Work in Progress
The Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce established the 2046 Commission earlier this year. Meet the inaugural board members working to promote economic equity, position Black Businesses as a conduit to foster innovation, and promote their abilities to compete in and outside our region.
The pillars of work for the 2046 Commission will include
Municipality infrastructure and public policy
Supplier Diversity processes within the medical industry, with an emphasis on regional hospitals
Funding and access to Capital
Innovation and competition
Business to Business opportunities in diverse industries. Those industries include hospitality (including regional airports), manufacturing, service, consumer goods and technology
Attracting and retaining diverse talent.
The co-chairs of the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce (AACC) 2046 Commission have announced the inaugural 12 members of the 2046 Commission.
The co-chairs of the 2046 Commission are Stacey Browning, Browning, managing director at CincyTech; Jason Dunn, group vice president, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau and Chair of Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce; Larissa England, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion partner for The E.W. Scripps Company and vice chair on the Board of Directors for the African American Chamber of Commerce; and John A. Moore, president & CEO of Moore Air.
Established in March of 2021 to analyze and develop new policies for economic equity, position Black businesses as a conduit to foster innovation, and promote their abilities to compete in and outside of the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region.
“The 2046 Commission has assembled an impressive team from top organizations to develop recommendations and comprehensive regional alignment,” said Dunn, AACC Board chair and co-chair of the 2046 Commission.
The inaugural members of the 2046 Commission are:
The 2046 Commission, named to highlight the next 25 years of progress for Black Businesses in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region, will explore innovative ways to strengthen the foundation of Black businesses with an eye towards preparing the ecosystem to be competitive and welcoming to the next generation of Black entrepreneurs. The Commission will consist of 15 regional leaders from the economic, financial, purchasing and investing sectors, as well as policy makers.
The 2046 Commission was formed by the AACC Board as result of a groundbreaking study in partnership with UC Economics Center. The study shows the Greater Cincinnati Black businesses included in the analysis support more than $1.4 billion of operations expenditures and are responsible for directly employing 8,680 people with $540 million in earnings throughout the Cincinnati Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).
Moving Pictures
Since late Spring, Film Cincinnati has welcomed three film shoots to the area, continuing their strong work bringing Oscar-nominated directors and actors to the area.
If you ask Timothée Chalamet how he spent his summer vacation, he might mention going to Cannes but he has the Reds hat to prove he was in Cincinnati. He is one of the many acclaimed actors and filmmakers who have been in the region since late Spring.
Production recently wrapped on Monica, the latest feature film to shot on location in Greater Cincinnati.
Directed by Andrea Pallaoro, Monica, stars Emily Browning (American Gods), Oscar-nominee Patricia Clarkson (Sharp Objects), Oscar-nominee Adrianna Barraza (Babel) and Trace Lysette (Hustlers) as the title character. Pallaoro is co-writer along with Orlando Tirado, and Christina Dow, Eleonora Granata-Jenkinson, Pallaoro and Gina Resnick are producers.
Crews were filming in several neighborhoods in the area, including East Walnut Hills, Hyde Park, Carthage and Newtown, among other locations.
“On the heels of Rebel Rebel and Bones and All in Cincinnati this summer, Film Cincinnati is happy to welcome the cast and crew of ‘Monica’ to the area,” said Kristen Schlotman, executive director of Film Cincinnati. “Our office has been busy the last few months keeping in contact with production crews like this one so we would be ready to shoot in Cincinnati as soon as it was safe.”
Monica is the intimate portrait of a woman who returns home to care for her dying mother. A delicate and nuanced story of a fractured family, the story explores universal themes of abandonment, aging, acceptance, and redemption.
Executive producers are Andrei Epifanov, Steve Stanulis, David Schwarz, Julien Bourgon, Dru Davis, Christina Sibul (Thirteen) and BAFTA-winning producer Karen Tenkhoff (The Motorcycle Diaries).
Bones and All, starring Chalamet and Taylor Russel, was directed by Luca Guadagnino (Call Me by Your Name.) The film also stars Mark Rylance, André Holland, Jessica Harper, Michael Stuhlbarg, David Gorden-Green, and Francesca Scorsese.
Rebel Rebel, which shot here in May, stars Gareth Koorzen and features Drew Harwood, Chris Taylor, Sidney Edwards and Katie Garland Noble. This is the first project between Harwood and cinematographer Brandan Haskell.
