairy Farmers ice cream and more.

Lindner Center of Hope in Mason is a comprehensive mental health center providing exceptional mental health services and improving the health of our community.  lindnercenterofhope.org Michael Groat, Lindner Center of Hope president and CEO, with Gigi Groat and Georgia Nagel

Dede Muñoz and Anthony Muñoz were honorary hosts for Touchdown for Hope.

Brian Kearns, Diana Nelson and Bella Nelson

Touchdown for Hope team captain Graham Mercurio (second from left) with family and friends

Lady Missy Gentry and past president Wally Gentry with their flag bearer

198th St. Andrew’s Day Ball celebrates Scottish heritage Cincinnati’s Scottish community gathered for the 198th St. Andrew’s Day Ball, held in the Pavilion Caprice Room at the Hilton Netherland Plaza.

More than 200 guests honored tradition, music and fellowship.

The OP Brass Ensemble from Clark Montessori and Walnut Hills high schools performed. Piper Chris McClennan ushered in the officers. The Cincinnati Highland Dancers delivered sword dances and jigs, and the Cincinnati Caledonian Pipes & Drums performed.

A beloved ritual of the evening – Robert Burns’ “Ode to a Haggis” – was brought to life by Dr. Daniel Bowen, who offered a spirited reading before the Scottish delicacy was served to adventurous attendees. The Royal Scottish Country Dancers guided guests through classic reels and the ever-popular Gay Gordons dances.

The Cincinnati Caledonian Society is the oldest Scottish society in continuous existence in the United States. It celebrates its bicentennial in 2027.  caledoniansociety.org 32

MARCH 2026

Movers & Makers

Caledonian President Jeff Craig, his wife Sarah and daughter Pippa Scholarship winner Will Reid with past president Louise Reid and daughter/dancer Cammie Reid as flag bearer

Scholarship chair Jamie Gordon with husband Scott Gordon

President Jeff Craig with the society’s piper, Chris McClennan

Johnny Hume and wife Rachael Hume were honored with induction into The Order of Caledonia.

SNAPSHOTS ArtsWave staff: Benjamin Johnson, Emma Biros, Erika Cordova, Richard Mead, Holly McGowan, Kate Kennedy, Allison Riddell, Jeni Barton, Zach Moning, Lisa Wolter, James Zimmerman, Mahmoud Said, Karen Ecker, Alecia Kintner, Rachael Parker, Holly Patel, Dan McClary and Ryan Strand

ArtsWave kicks off 2026 funding campaign ArtsWave kicked off its 2026 campaign – and its 99th year of existence – with a gathering of arts, business, civic and education leaders at Cincinnati Ballet’s Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance. The annual campaign supports more than 150 arts organizations, artists and projects across the Cincinnati region.

Campaign Chair James Zimmerman announced strong early momentum with continued growth in executive leader giving, thanks to a $99,000 matching gift from Western & Southern Financial Group. Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent Shauna Murphy highlighted the positive impact of ArtsWave’s More Arts, More Kids initiative, which provides arts field trips for nearly 20,000 students annually.

The kickoff underscored ArtsWave’s long-standing model of community investment and the role the arts play in strengthening the region. The campaign’s 2026 goal is to exceed last year’s $12.3 million fundraising effort.  artswave.org

James Zimmerman, ArtsWave 2026 Community Campaign chair and partner-in-charge, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Show displays outdoor fashions, raises funds for Adventure Crew Adventure Crew and longtime partner Roads Rivers and Trails hosted their annual Outdoor Fashion Show at The Barn in Mariemont. Highlights: a social hour; a runway show featuring sustainable outdoor clothing and gear from RRT, a Milford-based outdoor store; and a pop-up shop where attendees could purchase items from the show. The event raised more than $6,000 to support Adventure Crew’s programs, which connect city teens with nature and each other through engaging outdoor adventures.

Sustainergy also offered support.  adventurecrew.org, roadsriversandtrails.com

Shauna Murphy, superintendent of Cincinnati Public Schools

Emily White, co-owner of Roads Rivers and Trails, addresses the audience. Model Miranda Sharer

Miriam Wise, Adventure Crew’s director of support and engagement

Models Brandon Behymer, Dalton Spurlin, Laura Wolf, Aidan O’Dell and Ellen Littmann Models Chuck Pettigrew, Hannah Pruiett, Miranda Sharer and Emma Littmann

Movers & Makers

MARCH 2026

33

THE LAST WORD | Opinion by Polly Campbell

A great city takes dreamers – and doers I level, but when I think about what keeps Cincinnati a place where people still want to live, I think of what individuals and small groups have created. Sometimes they come from eccentric, super-personal visions that no one at a corporate or governmental level would ever think of. What they create gives the city texture, diversity, sparks of light.

