As we embark on the final quarter of 2024, I want to take a moment to reflect on our shared mission and the profound impact we ’ re making in our community. At RISE Together, our commitment to innovation goes hand-in-hand with addressing some of the most pressing issues facing Franklin County, including poverty and systemic racism
In June, we hosted our 3rd Annual Poverty Innovation Summit, with over 220 attendees It was the perfect gathering to announce our new partnership between the RISE Together Innovation Institute and the Kirwan Institute at The Ohio State University The Kirwan Institute played a key role in the initial work to create the Franklin County Blueprint for Reducing Poverty, which ultimately led to the creation of RISE Together Now, they’ve signed on as our research partner, supporting our efforts in the community to identify and implement innovative solutions to address poverty and systemic racism in our community
Also, over the summer, we welcomed four new members to our Board of Trustees, each bringing fresh perspectives and expertise to help guide our mission forward. Furthermore, we had the privilege of providing public testimony at the City Council Health and Human Service hearing, where we highlighted the importance of collaborative solutions to address systemic inequities
Your continued dedication and innovative spirit are vital as we strive to make a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most Together, we are not only advancing innovative solutions but also championing social justice and equality
Thank you for your unwavering commitment and for being a part of this essential journey Let’s move forward with renewed energy and purpose, united in our vision for a more inclusive and thriving community
With gratitude,
R I S E T o g e t h e r W e l c o m e s N e w T r u s t e e s t o t h e B o a r d
Effective July 2024, RISE welcomed to the board Columbus City Schools Superintendent Dr. Angela Chapman, Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority President and new Trustees to the Board, CEO Charles Hillman, Aspyr Chief Programs and Initiatives Officer Lauren Rummel, and Central Ohio Transit Authority CEO Monica Tellez-Fowler.
“I am excited to be welcoming these highly committed leaders and community partners to our board Our mission at RISE Together is to harness the collective power of people and systems to reduce poverty in our community With these additions, we are adding some of the leaders of the largest systems to our board,” says Danielle Sydnor, RISE Together CEO.
In addition to the new appointments, the board also voted on some changes to its Executive Committee With Trudy Bartley’s term as board chair concluding, PrimaryOne Health CEO Charleta B Tavares was elected Chair of the RISE Together Board
“I look forward to building on the work of our first and immediate past chair of the RISE Together Innovation Institute Board, Trudy Bartley. We have worked over the last two years to establish the organization, develop our strategic direction to address the Poverty Blueprint, and are operating in partnership with Franklin County on leading-edge solutions in meeting the needs of our residents ” said Tavares
The RISE Together Innovation Institute Board Executive Committee is as follows:
Board Chair Charleta B Tavares, CEO of PrimaryOne Health
Vice Chair Guadalupe Velasquez, Managing Director of Welcoming City
Treasurer Matt Habash, President & CEO of the Mid-Ohio Food Collective
Secretary Trudy Bartley, Associate VP of Local Government and Community Relations at The Ohio State University
Congratulations to Central Ohio’s Most Influential Women of Color Class of 2024!
RISE Together CEO Danielle L. Sydnor was honored by Mahogany Columbus as a part of their 2024 Class of Central Ohio’s Most Influential Women of Color. The ceremony was held on April 23rd at the historical Bricker Graydon Law firm
Recognized for her work in the social justice and economic space, Danielle has dedicated her career to fighting for equality and opportunity for every human being. “Her leadership and advocacy have made a tangible impact in the lives of countless individuals in the community,” according to the Mahogany Media Group.
As CEO of the RISE Together Innovation Institute, Danielle continues to be a fighter for the people who are overlooked and left without a voice. Poverty is not just a problem that “those” people face but a systemic issue that affects us all. Congratulations Danielle on this well-deserved honor.
Annual Poverty Innovation Summit Sparks Collaboration and Innovation
By Rohnesha M Horne
On Thursday, June 20th, the RISE Together Innovation Institute proudly hosted its 3rd Annual Poverty Innovation Summit in downtown Columbus This year ’ s event brought together approximately 220 thought leaders, community members, and innovators from across Franklin County to tackle pressing issues related to poverty and economic inequity
The summit kicked off with a warm welcome from Franklin County Commissioner Kevin Boyce Danielle Sydnor, CEO of RISE Together, followed with opening remarks, outlining the importance of collaboration and innovative thinking in addressing poverty. Our opening session was led by Dr. Ange-Marie Hancock of the Kirwan Institute featuring our Board Chair Trudy Bartley, Associate VP of Local Government and Community Relations at The Ohio State University They announced a historic three-year partnership of the Kirwan Institute and RISE Together, bringing a nationally renowned research team to assist in RISE Together’s ground-breaking work in our community
In an effort to get attendees to think about how we can scale innovative ideas, “Innovation is All Around Us” was the theme of the luncheon main stage panel, featuring big thinkers such as Stephanie Hightower, Telley Madina, and Ed Mitzen, with Julie Granillo moderating The keynote was a thought-provoking Fireside Chat featuring Sevetri Wilson moderated by Danielle Sydnor Sevetri shared the importance of individuals having the space and resources to have dreams and then overcoming obstacles to achieve them
A Day of Breakouts, Solution Circles, and Radical Imagination
During the morning, attendees participated in four focused Breakout Sessions, each tackling different aspects of poverty, fostering deep discussions and idea-sharing
In the afternoon, participants engaged in three Solution Circles, led by experts from various sectors. The day’s programming concluded with "Radical Imagination," a session led by the ThirdSpace Action Lab, which challenged attendees to think boldly about the future of community and social change
Building a Stronger Network for Franklin County
The Poverty Innovation Summit achieved its goal of convening individuals and organizations from different sectors, demographics, and age groups By fostering stronger connections, the event aims to build lasting relationships and extend the impact of RISE Together’s mission to reduce poverty and create systemic change.