Local Legends
From first goals to high scorers and bringing home gold, Cincinnati-area Olympians had a good start in Tokyo! See what the role hometown heroes are playing on Team USA.
Cincinnati-area athletes wasted no time bringing home gold, as Edgewood’s own Zach Apple stepped up the podium at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre on just the second day of the swimming competition.
Team USA repeated as the gold medal winner in the men's 4x100-meter freestyle relay. The quartet also included gold medal winner Caeleb Dressel, Blake Pieroni, and Bowe Becker. Apple was praised for his strong performance, anchoring the team to their first place finish.
You can see the race here . You definitely have time to watch the whole thing, since they won in just over three minutes!
After a tough loss in a shutout against Sweden, the US Women’s Soccer Team scored their first goal of the Olympics in the 9th minute of play in their second game against New Zealand, thanks to Cincinnati’s own Rose Lavelle. It was Lavelle’s first Olympic goal.
FF to :28 to see Rose Lavelle (and Team USA’s) first Olympic goal.
Her next goal was no less dramatic. On Friday, in a tough and tied-up match against the Netherlands, Lavelle scored the first penalty kick. Team USA ultimately won the match 4-2, and now faces Team Canada (and UC Bearcat Annette Gilles) in the semifinals.
Another Bearcat, volleyball player Jordan Thompson, has been praised by Olympic commentators and sports media for her standout performance, leading Team USA to a 3-0 victory over China. She scored 34 points during that match, the most of any volleyball player so far at the Olympics. She continued her dominance in a win against Turkey, as the women remain undefeated.
Cincinnati's Duke Ragan has advanced to the quarterfinals in the boxing featherweight division. So far he’s scored decisive victories over Kazakhstan’s Serik Temirzhanov and France’s Samuel Kistohurry.
West End Run
Last Saturday in-person racing returned the streets of Cincinnati. Take a look at the FCC3, presented by Medpace, which traced a 3-mile path through the West End, wrapping up at TQL Stadium for a Watch Party to see FC Cincinnati take on CF Montreal.
Last Saturday in-person racing returned to the streets of Cincinnati. Take a look at the FCC3, presented by Medpace, which traced a 3-mile path through the West End, wrapping up at TQL Stadium for a family-friendly Watch Party to see FC Cincinnati takes on CF Montreal that night on the road.
Star Quality
The Hard Rock Cafe opened last week with a series of events including a VIP opening. Browse through the gallery to see local rock stars and plan your visit for legendary burgers, local brews, and the best in live music.
Cincinnati an international roster of cities, with official opening of the Hard Rock Cafe Cincinnati. The party included cocktails, burgers, and of, course, rock ‘n’ roll.
Something to Remember
From Lady Gaga's dress to Eddie Van Halen's Porsche, the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati will feature incredible memorabilia from music's biggest stars. We're giving you sneak peek at what you'll see when the casino opens later this year.
The Hard Rock brand has become synonymous with rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia over the course of its 50-year history. Though the casino isn’t officially open just yet, Hard Rock Cincinnati is one step closer, this week unveiling part of its collection and offering a preview of more to come. Currently on view are the dress Lady Gaga wore to the celebration of Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday and Eddie Van Halen’s 1996 933 Porsche. The iconic guitar welcoming guests is also being installed along Central Parkway.
Adding to the local lore is a mural of Ohio-based music legends by artist as Jenny Ustick.
Ghost Man on Second
Aaron Dessner, via his band Big Red Machine, pays homage to his home town in the new song “The Ghost of Cincinnati,.” FYI, you'll recognize A LOT of the scenery.
Along with being in The National, Cincinnati native Aaron Dessner has worked with Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon on a collaborative band called Big Red Machine.
The second song from their latest effort, “The Ghost of Cincinnati,” features local landmarks in the video. Taylor Swift likes this song and you will, too.
The album How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last? is out August 27.
Love Always Wins
Cincinnati Music Festival presented by P&G (CMF) announced three events on the traditional July weekend when the festival is held, since the full event has been postponed to 2022. For the first concert at The Andrew J. Brady ICON Music Center at The Banks, CMF will partner with P&G and Vibe Cincinnati for a live concert by KEM with special guest Leela James.
