Independent Women
The 2024 YWCA Greater Cincinnati Career Women of Achievement honored 10 local trailblazers yesterday at their annual luncheon .
Cincinnati is home to many strong, talented, and accomplished women. During the YWCA Greater Cincinnati Career Women of Achievement luncheon on Wednesday, May 8, 10 of those women were honored for their diverse contributions to our community.
This year’s luncheon, chaired by Peg Moertl and Regina Russo, is the single largest fundraiser for YWCA. Proceeds directly support YWCA community-wide programs in the areas of safety, racial justice and inclusion, and empowerment and economic advancement. Yvette Simpson delivered a powerful keynote address, calling all of the attendees to action.
With programs centered on safety, racial justice and inclusion, and empowerment and economic advancement, the YWCA Greater Cincinnati makes a difference in the lives of local women and girls.
Each year, the YWCA recognizes women in the community who embody the organization’s mission. This year’s 2024 YWCA Greater Cincinnati Career Women of Achievement are trailblazers in their fields.
Tracey Artis
CEO, I Hear Music
Honoree, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber “We Are Making Black History,” 2024
Recipient, John F. Barrett Entrepreneur Vision Award, 2023
Inductee, African American Chamber Women’s Business Hall of Fame, 2023
Honoree, NAACP Cincinnati WIN Award, 2023
Board, LHOI, and member, Cincinnati Chapter of the LINKS Inc.
As an African American Woman in a male dominated industry, Tracey is a role model for success. She is the first woman to reach over 40 number one songs on the Billboard Gospel Charts and the first African American VP of gospel promotions for GospoCentric Records. She also served as VP of gospel promotions at Sony Music. Her own firm represents high profile artists, paving the way for women of color to pursue award-winning opportunities. While Black Family Reunions in other cities have diminished, Tracey is determined to continue this Cincinnati tradition in her additional role as Executive Director of Cincinnati’s annual Midwest Black Family Reunion.
Bridgit Chayt
Executive Vice President, Head of Wholesale Payment,
Fifth Third Bank
Founder, Women in Commercial, 2023
Awardee, One of 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking by American Banker, 2023
Chair, Fifth Third’s ArtsWave Campaign exceeding fundraising and participation goals with $1 million pledged and an 84% participation rate.
Bridgit oversees Treasury Management (TM) and Commercial Payments. She is one of four executive leaders in the Commercial Bank area and the only female executive VP in that business line. Recently, TM and Commercial Payments represented 9% of Fifth Third’s total revenue and 23% of the bank’s total non-interest income. Businesses of all sizes use her team’s technology. Her superiors believe it’s led to business growth, a story shared with investors and Wall Street.
She launched Fifth Third’s Women in Treasury Management (WITM) for officer-level women’s networking and personal growth. Since 2021 participants received nine prestigious President’s Circle Awards and 50 members were promoted.
Chara Fisher Jackson
CEO, Cincinnati Preschool Promise
Board, Leadership Council for Non-Profits, 2021–present
Board Chair and Current President, Found House (formerly Interfaith Hospitality Network), 2020–present
Board, Holly Hill, 2023–present
All-In Cincinnati Equity Coalition, 2015–present
Chara Fisher Jackson is an integral part of the Cincinnati community. Since she moved to Cincinnati from Atlanta, she has served as executive director and interim President & CEO of a mid-size nonprofit to her current role as Executive Director & CEO of Cincinnati Preschool Promise, managing multimillion-dollar budgets in each organization. Her legal skills, strategic thinking, advocacy, and advances in civil rights and equity reflect her deeply personal mission to improve her community and innovate early childhood education.
Over 240 Providers and 10,000 children have benefitted from Cincinnati Preschool Promise's work. Chara's goal is to make sure every child has a chance to thrive by supporting the early childhood education ecosystem. She goes beyond traditional boundaries to encourage broader involvement in supporting the youngest learners in Cincinnati.
Christie Kuhns, Esq.
President & CEO, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio
Advisory Board, Major League Baseball Cincinnati Reds Diversity, 2012–present
Board of Directors, Bethesda, Inc., 2021–present
Board, Ohio Poverty Law Center, 2020–present
Ohio Black Caucus Foundation, 2018–present
Board of Directors, YWCA Greater Cincinnati, 2021–2023
In her current role Christie aims to disrupt generational poverty and drive equity and financial empowerment. She oversees a $13.5 million dollar budget and staff of over 80 to advocate, educate, and encourage economic development in the community. An experienced attorney, Christie served in the Ohio House of Representatives on behalf of the 32nd District. She went on to use her background as VP of UC Health. Her many contributions also include: the Cincinnati Planning Commission, former Chair of the Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce Board, and the City of Cincinnati Human Services Advisory Committee. She is a founding member of the Avondale Development Corporation.
Kimm M. Lauterbach
President and CEO, REDI Cincinnati
Woman of Influence, Venue/Lead Magazine, 2023
Board of Directors, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, 2024
Board of Directors, University of Cincinnati Research Institute, 2024
Board of Directors, Cincinnati Experience
Board of Directors, BE NKY Growth Partnership
Business Advisory Council, Federal Reserve, Southwestern Ohio/Northern Kentucky
As leader of the Regional Economic Development Initiative Kimm drives job creation and economic development through business attrition, retention and expansion in 15 counties in Southwestern Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southwest Indiana. REDI’s projects created more than 40,000 new jobs and $2.2 billion in new payroll while retaining over 71,000 jobs and generating $4.8 billion in capital investment. Kimm ensures that REDI is inclusive, especially assisting under represented companies in distressed locations where 80% are either minority, woman or veteran owned. She has committed REDI to work with the Minority Business Accelerator. Through The Women’s Fund she helped create a toolkit to help companies change culture and uplift women in the workplace.
Jill Miller
President & CEO, Bethesda Inc./b13
Cincinnati Business Courier Women Who Mean Business, 2023
Cincy Business Magazine Rising Star, 2023
Venue Magazine Most Influential Women of Greater Cincinnati, 2023
Mercy McCauley Women Who Inspire, 2022
Smart Business Magazine Medical Mutual Pillar Award for Community Service, 2021
Philanthropy Ohio Innovation Award, 2019
As the inaugural leader in this position, Jill has made an indelible mark on Bethesda’s strategic structure for grant making and governance. She has captured national attention as the first funder in the region to practice trust-based philanthropy (TBP). This innovative approach encourages multi-year unrestricted funding, streamlined reporting and transparent, responsive communication. It also ensures that every person has a fair opportunity to be as healthy as possible, reflecting Jill’s passion for accelerating birth equality, improving youth mental health, and fueling health equity and innovation at Tri-Health. She credits her mentors for encouraging her to fight for pay equity to close the gender gap in organizational leadership.