Stay tuned for more updates from RISE Together as we continue to champion innovative solutions and strengthen our community!
2024 Poverty Innovation Summit: Solution Circles
By Will Petrik
During our time together for RISE Together's 3rd Annual Poverty Innovation Summit, we hosted Solution Circles to develop specific strategies to reduce poverty and disrupt structural racism in Franklin County. As we said at the Summit, learning and discussion are important, but we must also take action!
With that spirit in mind, we developed three practical guides with input gathered at our Summit’s three Solution Circles Click on the links below to help take action on developing innovative solutions here in Franklin County
Let's Boost the Economic Security of Families: Guaranteed Income
Create a Compelling Narrative to Advance Systems Change
Focus on People's Actual Lived Experience in Developing Solutions
“Narratives shape public perceptions of problems and solutions. Dominant narratives play a significant role in shaping policies and resource allocation in our communities.”-
Smart Columbus Hosts Community Information Exchange Partner Reception
By Rohnesha M Horne
For over a year, RISE Together has been working alongside individuals and organizations across Franklin County on the Community Information Exchange initiative The goal of this technology infrastructure project is to improve the coordination and delivery of human services, all with the goal of helping residents achieve economic stability While significant progress has been made, we had not yet gathered everyone involved in person to celebrate and share information about our efforts until the recent Community Information Exchange (CIE) Partner Reception.
Hosted by Smart Columbus on Tuesday, July 31st at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the event served as an opportunity to unveil the CIE project and demonstrate how human-centered technology is being developed to better serve Franklin County residents. The reception brought together key community stakeholders, providing a space to connect, share insights, and explore the exciting advancements of the CIE initiative
The Community Information Exchange (CIE) is an innovative platform designed to streamline the coordination of services among community partners, ensuring residents can easily access the resources they need By bridging the gaps between healthcare, social services, and other community supports, the CIE will lead to more efficient, effective service delivery for individuals and families throughout the region
The event featured special guest speakers, including Matt Habash, President and CEO of Mid-Ohio Food Collective, Jordan Davis, Executive Director of Smart Columbus, and Danielle Sydnor, CEO of RISE Together Innovation Institute These leaders shared their thoughts on the transformative potential of the CIE and the importance of community collaboration in building a more connected support system for Franklin County
Resident members of the CIE Experience Council were also in attendance, offering their perspectives on how the CIE platform will impact their lives and the community at large Their participation underscored the project’s commitment to putting people at the center of innovation, ensuring that the technology we are developing truly meets the needs of those it aims to serve
The event was a celebration of the progress we ' ve made, but also a call to action for continued partnership as we work toward a future where everyone in Franklin County can access the resources and support, they need to thrive (Insert video here):
Click to watch
Building Economic Security Through Investment in Human Services: A Call to Action
At the recent State of Human Services Sector hearing hosted by Columbus City Councilmember Melissa Green, RISE Together’s Director of Policy and Advocacy Will Petrik testified about the critical need for investment in the human services sector His testimony focused on the importance of innovation and technology in supporting residents, caseworkers, and agencies
"We must invest in the human service sector and continue to innovate to make sure that all of us can live with a strong foundation of economic security Together, we can co-design technology solutions to meet and anticipate the needs of residents, caseworkers, and human service agencies," Petrik emphasized.
The hearing also featured testimony from Michael Corey, representing the Human Service Chamber of Franklin County, with Councilmembers Nick Bankston and Nancy Day-Achauer attending in support
Investing in human services is about more than funding organizations; it’s about empowering the professionals who dedicate their lives to helping others and enhancing the systems and tools they rely on By co-designing innovative technology solutions, the sector can better anticipate the evolving needs of the people and communities they serve
Click here to read the full Public Testimony by Will Petrik, Director of Policy & Advocacy
On August 15, 2024 Will Petrik testifies at Columbus City Council for the Health, Human Services and Equity Committee: State of the Human Services Sector hearing
BOOK OF THE QUARTER
WHITE POVERTY: How Exposing Myths About Race and Class Can Reconstruct American Democracy.
By Reverend Dr. William J. Barber II with Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove.
A generational work with far-ranging social and political implications, White Poverty, promises to be one of the most influential books in recent years.
White Poverty by Reverend Dr William J Barber II, co-written with Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, challenges the persistent myth that poverty in the U.S. is primarily a Black issue, despite the fact that the majority of people living in poverty are white. The book explores the historical roots and political consequences of this misconception, revealing how racial myths have divided Americans and obscured the plight of poor white families Through a mix of historical analysis, personal reflections, and biblically inspired language, Barber argues for a "moral fusion movement" to unite impoverished Americans across racial lines, addressing economic inequality and challenging the systemic lies that perpetuate division