Cincinnati Music Festival presented by P&G (CMF) won’t skip a beat in 2021. Organizers events set for the traditional July weekend of the Cincinnati Music Festival, despite the full festival being postponed to 2022 due to the pandemic.
“Music provides hope, comfort and determination, especially now during uncertain times,” said Joe Santangelo, producer of CMF. “These three events promise to share the positivity and history of our Cincinnati Music Festival presented by P&G and to bring together our fans through their love of music and art.”
For the first concert The Andrew J. Brady ICON Music Center at The Banks on Thursday, July 22, Cincinnati Music Festival will partner with P&G and Vibe Cincinnati for a live concert by KEM with special guest Leela James. KEM last performed at Cincinnati Music Festival in 2018. Tickets are now available.
Friday Flow presented by P&G at Washington Park, on July 23, features live music from Love Street with Vibe 5 and Tonia Ruby. This concert is free and open to the public.
“As our community begins to gather together again, P&G is proud to support events that bring back the spirit of the Cincinnati Music Festival,” said Damon Jones, chief communications officer, P&G. “We know music is a unifying voice and CMF is a long-standing jewel of the city. This year we will celebrate it in unique ways throughout the weekend and keep the celebration and support for the African American community active.”
Cincinnati Music Festival, Sponsored by P&G with partners Kroger, ArtsWave, 3CDC and AGAR, will come together for its second year on Saturday, July 24 to produce a special CMF themed Outdoor Artwork Gallery with musical entertainment. This curated exhibit of outdoor artwork will highlight 15 BIPOC owned businesses and artists that will be paired up together to create a unique and collaborative exhibition focused on supporting local artists, local businesses and the celebration of both unique types of art. The collaborative artworks will be celebrated through a month’s long installation of outdoor artwork within Washington Park, and then will travel to Court Street to be on display for a period of time, before heading back to the businesses to be proudly displayed within their space.
The Cincinnati Music festival presented by P&G returns to Cincinnati’s Paul Brown Stadium, July 21-23, 2022. A complete lineup will be announced in the next few months. Tickets are now on sale at CincyMusicFestival.com.
Pet Project
The web may not have been invented for dog memes and cat videos, but that's where it has found its true purpose. Take a look at Game Day's beloved pets before they break the internet.
Jojo belongs to Jackie Reau.
Link and Zelda
My two rescue pups could not be more different. Link loves to bask in the sunlight and would lay in our backyard all day long. Zelda needs to be within
striking distance of my husband or me at all times.
– Shae Combs.
Olive
Olive’s favorite treat, currently, is Milo’s Kitchen Chicken Jerky. She also likes American cheese and saag paneer.
Her favorite toy, when she feels like playing, is a Frisbee. Otherwise, she likes to curl up with sloth or dolphin, depending on which room she’s sleeping in.
– Tricia Suit.
Bear and Peanut
We think Bear (???) is around 11. Peanut, a Morkie, is 13.
Their favorite treats are Marrow Bones. Peanut likes to roll on hers before eating. Bear eats hers right away.
They also like “cheese treats,” which are balls of Philadelphia Cream Cheese – and the only way we can hide Peanut’s medication.
Peanut doesn’t have a favorite toy, but she likes hiding under covered chairs. They are her “apupments.” She also goes on safaris through our outdoors plants and bushes.
Bear likes anything that squeaks and playing ball in the front yard.
Neither of them like storms or fireworks.
They both get a lot of rest so they can greet us with much enthusiasm when we come home.
–Rich Walburg
This box of cats belongs to Betsy Ross.
Vinny
His favorite treat is Bully sticks and his favorite toy is his well-worn tennis ball
This favorite thing to eat? Cheese.
– Courtney Tomasetti
Ruby
Her favorite toy is Lamb Chop. Lamb Chop has traveled extensively with Ruby.
Her favorite food is anything I am eating.
– Pam McFarland
Tito and Kahlua
They like the chewy treat sticks and catnip.
Their favorite toy is NERF Darts. Tito likes to play fetch with them.
– Tanya Busby
Lights, Camera, (Back in) Action
The stars are aligning once more, as Film Cincinnati announced two feature films are currently shooting in the area.
If you were longing for the day Oscar nominees would return to Cincinnati, you’re in luck!