Alicia Reece
President, Hamilton County Commission
Founder, Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame, 2023
Founding Member, Cincinnati’s National Urban League of Young Professionals
Board of Directors, National Action Network With Rev. Al Sharpton
Member, NAACP
Board of Directors, United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Board of Directors, Cincinnati Health Collaborative
Board of Directors, Greater Cincinnati Health Foundation
Alicia is the first local woman and first African American to successfully run in city, state and county races. Currently she oversees a $1.2 billion budget for Ohio’s third most populous county. Alicia served as vice mayor on Cincinnati City Council and four-terms as an Ohio state representative where she was elected president of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus and championed projects to increase funding for minority businesses. She collaborated to create the first Office of Small Business. More than $14 million in federal relief has been granted to over 1,400 small business owners due to her efforts. Alicia also served as deputy director of Ohio Tourism and host of “Alicia Reece Soulfood,” a national radio show and podcast.
Kristen Schlotman
Executive Director, Film Cincinnati
Erich Kunzel Queen City Advocate Award
Organizer, Women in Film, Cincinnati
Movie Maker Magazine Best Places to Live and Work in the Movies: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023
40 Under 40, Cincinnati Business Courier
20 Women to Watch, Cincinnati Enquirer
Women Who Mean Business, Cincinnati Business Courier, 2018
Kristen catapults Cincinnati into the international limelight by managing all aspects of Film Cincinnati. She woos producers to make their films here, reads scripts, scouts locations, identifies local crew and talent to employ, finds housing and acts as a liaison between the production and our region. Kristen weathered the pandemic and WGA and SAG strikes by organizing fundraisers, providing resources, and creating behind-the-scenes galas to showcase the film industry. Between 2019 and 2022, she brought 25 productions to the region resulting in $258 million in economic impact and 1,873 jobs. Kristen also works with Drew and Lea Lachey to produce the U.S. tour of the musical “Label:less” which showcases themes of inclusion and acceptance.
Alicia Townsend
Vice President & Regional Community Development Mgr
for U.S. Bank’s East Region
Board of Directors, Brighton Center, 2024
Chair, YWCA Racial Justice Breakfast, 2023
Member, Economic and Community Development Institute, Columbus, Ohio
Member, Local Initiatives Support Corporation
Board Member, The Center for Closing the Gap
Board Chair, Affordable Housing Advocates
Board, Women Helping Women
Extending to 16 states, Alicia drives strategy to mitigate reputation risk, ensures the bank meets the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) requirements, and manages $5.3 million in philanthropic giving. A long list of women have supported her career journey, helping Alicia believe that giving back is a mandate; it is not an option. She has held numerous roles in her professional assent, starting with administrative assistant, assistant VP for Visa check cards, retail branch manager, and administrator in personal and corporate trust. Her growing wealth of experience and humble beginnings enabled her to establish programs for entrepreneurs that positively impact small business owners and the local economy.
Kelly Wittich
Senior Vice President, Wealth Management for
UBS Financial Services
Forbes America’s Top Wealth Management Teams, 2022–2023
Forbes Best in State Wealth Advisors, Ohio, 2022–2023
Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023
Forbes/Shook America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors, 2020–2023
UBS President’s Council, 2021–2023
Kelly is a financial advisor at UBS Financial Services and works with FTB Financial Services team. They deliver financial planning and wealth management services for corporate executives and their families. FTB is ranked by Forbes among the top 100 wealth advisors in the nation, with an estimated $3.3 billion in assets under management. Early on Kelly earned her Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. Only 24% of CFPs are women.
In 2010, Kelly became the first female financial advisor on the FTB Financial Services team. As a mentor she invites colleagues, friends and clients to join her in community activities where she serves on the Board: ArtsWave and ProKids, a nonprofit where she was also a Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer for children.
Queen City Royalty
Since 1967, the Great Living Cincinnatian Award has been presented annually by the Cincinnati Chamber. Find our more about this year's honorees!
Servant leaders, mentors, and friends. That’s just a few words to describe the 2024 class of Great Living Cincinnatians.
The Cincinnati Regional Chamber recognized those who have left an indelible mark on our region. Learn more about John F. Barrett, Sally Duffy, SC, Delores Hargrove-Young and Donna Salyers.
John Barrett
is a dreamer. Sure, he’s also the Chairman, President and CEO of Fortune 500 company Western & Southern, member of a long-time Cincinnati family, and a pillar in the Greater Cincinnati community, but at the heart of his success, one simple credo can be found: he followed his dreams.
“I’ve always been a dreamer,” said Barrett. “I would think about stuff that other people just didn’t care to think about. ‘Why would you do this, why would you do that? What about this?’ My thing was, I was eager. I was learning. I was building. I was having fun. I’m a different kind of guy that way. From your dreams you develop your vision. I want to be the best person or partner you ever dealt with. I want you to leave the room thinking, ‘That guy is a guy I can count on.’”
Sister Sally Duffy
Sister Sally Duffy’s 40-plus years of advocacyand service as a Sister of Charity of Cincinnati might look like a career to the secular, but to her, it is much more than that.
“It’s not a career,” said Duffy. “It’s a ministry. Because you’re mutually doing what you and the Sisters of Charity Community feel like God is calling you to.”
The middle of nine children, as a young child, she knew she was Irish, Catholic, and a Democrat (her father John was a Franklin County Municipal and Appeals Court judge). And she was interested from the outset in helping others.
“My parents definitely put a focus on the common good and that’s the reason we’re here, is for love and justice,” said Duffy. “To make the world a better place for everyone.”
Delores Hargrove-Young
From the very beginning, the vice chairwoman of d.e. Foxx & Associates, Inc. was modeled an example of offering assistance to those who needed it.
Her beginnings were humble; she grew up in Jacksonville, Florida – “we called it Southeast Georgia,” she said – with her brother and parents. Her mother was a homemaker, her father a blue-collar worker, but she was none the wiser about her economic status until visiting family told her otherwise.
“I thought, ‘How could we be poor when my parents were always helping other people?’” said Hargrove-Young.
Donna Salyers
Donna Salyers is a self-made woman who makes things and makes a difference, a former newspaper columnist and TV show host, and current mogul of Fabulous-Furs, the world’s largest faux fur retailer. So. What is her story?
“My family was from Northern Kentucky, and my grandma taught me how to sew,” said Salyers. “We were a blue-collar family, and I graduated from Dixie Heights High School. I began working in Covington when I was 13 at a store called Goldsmith’s, where Coppin’s now sits.”
Photos, video and content: Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber and RESLV
How Sweet it is
Local food truck Sweets & Meats BBQ heats up with a feature on the Emmy-nominated PBS program, "Start Up."