They create soul.

My years covering restaurants for The Enquirer often introduced me to some of those people. Talk about committing yourself to a lot of work. I was touched over and over by the bravery of starting something as reliant on vision, hard work and luck as a restaurant. Now, writing these columns, I talk to people about their nonprofit organizations or causes they fight for, and I have the same feeling.

I’ve never built up anything from a big hole in the ground. All I can do is give a little attention and love to those who do. Here’s a small

’ve had a cartoon from The New Yorker pinned to my bulletin board for a long time. Two men, with hard hats and clipboards, are looking at a big hole in the ground with a skyscraper foundation. One is saying to the other, “I don’t know – seems like a lot of work.”

It makes me think about one of the most amazing things about human beings. They build the building anyway.

The theme of this Movers & Makers issue is the future city. I have a hard time imagining the future right now. But let’s say we correct income inequality, keep our ability to make decisions at the local level and are not blown away by extreme weather. Then, anything we build for the future will be the result of people saying, “That thing seems like a lot of work,” and then doing the thing anyway.

That impulse can work at a municipal, corporate or institutional

Hosted by NewPath's LEAD Board

2026 NewPath Topgolf Outing PUTT-ing Youth First

TOPGOLF OUTING

May 7, 2026 | 1:00-4:00 pm Topgolf-West Chester: 9568 Water Front Drive

Questions? Contact development@newpath.org

34

MARCH 2026

TICKETS & SPONSORSHIPS

newpath.org/topgolf

Movers & Makers

sample of those who contribute to Cincinnati’s soul and who have made this a place I like living in.

First, we have the people willing to keep a small publication going, one that celebrates “arts & culture community, philanthropy.” Much work was done to allow you to hold it in your hand right now.

My husband and I are falling in love with Caffè Vivace jazz club, small enough that the music doesn’t just surround you, it enters you, and the audience understands the spirit of really listening. To make it even better, MC Sly Little hypes the band and gets the crowd warmed up, and starts sets off with one of his jazzy, improvised spoken word pieces. I love it.

My daughter’s boyfriend is from Chicago, but he loves Cincinnati, maybe mostly on account of goetta, and at Thanksgiving, we did a deep dive. We visited butchers like Wasslers and Humbert’s, where the guys behind the counter knew everyone’s names and had a patter going and just made standing in line to buy meat an experience that felt like community.

When I think about what openminded, socially aware and competent women my daughters are, I appreciate the work by the teachers at North Avondale Montessori and Walnut Hills High School. And at Kennedy Heights Montessori preschool, founded by families in the ’60s who wanted to make sure their neighborhood stayed strong and multiracial as others emptied out from white flight.

The activist farmers I met doing a story about Black urban farmers: people who had an idea that neighborhoods could call on the skill of their residents and the energy of young people to grow food that people needed. I could cry – it’s so much work and so important and beautiful.

I appreciate the people who run for the local city council even though the odds are against them.

It’s hard to knock on doors, but I appreciate the ones who did, to tell me about their plans for a future

Polly Campbell Cincinnati.

You can’t have a great city without bookstores! I thought we’d lost them, but they’re coming back. I’m so glad people have faith that they can work by opening Downbound and Roebling and The Village Bookworm and the Bookshelf.

Record stores too, including the beguiling and eccentric Hail Records and Oddities in Covington.

I’d eat at Just Q’in even if they didn’t have good brisket and pulled pork. It’s a restaurant, but also a reentry program for people who need help getting their life together and finding employment.

Every time I pass the corner of 13th and Clay, dominated by the steeple of the old St. Mary’s Church since 1842, I can either stop for one of Brown Bear Bakery’s layered pastry versions of love and perfection on one corner, or stop in at Longfellow’s, the embodiment of what a good neighborhood bar should be.

We have kept places like Arnold’s, The Mercantile Library, Oktoberfest, The Cincinnati Music Festival, The Flying Pig, The FreeStore, Avril’s Meats, WAIF Radio, the Harvest Home parade, Black Family reunion going for 20, 40, 100 years. It doesn’t just take work to get them started, it’s also required to keep them going.

Make your own list of the things that bring you pleasure and root you to your city. Participate. Go to board meetings, volunteer, become regulars and spend money. Nothing builds itself.  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

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.