Location filming is under way in Greater Cincinnati for two films – Luca Guadagnino’s “Bones and All,” and “Rebel/Rebel,” the feature film from F/A Films with Cincinnati natives John A. “Johnny” Mocker, Jr and Robert “Chip” Heidt III as executive producers, in association with Katie Garland Noble’s Blue Himalayas Productions.
“Bones and All,” directed by Guadagnino and starring Timothée Chalamet, is their first collaboration between Guadagnino and Chalamet since the Academy Award-nominated 2017 feature, “Call Me by Your Name.”
“Our local crews are back to work in Cincinnati on feature films and we couldn’t be happier,” said Kristen Schlotman, executive director of Film Cincinnati. “This will be Guadagnino’s first film to be made on American soil and we’re honored to have it right here in our region.”
The film also stars Taylor Russell, Mark Rylance, André Holland, Jessica Harper, Michael Stuhlbarg, David Gorden-Green and Francesca Scorsese.
Adapted from the novel, “Bones & All” by Camille DeAngelis, the film is directed by Guadagnino and written by his longtime collaborator and Miami University alum David Kajganich, who worked with Guadagnino on “Suspiria” and “A Bigger Splash.”
“The film will shoot through mid-July and put hundreds of locals to work, not to mention book thousands of hotel rooms while on location,” said Schlotman. “The impact will be significant.”
Location filming is also under way in Greater Cincinnati for “Rebel/Rebel,” the feature film from F/A Films with Cincinnati natives John A. “Johnny” Mocker, Jr and Robert “Chip” Heidt III as executive producers, in association with Katie Garland Noble’s Blue Himalayas Productions. Location shooting for “Rebel/Rebel” began in May and is expected to continue through late June.
This is the second feature film from F/A Films, following writer/director Drew Harwood’s “The One You Feed,” distributed worldwide by Gravitas Ventures. Harwood returns as writer and director for “Rebel/Rebel,” a coming-of-age drama about a once famous actor grappling with drugs, addiction and self-discovery.
“With more feature films returning to production, we are thrilled to have F/A Films using our locations and our talent,” said Kristen Schlotman, executive director of Film Cincinnati. “Greater Cincinnati continues to be in demand for features thanks to our talented roster of cast and crewmembers.”
Film Cincinnati is a not for profit 510(c)3 whose mission is to attract, promote and cultivate film, video and commercial production to the area because of the economic workforce benefit they have on the region.
State of the Art
Today is the last day of Summerfair! Before you head to Coney Island to hear cool music and see incredible art from around the country, be sure to check out our gallery for a sneak peek.
June 6 is your last chance to enjoy Summerfair 2021 at Coney Island.
Along with exhibitions by more than 270 artists, Summerfair also features a slate of regional performers as well as its Gourmet Arts area with unique food and drink. One definite highlight of Summerfair is the Green Square, featuring 42 artists in a newly opened area at Coney.
–Photos by Shae Combs
Second Time Around
Baseball season begins again with Re-Opening Day” at Great American Ball Park on June 2, and we can guarantee there's not a chance of of snow for this game! Enjoy all the excitement in the DORA district at The Banks after the game.
No one does Opening Day like Cincinnati, but after two baseball season starts without the traditional festivities, the city gets another chance at the holiday. The Cincinnati Reds play the Philadelphia Phillies on Re-Opening Day at 12:35 p.m. at Great American Ball Park.
Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley and Hamilton County Commission President Stephanie Summerow Dumas proclaimed via ceremonial resolution that June 2 is a “half-day holiday” and encouraged everyone to come to the Reds game and visit the DORA District at the Banks.
Cincinnati Bell CEO Leigh Fox announced that the company is giving employees a half-day and urging them to come downtown to attend the game or to support small businesses. FC Cincinnati President Jeff Berding joined in the fun and announced that the light fins at TQL Stadium would be illuminated in red on June 1 and June 2 to celebrate Re-Opening Day.
In addition, leaders announced:
The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky African American Chamber, and Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau are offering a special discount on tickets to their members, with details to be delivered directly to members today.
Fountain Square will be a party thanks to 3CDC, who will program the square with bars and will stream the game live on the big screen atop the Foundry Building on Fountain Square.
The Convention Center, Tyler Davidson Fountain, Fifth Third Bank Building, and other buildings throughout the City will be illuminated in red to support the team on June 1 and June 2.