What do you get when you combine a love for your community, tried and true family recipes, and delicious BBQ?
A recipe for success.
Like many local businesses, the road hasn’t always been easy. Starting from humble beginnings, Sweets & Meats BBQ is now celebrating 10 years in business. Their hard work over the past decade will be recognized in a new episode of the PBS series “Start Up.”
Sweets & Meats BBQ has quickly grown from a start up to a brick and mortar businees, operating four mobile units seasonally, and is a well-respected BBQ caterer in the area.
The episode airs locally this Sunday, Feb. 4 at 5 p.m.
Sweets & Meats BBQ, 2249 Beechmont Ave. For information about the food truck and catering click here.
Change Your Mind
Healthy choices aren't only about food and exercise. Allison Warrell shares how changing your mindset can help you adapt, adjust, and defy the odds.
One of the pillars of the annual Kroger Wellness Festival is “encouraging all of us to move more & grow stronger.” But many of us face challenges that make even simple exercises difficult.
Allison Warrell understands those difficulties. As a bodybuilder with achondroplasia dwarfism she was found ways to change and adapt workouts to suit her body and her needs, including changing her mindset.
She also inspires others to make those changes so they can get up, get moving, and get healthy.
2023 Cincinnati People Favorite Things
As 2023 draws to a close, we checked in with some of our favorite Cincinnati People about their favorite things this year. Meet the people we talked to and see how many of your highlights made the list!
Lauren Artino
Director of Digital Programming, Game Day Communications
When she’s not rocking the social media game for her clients, she loves to explore the food scene around Cincinnati and beyond!
Sarah Celenza
Chief Giving Officer, Meals on Wheels Southwest OH & Northern KY, which delivers essential services that promote the independence of seniors so they may remain in the comfort of their own homes. Each year, MOW delivers more than 1 million meals to local seniors.
Megan Coffey
Director of Media and Events, Game Day Communications
A chameleon in the media world, Coffey has finds numerous ways to tell stories behind the camera, interviewing and capturing moments to remember.
Hillary Copsey
Book Advisor, The Mercantile Library
At the Mercantile, Copsey leads and helps to organize book discussions, shares pretty pictures of books and book recommendations on social media, and tries really hard to resist the temptation to spend a day reading in the stacks.
Tim David
General Manager, Cincinnati Fear
David has been involved in the esports industry since 2012 as a player, coach, consultant, and university director. Getting his start in League of Legends, he has competed in online and LAN events around the world.
Bridget England
Program Director, 96 Rock WFTK
You can hear her “First Thing in the Morning,” as the host of the 96 Rock morning show for 12 years, with Nick. She loves to be out and about, whether its rooting for the home teams, checking out the newest watering hole, or eating at the newest restaurants.
Christian Gill
Chef, The Culinary Gang
Gill has taken on every challenge the Food Network has thrown at him, seizing numerous culinary opportunities, from corporate chains to local catering, and even Walt Disney World. He’s the owner Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey in Union, Kentucky, and has a faithful following on Instagram as @foodbrushninja.
Emma Guckiean
Player, Cincinnati Fear
Guckiean is the first female member of Cincinnati’s professional esports team. She competes in both “Super Smash Bros.” and "League of Legends" in Ohio.
Krista Katona Pille
Sales and Marketing Director, The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati
Katona Pille grew up on the west side of Cincinnati, which means she still lives on the west side of Cincinnati. She dreams to one day perform a one-woman rendition of Poltergeist. Brach’s candy corn is her ultimate weakness, and she’s celebrating 20 years with TCT this year.
Evans Mirageas
Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director, Cincinnati Opera
Mirageas is The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director of Cincinnati Opera. Widely considered one of the most talented and respected artistic leaders in the classical music industry today, he has a broad range of experience in both opera and symphonic music, as well as a long history of successful partnerships with many of the world's leading singers and conductors.
Jenifer Moore
Corporate Affairs Manager, Kroger
Moore is responsible for driving Kroger’s purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. She does this by engaging with the community and non-profit partners in Cincinnati and Dayton, including through the Kroger Wellness Festival.
Kathrine Nero
Director of Media Relations, Game Day Communications
A mom, wife and a self-described recovering TV news anchor, Nero has more than two decades of experience in television and digital media. An Elvis fan and a crafting queen always in search of the next great cup of coffee
Jackie Reau
CEO, Game Day
Reau has more than 25 years of experience and specializes in strategic communications planning, social media strategy and crisis management.
Mindy Rosen
Executive Director, Friends of Music Hall
Rosen loves all things French and is crazy about opera and the visual arts. She runs the day-to-day operations of the Friends, including for tours, education programming, volunteer outreach, special events, and community engagement.
Stephen Schmidt
Player, Cincinnati Fear
Also known as “Doorstop,” Schmidt was the first professional esports athlete signed to Cincy Fear. He has competed in Super Smash Brothers tournaments for nearly seven years and is one of the top ranked players in Ohio.
Tricia Suit
Editor, Cincinnati People
An award-winning journalist and marketer, Suit has been writing calendars listings and event round-ups since the turn of the millennium. She loves to share obscure Cincinnati history tidbits with unsuspecting passers by.
Amy Thompson
Executive Director, Cincinnati Youth Collaborative
Thompson joined CYC last year, leading this nonprofit organization that’s committed to empowering vulnerable youth and young adults to overcome obstacles and succeed in education, career and life.
Courtney Tomasetti
Director of Client Services, Game Day Communications, where she works to tell clients' stories through marketing, PR, communications, and social media campaigns.
Jayne Utter
Managing Director, Summerfair Cincinnati
Utter manages Summerfair, one of the most respected and popular fine art and craft fairs in the country. Over the past 25 years, Summerfair has a year-round commitment to the arts, supporting artists, programs, adn exhibitions in Greater Cincinnati.
Xavier Vaillancourt
Player, Cincinnati Fear
Vaillancourt is a League of Legends esports player, currently mid laner and coach for Converse University and assistant coach for Cincinnati Fear. He was previously known as Kryptid.
The Roar of the Crowd
Fear the Jungle...But not this tiger's stripes. Tony Da Tiger was just nominated as NFL's Fan of the Year for the Cincinnati Bengals. And for good reason! Take a look beyond the face paint and into the heart of this superfan.
The NFL Fan of the Year contest celebrates extraordinary fans who not only love of football, but care about their community.
This year’s Bengals Fan of the Year is Tony Da Tiger. The diehard Bengals supporter talks about that honor as well as all the charity work he does.
Take a look beyond the face paint and into the heart of this Cincinnati superfan.