Thanks to Bally Sports Ohio, the Reds are giving fans a special $5 ticket offer for Re-Opening Day. Fans can buy $5 View Level tickets now through Monday night. Tickets can be purchased at reds.com/Bally.
The DORA District at the Banks will open at 11 a.m. and bars and restaurants will be staffed to accommodate fans and revelers! Bars and restaurants throughout downtown will be encouraged to be open with “Re-Opening Day” specials and activities.
Everyone in the region is encouraged to wear red on June 2 to support Re-Opening Day.
Get Pumped for Baseball
Two things everyone in Cincinnati loves are the Reds and Music Hall. What if we could combine them? As the Reds get ready to expand to full capacity at Great American Ball Park, more people will have the chance to experience a special video version of Take Me Out to the Ballgame played on the Mighty Wurlitzer!
Cincinnati is rightly proud of its heritage as a baseball town and as a music city. Every so often, those worlds meet in the most magical ways.
One of the purest sounds of summer is the bamp-bamp-bamp of the organ at a baseball game. In a game that prides itself on tradition, ballpark organ music only goes back to 1941, when the Chicago Cubs organist first played at Wrigley Field. Other teams, including the Reds, picked up on the trend, with organ music becoming as much a part of the game as peanuts and Cracker Jacks. Since 2010 John Schutte has served as the organist at GABP, where he plays everything from the traditional cheer of “Chaaaarge” to Punk Rock Girl to the delight of Reds fans.
Annette Januzzi Wick is one of those fans. She is also a board member of the Friends of Music Hall (FMH), referring to that esteemed building as her #iconcrush in social media posts. Combining her twin devotions, she wondered if Music Hall’s 1927 Mighty Wurlitzer could somehow be featured at Great American Ball Park.
She presented the idea to Mindy Rosen, FMH executive director, who knew just what to do. She connected Annette and Holly Brians Ragusa, who leads the Wurlitzer programming for the board, to the Cincinnati Reds marketing department. Excited about this proposal, the Reds went to work and created a video, based on a recording by Mark Herman, in time for the opening of the 2021 MLB season.
“Thanks to my former position at Downtown Cincinnati Inc. where I was fortunate enough to work with the marketing staff at the Cincinnati Reds, I knew they would be receptive to our idea to share the Mighty Wurlitzer with a wider audience,” says Rosen. “And what better audience than the crowds at Reds games?”
On days Schutte isn’t playing at GABP, baseball fans will experience the Mighty Wurlitzer playing during the seventh-inning stretch.
“I love it when my passions for both the arts and sports collide,” says Januzzi Wick. “Watching the Reds game and hearing Mark Herman play the fan favorite Take Me Out to the Ballgame on the Mighty Wurlitzer organ encapsulates a one-of-kind Cincinnati experience.”
“The Reds are truly community partners and immediately said yes to airing our video,” says Rosen. “It has been a wonderful ‘team’ effort to work with the Cincinnati Reds.”
If you are watching the game on TV or listening to the Reds on radio, you can enjoy your own seventh-inning celebration at home with the video.
–Tricia Suit
Butterfly Effect
Krohn Conservatory has reopened with Butterflies of Bali! For the 25th year of this iconic event, you can stroll through thousands of beautiful butterflies in this homage to the culture and landscape of Bali. New this year are timed tickets and extended evening hours.
While most people are facing the upcoming cicada return with a sense of dread and terror, we can all agree that having the butterflies come back to Krohn Conservatory is a welcome relief.
Game Day photographer Shae Combs visited Butterflies of Bali and captured images of the beautiful, ethereal creatures currently flitting among the flowers at the Krohn.
In compliance with current COVID guidelines, all guests are required to have a timed ticket before their visit. Tickets are in one-hour increments and guests will have 45 minutes to enjoy the butterflies and floral displays.
Next-Level Knowledge
As part of its continuing efforts to grow the region's vibrancy and economic prosperity, the Cincinnati Regional Chamber’s Leadership Center recently announced the eighth class of their Cincy Next program. Designed for professionals within the first eight years of employment, the program will help the 37 participants get better connected to the region.
Drawing from the experience of Leadership Cincinnati and C-Change, the Cincinnati Regional Chamber launched Cincy Next, a leadership development program aimed specifically to early career professionals in 2013.
Like its other leadership programs, participants in Cincy Next have the opportunity to learn more about the region, their colleagues, and themselves.
Cincy Next kicks off its eighth class with 37 participants this month. The seven-month program is designed for professionals within their first eight years of employment seeking professional and personal development as well as getting better connected to the region.
The members of the 2021 Cincy Next class come from a wide variety of backgrounds, occupations, and local employers.
They are:
Emily Bruns - Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Kyle Buchhalter - Messer Construction
Maria Castro - Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
Katie Clark - 84.51°
Mallory Clark - Bartlett Wealth Management
Garrett Cobb - Meyer Capital Management
Josie Dalton - Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub
Jessica Glorius-Dangelo - M+A Architects
Zach Davis - TriVersity Construction
Aliou Diouf - Marsh & McLennan Agency (MMA)
Courtney Dulle - Fifth Third Bank
Cody Dye - Turner Construction Company
Nick Edwards -Truepoint Wealth Counsel
Samantha Essel-Addo - GBBN
Katie Fisher - Procter & Gamble
Francisco Gomez - Cintrifuse
Alyssa Kathryn Heter - Oswald Companies
Jack Johnson - AMEND Consulting
Austin Kaelin - Essilor Luxottica
Gwendelyn Keihl - Johnson Investment Counsel
Cali Khakoo - LISC Greater Cincinnati
Devon Leary - Western & Southern Financial Group
Allison Lembright - Phillips Edison & Company
Christian Lucke - The Chabris Group – Keller Williams Seven Hills
Bryon McCorkle - TriHealth Corporation
Emma Moorehouse - Al. Neyer
Jazmine Mosby - Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA)/Cincinnati Metro
Mikhaela Renner - The Port
Gil Richards - Colliers International
Nick Rose - Band in a Bus
Kate Ryan - J+L Home Group, RE/MAX Preferred
Hannah Seiter - The E.W. Scripps Company
Megan Shiou - Cincinnati Insurance
Brice Smallwood - Frost Brown Todd
Liz Stout - The Kroger Co.
Maxwell Tumbleson - Great American Insurance Group
Laken Wallingford - Gateway Community & Technical College
Cincy Next is presented by Fifth Third Bank.
Backward Glance
BLINK was an unprecedented success, but don’t just take our word for it. The numbers - from visitors to economic impact to art installations - are in and they prove what a triumph this event is for the region.
For most of us, the memory of standing in a crowd of people marveling at the magic of light and movement during BLINK is a distant–and nearly unimaginable–memory. BLINK transformed the region into an outdoor art phenomenon with 100 installations including large-scale projection mappings, murals, and interactive light sculptures (projection mapping is the art of turning unusual or irregularly shaped objects–such as buildings–into a video projection surface.
This month, though, the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, in partnership with AGAR, ArtWorks, Brave Berlin, and the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, released the BLINK® 2019 Economic Impact Report. The results far surpassed the numbers from the first BLINK in 2017,
In October 2019, Cincinnati’s art and light phenomenon, BLINK®, attracted over 1.2 million attendees resulting in a total combined economic impact of $86.7 million and supported 1,015 jobs earning a total of $28.3 million dollars.
The four-day event featured 42 projection mappings, 38 interactive installation locations, and 17 murals stretching across 30 city blocks, two states and a river. BLINK’s inaugural event in October 2017 spanned 20 Cincinnati blocks and was experienced by more than one million visitors, the largest gathering of people ever in downtown Cincinnati and Over-the-Rhine until 2019.
The full report outlines the economic impact of BLINK, including its overall digital reach, survey results, and scope of events. For the detailed impact BLINK had on the Cincinnati region in 2019 download the full report here.
The BLINK team is excited about the City of Cincinnati’s commitment to fund BLINK in 2022 and will be working to announce plans for our return in the coming months. BLINK is produced by Agar, ArtWorks, Brave Berlin, the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber.
...And Stripes Forever
Stripes are definitely in this Fall as the Cincinnati Bengals unveiled their new uniforms – their first major uniform change in 17 years, and the fourth significant uniform redesign in team history.
Stripes are definitely in this Fall! The Cincinnati Bengals unveiled their new uniforms this week with some help from Tide and an old friend.