Vote early & often, to make sure Tony grabs the top spot as Fan of the Year!
A Voice As Big As the Sea
Are sharks on the naughty list? How about penguins? Only one man knows for sure – Scuba Santa! He's back at Newport Aquarium and ready to dive into finding out what everyone would like this holiday season!
Having delighted guests since 2003, Scuba Santa marks his 21st year as one of Cincy’s most unique holiday traditions.
Scuba Santa’s Water Wonderland
Newport Aquarium
1 Aquarium Way
Newport
Open now through Dec. 24.
Visit website for specific hours each day.
Scuba Santa Breakfast
Dec. 9 & 16, 8 a.m.
Advance ticket purchase required.
Get more info and tickets at www.newportaquarium.com.
Through a little holiday magic, Scuba Santa can see, hear. and speak with guests at the Newport Aquarium while he’s diving underwater with rare shark rays, a curious sea turtle named Denver and all his fishy friends.
Santa has special meet and greet times every day in December, including from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve, in case people have any last-minute requests.
You can also get some one-on-one time with Santa’s elves, and be among the first to visit Scuba Santa on Saturday, Dec. 9 and 16. You’ll enjoy a breakfast buffet in the Riverside Room, with spectacular views of the Ohio River and downtown Cincinnati, and even design your own ornament!
After breakfast, join the fun as Scuba Santa fills the theater with bubbles. Every time a bubble pops, a wish will come true for someone throughout the world, adding a little more magic to the day!
Giving Thanks
It's the perfect time of year to think about all we have to be thankful for in Cincinnati. We checked in with some community non-profits s to see what their most grateful for this Thanksgiving.
Once again this year, Cincinnati ranked as one of the most arts and culture destinations in the country. The city was ranked at number 11 among the most arts-vibrant large regions in the United State in the SMU DataArts study. One reason for the incredible arts in the community is because of a proud tradition of strong funding for the arts.
That generosity carries over into the entire non-profit sector, too. For Thanksgiving, we checked in with some of our local non-profits as they reflected on the support of the community for their efforts this year.
Anthony Munoz Foundation
“The Anthony Muñoz Foundation is filled with gratitude for our incredible community! Today and always, we’re grateful for our extraordinary volunteers and interns, our dedicated AMF partners, and the amazing program kids, students, and schools that we are privileged to work with throughout the year. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the AMF community’s unwavering commitment and belief in our mission.
Thank you for your support and helping us to make an ‘Impact for Eternity’!”
– Claire Gilmore
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
ArtsWave
Justin Brookhart, BLINK executive director; Janice Liebenberg, vice president, Equitable Arts Advancement and Alecia Kintner, CEO of ArtsWave, and artist Michael Coppage.
“ArtsWave is thrilled that our region is one of the most ‘arts-vibrant’ in the nation! I’m thankful to live in a region where the arts are such big part of civic pride!”
– Alecia Kintner
CEO and President
JOE BURROW FOUNDATION
“We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity and kindness during the past week, which is a wonderful follow-up to the success of our initial Dine for 9. We are so grateful for the support we had in the Athens, Baton Rouge, and Cincinnati communities during that event!
At this time of year, everyone is looking for ways to ‘do good’ and we're thankful to be able to support so many children and families because of the support of so many donors.”
– Amy Floyd
Executive Director
Contemporary Arts Center
“I am thankful for the warm embrace that Cincinnati has extended since my arrival.”
– Christina Vassallo
Alice & Harris Weston Director
Cincinnati Youth Collaborative
Amy Thompson surrouned by CYC students
“What an amazing year at Cincinnati Youth Collaborative!
We celebrated 35 years of making a difference in the lives of Cincinnati’s young people through our life-changing programs, strategic partnerships, and dedicated volunteers. None of that would be possible without our fantastic team – I’m thankful for all of their hard work every day as we work make a positive impact throughout our community.”
– Amy Thompson
President and CEO
MEALS ON WHEELS SOUTHWEST OH
& NORTHERN KY
“We are so grateful for all of our incredible volunteers! Every day we have folks from businesses, schools, churches, community groups, and even families join us to do things like pack meals and decorate birthday bags or lead games and help serve meals at senior centers.
It’s so heartwarming, particularly at this time of year, to see how the community comes together to take care of our older neighbors.”
– Sarah Celenza
Chief Giving Officer
Sam Hubbard foundation
“Thank you to all of our generous donors! This year we added nine new schools to the Hubbard’s Cupboards program. Our partnership with Crayons 2 Computers helps us set students up for success by ensuring they have access to educational resources to strengthen their minds and healthy snacks options to fuel their bodies, so they can focus on learning.
With the support of our donors and partners, we’re on track to have an impact on the lives of more than 7,000 students across this year!”
– Lindsay Reisert
Managing Director
Summerfair
2023 Best of Show winner with Jayne Utter.
“We enjoyed an entire Summerfair 2023 with no rain! Yes it was a tad hot but it's so much easier when everything is dry.
I am thankful for the attention Summerfair is receiving around the city. My goal when hired was to have more people know and understand what the Fair is all about and that we are way more than three days at Coney Island. They afford us the opportunity to award over $100,000 each year in support of the arts and artists in Greater Cincinnati.
I am also thankful for my friends. As I think about them all I realized how many are involved with Summerfair. My old friends have joined the fun of supporting the arts and I have gained so many new friends from working at Summerfair.
We are always looking for more friends to come and have fun with us. See you at a meeting soon! “
– Jayne Utter
Managing Director
Holding Court
Xavier University's women’s basketball is embarking upon a new era this year, with new head coach Billi Chambers.The NYC native is enjoying her newfound role as a Midwest transplant, building a team by building rapport with and among her players.
Xavier women’s basketball is embarking upon a new era this year, with new head coach Billi Chambers.
2023–24 Women’s Basketball Tickets
Season tickets:
General Admission: $70
Courtside: $100
Single tickets:
Adults: $10
Youth (3-17): $5
Children 2 & Under: FREE
Purchase at GoXavier.com.
The NYC native is enjoying her newfound role as a Midwest transplant, building a team by building rapport with and among her players. She was drawn to the university because of one of Xavier’s tenets, “Cura Personalis,” teaching the entire person, and she’s taken that goal to heart, knowing basketball is just the beginning.
Meet Coach Chambers, find out her philosophy on Big East basketball, her thoughts on Cincinnati chili and keep your eyes peeled for a guest appearance from the Blue Blob!
In the Long Run
At a moment when she thought she was at her healthiest – Erin Gratsch found out that she had breast cancer. But the diagnosis was only the beginning.
October may have come to an end, but breast cancer doesn't pay attention to the calendar.
Of course, it doesn't pay attention to fitness, age or career either.
At a moment she thought she was at her healthiest – Erin Gratsch found out that she had breast cancer. But the diagnosis was only the beginning.
Food for the Soul
Inspired by great chefs, like Jacques Pepin, Suzy DeYoung brings real comfort food to the community with La Soupe.
A warm bowl of soup can be transformational. Just ask Chef Suzy DeYoung, the founder of La Soupe.
Since 2014, the local non-profit has rescued & transformed hundreds of thousands of pounds of food waste into delicious creations, not only extending the shelf life of local produce, but changing lives through it.
Recently, we chatted with DeYoung about La Soupe’s mission, what’s on their Fall menu (plus, a few of her tips to make your meals fab), and her visit this past Summer with the one and only, Jacques Pépin!
“This encounter will forever hold a special place in my heart as I expressed how profoundly Pepin influenced my career and life despite him not knowing me.”
Read more about DeYoung’s meeting with Pépin in her own words.
Learn more about La Soupe, order their delicious meals, and find out how to get involved at www.lasoupe.org.
Team Player
See how Annie Agar has carved a unique niche for herself in sports coverage, using a remarkable blend of humor, insight, and a knowledge of sports, especially football, that is off the charts.
– Betsy Ross
I’m always impressed with women who succeed in the world of sports. I'm especially impressed if they do it in a smart, original, clever way. That’s how Annie Agar has carved a unique niche for herself in sports coverage.
She is funny, she is insightful, and her knowledge of sports, especially football, is off the charts.
That's why I wanted to interview her at this week’s Joel Cornette Foundation golf outing. She has managed to create her own media channel with her phone and her wit. If you don't follow her on social media, do it now at annieagar5 and get ready for football season with her irreverent look at the game.
Playing Fair
The art and artists of Summerfair Cincinnati take over Coney Island this weekend, June 2–4. Not just an extraordinary mix of visual art, fine crafts, music, and food, Summerfair also supports local artists and community-based arts organizations throughout the year. Find out more from Jayne Utter, Summerfair's managing director.
Coney Island
6201 Kellogg Ave.
summerfair.org
Get tickets now!
This is the 56th year of Summerfair Cincinnati, with more than 300 fine artists and craftspeople from around the country, as well as music, and great food and drinks.
Artists apply and are then judged, allowing only the “cream of the crop” to exhibit their art at the fair in a number of categories.
Acoustic Stage Performers
Saturday, June 3
12 p.m. – Wild Carrot (Americana / Roots / Folk)
1 p.m. – The Faux Frenchmen (Gypsy Jazz)
2 p.m. – April Aloisio & Brian Batchelor-Glader (Brazilian Jazz)
3 p.m. – Ricky Nye (Blues / Boogie Woogie)
4 p.m. – The Cheryl and Shorty Show (Blues / New Orleans Music)
5 p.m. – Rachel Mousie (Singer / Songwriter / Piano)
6p.m. – No Promises (Acapella Vocal Group)
Sunday, June 4
11 a.m. – Jam Grass Duo ( Bluegrass )
12 p.m. – The 3 Micks (Classic Acoustic Rock)
1 p.m. – Boutique (Pop / Jazz)
2 p.m. – The Amador Sisters ( Cuban & American Folk / Dance Songs)
3 p.m. – Tracy Walker (Original R&B , Folk )
4 p.m. – String Theory (Classic Rock / Beatles and more)
Summerfair supports young artists, individual artists and small and mid-sized community-based arts organizations through scholarships, awards and exhibitions throughout the year.
Summerfair is one of Cincinnati’s most highly recognized events, kicking off the summer season the weekend after Memorial Day, and attracting more than 20,000 visitors each year.
A heart for adventure
Adventure Crew celebrates its 10th anniversary of helping local teens get back to nature, by exploring outdoor experiences, learning new skills, and finding themselves.
““Going outdoors, that’s just me. All the way.” ”
“I like how you can explore and go anywhere with your friends.”
These are just two of the many testimonies of local teens involved in Adventure Crew.
Since its inception in 2013, the organization has given countless Cincinnati area teens the opportunity to explore.
The hope? That local teens, especially those who might not normally have the chance to, enjoy nature, learn to ride a bike (maybe for the first time!), make friends, and so much more.
“Through Adventure Crew, city teens develop the courageous spirit to step out of their comfort zone and discover new worlds — outside in nature, and inside themselves. This deep connection to nature will change the course of their lives, no matter what environment they’re in.”
On a particularly perfect spring day, we joined Adventure Crew (and its biggest group of teens yet!) as it embarked on a day-long kayaking trip down the Little Miami River with Loveland Canoe & Kayak.
Adventure Crew’s Executive Director, Libby Hunter, tells us Adventure Crew removes the barriers of cost, access, transportation, meal costs and more so kids & teens from Cincinnati Public Schools and Northern Kentucky can have a free, all-inclusive experience in nature.
Green Crew is the baseline adventure, which introduces local teens to Adventure Crew.
“We take between 850 and 1,000 kids on adventures every year. What you’re seeing today is our baseline adventure, called The Green Crew,” says Hunter.
From there, kids rise through the crew pathways, which include rock climbing, mountain climbing, and certifications for summer youth employment.
How does Adventure Crew fund all of this fun? It has three main ways – grants, individual and corporate sponsorships and Paddlefest.
Hunter says the Ohio River Paddlefest is a massive part of this, making up “about 20% of our revenue”.
Anthony, a student at Holmes High School, signed up for Adventure Crew when his sixth period teacher mentioned the group. Anthony signed up and has been on every trip.
To learn more about Adventure Crew or donate click here!
Giving a Hand
The Romanian Handicapped Ministries celebrates its 25th anniversary with a fundraising dinner on May 19 at The Transept to benefit the work they do, both here and abroad.
Romanian Handicapped Ministries
Members and Friends Dinner
Friday, May 19
The Transept, 1208 Elm St.
Hors Doeurves and wine at 6:15 p.m.
Dinner and program at 7 p.m. iwth keynote speakers Jennifer Bricker, Bauer and Dominick Bauer
Pre-dinner music by Dave Austin
Learn more at www.romanianhandicapped.com.
For the the past 25 years, the Romanian Handicapped Ministries has brought people together. People who were once strangers have formed a community and support group, caring for each other even outside of their ministry activities.
The mission of RHM is to present a message of hope to young people and adults and their families in Constanta, Romania who have physical and mental disabilities by demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ in practical ways.