Shop Till You Rock
This week, Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati unveiled its Rock Shop in a festive ceremony, introducing the Hard Rock brand to Cincinnati. The Rock Shop is the first step in the rebranding of the casino, culminating in huge celebration of the all new Hard Rock Cafe and the Hard Rock Casino later this summer.
London. Tokyo. Ibizia. New York. Cincinnati.
This week, Cincinnati joined the ranks of Hard Rock Cafe T-shirt cities.
Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati unveiled the new Rock Shop, the first step in the rebranding and reopening of the casino formerly known as Jack.
“Hard Rock merchandise has made its mark on the world since the original, timeless classic logo T-shirt was introduced in 1971,” said George Goldhoff, president of Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati. “It inspired an entire assortment of merchandise—everything from pins to hoodies, jewelry, hats, glassware, and more. Hard Rock merchandise encapsulates unique memories which pay homage to the region where they’re located.”
The festive ceremony included show girls, City Council members, and staff from Hard Rock International to introduce the new Hard Rock brand to Cincinnati. The Rock Shop® is an exclusive retail experience, with a diverse collection of clothing, accessories, and music-inspired souvenirs. Shoppers can browse through music memorabilia, VIP offerings, and special items unique to the location.
The exclusive design for Hard Rock Cincinnati merchandise was also unveiled and features a tribute to Cincinnati’s history as the home of professional baseball and the historic Roebling Suspension Bridge.
The Rock Shop® is e open seven days a week: Sundays through Wednesdays, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursdays, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. The store will also follow all Safe + Sound health and safety protocols.
Moer Art
The Moerlein Lager House has unveiled three new murals from longtime Bockfest artist, Jim Effler, that celebrate Cincinnati’s grand brewing traditions. The artworks, located on large frames facing Joe Nuxhall Way, feature the riverfront, an 1800s brewery, and a celebation in the Grand Moerlein Beer Garden.
The Moerlein Lager House raised a glass to artist Jim Effler for his work designing three new murals celebrating Cincinnati’s brewing traditions. The three murals are located on large frames facing Joe Nuxhall Way. They include features of the Cincinnati's riverfront, which was essential to the Queen City's growth and economy from the beginning; a premier brewery in the 1800s that being the Christian Moerlein brewery and all coming together with people celebrating and drinking a beer in the Grand Moerlein Beer Garden.
“Pulling from the many beer labels, posters, and murals that I have painted over the years, Jim Effler satys. “These images represent the history of brewing in Cincinnati.”
Effler will be signing his new book 25 Years of Bockfest Posters and a variety of previous and current posters at the Moerlein Lager House from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. during the celebration. Pandemic protocols will be practiced during the celebration including at the celebratory toast. Everyone will be offered a safe social distancing session to meet the artist as well.
For those wanting to extend the celebration that day, the Moerlein Lager House will also be offering its weekly weekend brunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Reservations can be made online at Moerleinlagerhouse.com or by calling 513-421-2337.
Rise Up
Nick Clooney joins a lineup of other Great Living Cincinnatians for the Chamber’s new documentary, “Legacy of Leadership: A Region Rises,” which looks back on the past year to inspire a sense community pride and perseverance, airing this Wednesday on WCPO-TV.
Nick Clooney joins the lineup for the Chamber’s new documentary, “Legacy of Leadership: A Region Rises.”
This one-of-kind film presented by the Cincinnati Chamber Foundation and sponsored by PNC Bank, Cincinnati Bell, and dozens of other companies, will give viewers a memorable look-back on the past year invoking a sense community pride and inspiration to persevere.
The special airs at 7 p.m. on April 7, 2021 on WCPO-TV.
“Legacy of Leadership: A Region Rises” celebrates the stories of the heroes and leaders who served our community and led in the spirit of Great Living Cincinnatians. Clooney, 2012 GLCs, is highlighted in the documentary along with his fellow honorees Neil Bortz, Bob Castellini, Alva Jean Crawford, Dr. O’Dell Owens, Reverend Damon Lynch, Jr., John Pepper, Ed Rigaud, Jim Zimmerman.
The documentary features some of the region’s nurses, artists, business leaders, advocates, and essential workers who led and served in 2020 and set an example for our community. Featured stories include arts and culture, education, business leadership, entrepreneurship, inclusion, health care, and much more.