The RHM operate the Madison Day Center in Constanta, a modest and cheerful facility where we meet the physical and spiritual needs of members for free. The organization provides
Social activities
Self-help skills
Ability-appropriate education
Medical consultation and medications
Individualized physical therapy
Prostheses provided by the Cornel Foundation UK
Family counseling
Support in personal crises
Evangelical classes and Biblical instruction
Transportation
On a Mission
This year's YWCA Career Women of Achievement Award, held yesterday at the Duke Energy Convention Center, honored 10 women who have made a profound impact in the workforce and on our community. Find out more about these inspiring leaders!
The YWCA Career Women of Achievement Luncheon was established in 1980 to increase community awareness and appreciation of the diverse contributions of women in the workforce and in the community.
Former CWA honorees Karen Bankston, Mary Miller and Barbara A. Turner, all shared powerful stories about their lives, both at work and at home, that centered the YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.
This year, the luncheon was held in person for the first time since 2019, bringing the community together to celebrate this year’s honorees and scholarship winners, Kanwaldeep (Kim) Singh (Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Scholar) and Mohagany Wooten (Mamie Earl Sells Scholar).
Kelly Beatty
Chief Performance Officer, FIS
Catrena Bowman
Executive Director, Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission
Liz Carter
President/CEO, Scripps Howard Fund
Julie Holt
VP & Chief Nursing Officer, The Christ Hospital Health Network
Danya Karram
President & Co-Founder, Brilliant Advice
Alecia Townsend Kintner
President & CEO, ArtsWave
Charmaine McGuffey
Sheriff, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office
Ndidi Unaka, MD
Medical Director Quality Improvement & Analytics, HealthVine, Cincinnati Children’s
Give and Learn
Most Valuable Kids turns tickets, experiences and opportunities and into life-changing rewards for deserving kids and their families.
Making a difference: one ticket at a time.
That’s been the goal of Most Valuable Kids since its inception in 2005. The Cincinnati nonprofit takes tickets, experiences and opportunities and turns them into life-changing rewards for deserving kids and their families.
“Sometimes it just is a fun field trip; but, many times, it is much more,” said Sherri Friedman, CEO of MVK. “As we say, it is more than a ticket.”
Friedman and her husband Tedd started Cincinnati’s chapter of MVK in October of 2005 after a college friend created Most Valuable Kids in Washington, D.C. The Friedmans leaned into their love of sports and cultural events and their web of Cincinnati contacts, and started building. They credit the community and board members and early supporters like Johnny Bench and Tom Jackson, Jack Louiso and the Cincinnati Bengals, who helped open doors for their success.
Most Valuable Kids is always looking for in-kind and financial donations. For more information, go to www.mostvaluablekids.org/cincinnati.
But their focus has always been the kids. “It started - and remains - a labor of love to the kids in our community,” Friedman said.
MVK works with more than 85 child-focused charities, and the majority of Cincinnati sports and cultural venues to turn donated tickets into opportunities. MVK opens the doors to these experiences, providing students not just access to the game, show or event - but the opportunity to see and do something outside their neighborhood - and their comfort zone. Event extras such as snack packs, food vouchers, team swag and on-field opportunities and/or player and coach meet-and-greets are sometimes included, making each experience a day to remember.
It’s what each ticket represents that drives Friedman and MVK. A day at the ballet that might spark interest in the arts. A night at the ballpark that creates a childhood memory. And those memories in some cases, are indelible.
“We were just tagged in a post by a mentor who attended his mentee’s recent wedding,” Friedman said. “He was recalling all of the memories they had created together over the years, from Reds to Bengals games and other outings, many which were provided by MVK. We loved seeing them together as their photo still adorns a wall in our office. We feel incredibly honored to have played a small part of their story.”
That’s not the first time MVK has heard about the impact its mission has had on the community. One ticket recipient said that the opportunity he received from MVK in middle school made him feel like he was “worth something” and “was important.” Several years later, he graduated as valedictorian of his class. He credits his participation in the Boys and Girls Club and the experiences he received from MVK as difference makers in his life.
Over the years, MVK has provided more than 226,600 opportunities, valued at almost $5 million dollars, to deserving kids and their families, social workers, mentors and more.
Now, the mission has grown to more than events and experiences, but education, too. Most Valuable Kids has recently formed a partnership with the Mayerson JCC, which provides hands-on science and art programs to MVK partner agencies. Additionally, MVK now operates its own female empowerment program called Girls with Pearls, covering important topics like financial literacy, reproductive health, conflict resolution and setting goals for the future.
“No doubt the most rewarding part of my job is hearing from our partners how much the experience has meant to the kids and families they serve,” said Friedman. “There are so many people with limited resources who wouldn’t have the opportunity to experience the magic of a live sports or cultural event without MVK and our incredible donors.”
– Kathrine Nero
Luke-ing Good
You've seen Fluke Skywalker at Star Wars events aroudn town for years, but how much do you know about the man behind the robe?
You’ve seen him on Twitter, at Music Hall, and in the Opening Day parade. But how did Fluke Skywalker, the self-described “volunteer cosplayer for charity” begin his journey on the Jedi path?
Kind of a long time ago, in a galaxy, not all that far, far away, he started volunteering to help children at Ronald McDonald House and donating toys with universal appeal. He eventually donned a Jedi’s robe and picked up a light saber as he dropped off those Star Wars toys. Not surprisingly this is his busiest time of year.
“What Christmas is the Santa Claus,” he says, “May the 4th is to me.”
When did you become Fluke Skywalker?
I lost 90 pounds from August 2016 to August 2017. Shortly after that I started hearing the Mark Hamill comment quite a bit. That Christmas I decided to go to my local Ronald McDonald House – where my family and I had been volunteering for 10 years – with Star Wars toys.
We loaded the toy closet for the kids who have to stay there while awaiting chemo and surgeries. It was a big success and they asked if I would come back. So every three months without fail since then, I drop off Star Wars toys to the Ronald McDonald House for the kids.
What are you most proud of about your work with Ronald McDonald House?
In 2006, my wife's friends from her work invited us to help make a big Sunday brunch for the family staying at the Ronald McDonald House. We liked it and started doing it about five or six a year.
We did this for 10 years, when the Ronald McDonald House brought in a professional chef for a better nutrition. Our volunteer opportunity changed a bit so I had to figure out something else to do to help.
Losing the weight and purchasing the costume and lightsaber was my way of making the commitment to always bring them toys and to do events to raise money for the charity.
I am most proud of having helped purchase a handicap-accessible van for a huge Star Wars fan who is in a wheelchair.
How do you celebrate May the 4th?
I volunteer from sun up to sundown.
The morning starts with my annual visit to Local 12 TV station. Bob Herzog always invites me on because he is a huge Star Wars fan. This gives me an opportunity to promote the events I’m going
to be doing that day and for the next few days. Bob is an absolutely wonderful guy. The fact that he does this every year is always unbelievable to me. He’s helping so many people – I don’t know if he understands how big of an impact that is on our community.
Once I leave the studios, my friend Jon Hammer, who plays the Mandalorian, and I will head over to the Newport Aquarium for their Star Wars Day from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
I will head home after that and get ready for the next event while John heads North to the COSI Center in Columbus for their Star Wars evening event.
I, on the other hand, will be spending the evening at Grainworks Brewing Company in West Chester for a free, family- friendly fundraiser to help out disabled veterans, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Many characters from the movies will be there as well as a lot of fun activities, raffles, food, drinks, and things to do for the kids. It should be a very fun night for everyone. Even if someone is not a Star Wars fan, they may want to come just to help support the disabled veterans who volunteered to serve their country and were wounded in action. In my opinion we can never repay these people enough for their sacrifice.
How did you decide to use your powers for good?
I was already doing the volunteer work. I've been a volunteer since I was a kid – I used to ride my bicycle to raise money for the Jerry Lewis Labor Day telethon.
I'm just continuing being that same volunteer, as I like helping out others.
Also, the attorneys for Disney are a huge incentive to just
volunteer, and not take any pay!
What other charities do you work with?
Make a Wish, Four Paws for Ability. Blue Skies for the Good Guys and Gals, Juvenile arthritis Foundation and a few others from time to time.
How can people support your efforts?
I really only ask once a year, on Giving Tuesday, the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
People have been very generous and donated to help buy lots of toys and special things like several Star Wars pinball machines for the kids game room at the Ronald McDonald House.
I do have a GoFundMe that is up year-round, but I only ask for help one day of the year.
Should someone want to donate to help buy more toys at Christmas and then every three months throughout 2024 they can donate at https://gofund.me/071f8b27.
Have you met Mark Hamill?
I have never met Mark Hamill but I see him every morning when I'm shaving!
his is actually the most often asked question of me. The second one is “Did I look like him when I was younger?” Not really. Both of us are white guys with blonde hair and blue eyes. That's about it.
Mark has followed me on Twitter since 2019 and knows my every move. I do this on purpose so he can keep an eye on me. He has a sterling reputation and does not want some Joker from Cincinnati messing it up for him.
It would be fun to meet Mark Hamill. However, I'm not in this for the Star Wars as much as I'm doing all this for charity. At best, I am a C+ Star Wars fan and an A+ volunteer for charity. That's where my priorities lie.
What's your favorite Star Wars movie?
I like the one with C-3PO in it – Just kidding!
Actually I like all of them equally. This is a tough question to answer. It's like someone asking you who your favorite child is. I don't have a favorite one, I love both of my kids equally. Same goes for the movies.
May the force be with you!
In the Long Run
Not many runners thought running Flying Pig Marathon, 25 years later. We talk to a few of the 72 “Streakers” who back for the race's big anniversary.
The 25th anniversary is usually celebrated with silver, but for 72 Flying Pig “Streakers” (people whose who have participated in all 25) their anniversary gift will be something even more precious--a big, brass alloy medal with a pig on it. The streaker group’s numbers have dwindled over the years, of course, from the more than 6,000 who toed the start line in 1999 to those who will head to their start corral on Sunday, May 7. Probably very few thought that on that day 25 years ago that they’d still be running the race, but here they are—and here are a few of their stories, in their own words.
What compelled you to sign up for the first Flying Pig?
Rick Kieser Bib #147
I ran my first marathon (Los Angeles) about 10 years before and did not train for it and was never happy with my finish time of 4:26 minutes. I thought at the time … well I am never doing one of those again and happy it was over but not content with the fact that I could have done better. Then the first Flying Pig was on my 35th birthday May 9th 1999 and thought, well there is no better way to redeem myself but to actually train for a marathon and be part of Cincinnati’s first. Had a time good time of 3:41 and was very happy with a respectable marathon time.
Mark Jepson Bib #144
At the age of 46, the Flying Pig was my first full marathon. As a lifelong runner, I always wanted to run a marathon, and I decided a hometown race was a perfect race to go for it.
Robert Engel Bib #125
I had been running marathons for about five years when I heard about the Flying Pig. I signed up because I thought it would be great to run in Cincinnati. All of my other marathons required travel and motel reservations. (Columbus, Chicago, Boston) I thought would be great to get up from your own bed and drive to the race. I never thought it would turn into a weekend of fun.
When did it dawn on you that you had a streak going at the Flying Pig marathon and that you wanted to continue it?
Kieser:
Years before, the Heart Mini-Marathon celebrated a person who had run it for 20 years in a row, and I thought wow that is really something. Doing the Mini-Marathon 20 years in a row … what an accomplishment and insightful on that person’s part to hang in there. One of the reasons for running the very first Pig was, if I was going to have a similar streak, I have to run the very first one. But there is a big difference from running a 15K 20 years in a row versus a marathon.
For the first few years it was hard to say I was going to do it again next year because they are always painful, but I kept it going. First was to get to five, then 10, then 15, then I thought I was done at 20! But here I am now at 25!!! Oh my goodness. It is a mouthful however you look at it.
Jepson:
I thought about a Flying Pig ‘streak’ right away, I guess. I’ve always liked the idea of race streaks.
Engel:
Early. I remember in year 5, we got an extra t-shirt for doing all 5 marathons.
What makes the Flying Pig Marathon so special to you?
Kieser:
Very well run, great spectator support, good charities and supports our hometown Cincinnati. It’s truly a special marathon.
Jepson:
I love the Flying Pig. As I said, it’s a hometown race, and it always runs right through my Mt. Lookout neighborhood.
Engel:
It's our home town race. It is a weekend of fun, getting to see and spend time with runners at the expo, weekend races and parties.
Were you a runner before the inaugural Flying Pig, and do you run other events?
Keiser:
Not really. First marathon was Los Angeles ten years earlier and all my other marathons have been the Pig. I am concentrating on the Pig. I have completed a full Ironman, too.
Jepson:
I’m a lifelong runner, and I run many local races. I’ve run all the 14Ks (both back in the day, and since the Flying Pig took it over). I’ve run all the Little Kings/Fifty West Mile races, and all of the Bockfest 5Ks. Even earlier, I ran almost all of the Reggae Runs, and most of the Run Like Hell 5Ks.
Engel:
I had been running about 8 years before the Pig. Running wasn't my idea, my doctor got me running when my blood pressure was out of control in 1991. I ran my first marathon in 1994, first Boston in 1996, first 50 miler in 1998, first 100 miler in 2001, first 150 miler in 2010 and in the Covid year 2020 I ran the Ohio to Erie trail from Cleveland to Cincinnati--326 miles.
Any personal story you'd like to add about your experience at the Pig?
Kieser:
It was one of the earlier Pigs, maybe 2007, we show up to the starting line and its 42 degrees and really raining. We are all cold at the starting line but everyone is very optimistic about the run and happy. Then Iris (Simpson Bush, Pig Works CEO) gets on the microphone and says, “I just checked the weather and it’s going to stop raining!” And I thought that is great. Then I am at Mile 17 in Mariemont, it’s been raining the whole time and I am getting tired and I am looking at the big puddles on the ground. I then thought if you had any one coming to visit for support in the last few miles that they will not be there because the temperature is dropping and it raining hard. It is awful conditions.
I get mentally prepared to have to gut this one out alone. Then a friend of mine David Willbrand, who was to meet me at mile 19 and run some, actually shows up!!! I was so surprised, and I said what the heck are you doing, it’s awful, and no one else is around, and he said “Well I am a man of my word and I knew you could use the support.” He ran me home to the finish line for the next 7 miles and I finished with a good time 3:43. Oh my goodness that one was tough and I was so grateful to David. It’s a wonderful event. I am happy to be a Streaker. Game on!
Engel:
As a pacer for the last 15 years, I have many stories and memories. But one year, I do remember being yelled at for having too much fun. My buddy Sean and I were at Mile 22. We had just passed the last relay coral. One of the relay participants asked us if we were running the full. She said that we were in very good spirits for Mile 22. We told her we weren't racing, we were just using it for a training run. She asked for what. We told her, the Mohican 100. She said you guys are like Forest Gump!
And so it started...shrimp on a stick, shrimp sandwiches, shrimp...after couple minutes of everyone laughing and calling out shrimp something an old man started yelling at us. “You people are making a mockery of the race! Some of us are trying our hardest to do this race!” I guess somebody was hitting the wall???
The 25th edition of the Flying Pig Marathon Weekend presented by P&G and Prysmian Group will be May 5-7, 2023. For more information and registration, visit flyingpigmarathon.com.
Welcome Home
The Rosenberg family brings a vision of carefree lifestyle energized by a sense of community to Columbia-Tusculum with 423 Hoge.
– by Kathy Doane
For the Rosenberg family, patriarch Marvin and his two sons, Barry and David, 423/Hoge in Columbia-Tusculum represents a lifetime of lessons well-learned. Once again, the second generation of real estate developers is giving the city something innovative in this 62-unit project aimed at empty nesters rethinking home ownership so they enjoy the flexibility of the active lifestyle they’ve worked so hard to attain.
423/Hoge welcomes its first residents on March 31.
The development represents a new way of living in Cincinnati’s oldest neighborhood. A carefree lifestyle energized by a sense of community, the project’s long-term goals of adding value to the area were key to its planning. All the very same thoughts that Marvin and his partners had when they tackled their first project more than 60 years ago.
Building Blocks
When friends Marvin Rosenberg, Neil Bortz, and Lambert Agin began to acquire and rehab their first properties in Mt. Adams in the early 1960s, it was a modest, working-class neighborhood of small houses. But they saw the potential to make it more, because there was a definite charm to the neighborhood with its hilly streets, tightly packed houses, and most of all, its spectacular views of downtown and the Ohio River.
Granted, it was counterintuitive to the trend driving many house-hunting decisions at the time: Moving to the suburbs. Still, Marvin, Neil, and Lambert, who formed Towne Properties in 1961, believed if they could attract enough people, generally younger adults looking to live a more exciting lifestyle, they could create a sense of community and something new.
And they did.
During the 1960s and ‘70s as bars, restaurants and shops opened, Towne Properties continued to rehab its older houses, and Mt. Adams became a weekend entertainment destination and one of the City’s most desirable places for young adults to live. It was the hip equivalent of similar areas in New York and San Francisco.
“We were selling the idea of community by introducing our friends, and their other friends, to the charm of Mt. Adams,” Marvin says. “It was a lifestyle that was much more interesting than the life they were living in the suburbs.”
In addition to creating a sense of community, the redevelopment added value to the area and enabled long-term growth potential. So, it was important from the beginning, to do it right. This formula would define Towne Properties’ reputation and success moving forward. Towne Properties became one of the area’s most successful property developers and managers, with iconic projects such as Indian Creek in Indian Hill, the Cloisters in Mt. Adams, Landen in Deerfield Township and Harpers Point in Montgomery.
“Everyone involved – the lending institutions, the seller and surrounding neighborhoods – knew our goals were long-term, and when we said we would do something, they could count on us to do it right,” Marvin says.
FAMILY TRADITIONS
Now that same philosophy is driving a second generation of Rosenbergs, Marvin’s sons, Barry and David, who formed R2 Partners, a commercial and real estate development company in 2019.
“One of the things we talk about is how our father has empowered us to the power of 2,” Barry says. “We want to go forward in our own way, but carry on the legacy and reputation that Dad and Neil created with Towne Properties. That translates to having a positive impact on the area with each project and creating long-term value.
It also means capitalizing on each other’s complementary skills, another lesson learned from growing up and watching how Neil, Marvin and Lambert managed things at Towne Properties.
“Dad was more involved in financial design of the projects, and Neil was more involved in the design layout, architecture and operations. Lambert handled the contracting and building,” Barry says.
At R2 Partners, David and Barry recognized early how their complementary skills could work together.
“I am more involved in the design and marketing of projects and my brother handles the financial design of each project,” Barry says.
“When we look at the Hoge project, we want to create this tight-knit community that fits in within the larger Columbia-Tusculum neighborhood, which is exactly what my Dad and Neil did in Mt. Adams,” Barry says. “The other thing, that we’ve tried to do at Hoge that they did is to create something that will be here long-term, and when you begin to think that way, you begin to think about all the little details within the project and that sets us apart from everyone else.”
Making a home
At Hoge, many of those details focus on residents’ health and well-being, a priority during every step of the process, beginning with the design and flow of space, both in the common areas and in each unit. Special attention was given to sound abatement, air quality, and a water purification system in the kitchens.
Just as Towne Properties often brought in national experts to consult on a particular aspect of a project, Hoge designers worked with Bill Browning, the country’s foremost proponent of biophilic design, recreating the positive and calming effects people experience when connecting with nature. They did this by choosing materials and surfaces throughout the building and in the outdoor courtyard that replicate the natural world.
Attention to detail also meant choosing top-of-the line amenities, such as Bosch appliances in every unit and luxury touches such as Rookwood-tiled showers and backsplashes and heated bathroom floors in some units.
It all adds up to what the sons have learned from watching their father do business and comes down to a pretty straightforward philosophy.
“If you’re going to do it, do it right or don’t do it,” says Barry.