10:00 – 10:40

Great Hall

Art & Activism: Fostering Community Engagement
Black Arts Speaks Collective: Annie Ruth, Visual Artist/Arts Educator & Community Advocate – Eye of the Artists Foundation • Toilynn O’Neal Turner, Founding Director, Robert O’Neal Multicultural Arts Center • Cedric Michael Cox, Visual Artist
By exploring the transformative potential of art within neighborhoods, the panel addresses the vital elements of equity, opportunity, and participation. Sustainable art projects serve as catalysts for inclusive civic engagement. These projects contribute to equitable opportunities by fostering dialogue, promoting education, and creating access points to artistic expression. Through the lens of art and activism, the discussion aligns with the imperative of creating just and fair inclusion, allowing communities to participate, prosper, and realize their full potential. This panel sheds light on how art can play a crucial role in addressing and mitigating broader societal inequalities, contributing to the comprehensive efforts for neighborhood revitalization and growth.

400 A/B

Advocacy and Activism in the Construction Industry
Dusty Bryant, Program Manager, Building Futures, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio
This workshop will highlight the ways in which community organizations (ULGSO), city, county, state and federal agencies are working to promote social justice within the construction industry. 

417

Collaborative Violence Reduction on Main Street
Assistant City Manager Virginia Tallent, City of Cincinnati • Captain Matthew Hammer, Cincinnati Police Department •  community partners
Stemming from the important and successful work of the Smale Park Working Group, the City of Cincinnati expanded this collaborative method of problem-solving to Main Street OTR. This session will feature discussions on how the City Manager’s Office, CPD, and community partners have made important and significant strides in supporting a safer Main Street. 

427

Understanding the Power of Your Money Story
Domonique Broomfield, Regional Program Manager, Urban League Financial Empowerment Center
This objective of this workshop is to empower individuals by uncovering and reshaping their personal money stories, fostering a deeper understanding of their financial behaviors, and aligning this insight with actionable steps towards financial literacy and empowerment.

400 C

Reimagining Queensgate for an Equitable Tricentennial
Brian Boland, Principal & Founder, Bridge Forward Cincinnati • Meeka Owens, Councilmember, Chair, Climate, Environment & Infrastructure Committee, City of Cincinnati •  Steve Kenat, Principal & Director of Community Development, SHP
Queensgate, originally part of the West End, was originally seamless with downtown Cincinnati as a dense mixed-use residential/industrial neighborhood much like OTR. Urban Renewal displaced over 25,000 Black residents and businesses. Speakers will present foundational information regarding the historical context and share how a coalition was built, reframing this once-in-a-century opportunity infrastructure investment in the Brent Spence Bridge. Economic modeling, research and precedents will be used to illustrate the power of collaborating with visionary public officials and neighborhood stakeholders

10:55 – 11:35

Great Hall

Neighborhood Revitalization and Gentrification: Is There a Difference?
Derrick Rogers, Manager, Community Partnering Center, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio
This session will look at problem solving through the lens of investors and compare it through the lens of the individuals impacted by gentrification.  We will also examine Cincinnati communities impacted by neighborhood revitalization and gentrification

400 A/B

The Challenges of Financing Affordable Housing and How the Affordable Housing Leverage Fund Helps
Luke Blocher, General Counsel/Chief Strategy Officer, Community Development Fund
Financing affordable housing projects is a complex, time-consuming, and expensive endeavor and only a handful of specialized developers are set up to work in the industry. In this session, we’ll look at what makes it so difficult to finance affordable housing and then discuss the newly-created Affordable Housing Leverage Fund. You’ll learn what it is and how it is helping to bring more affordable units to the market more quickly.

417

What Do We Do with Mama’s House?
Darrick Dansby, Dansby Development, Realtor/Developer Coldwell Banker • Damon DiBari, Snr Vice President, Guaranteed Rate Affinity; • Tyran Stallings. Developer, Construction, RWB Construction • Angie Jenkins, Homeowner & Investor
We’re here to talk about something close to many of our hearts: homeownership, equity, and the journey African-Americans have taken to own property. We want to share stories, insights, and practical tips to help families make the most of their homes, especially those that have been passed down through generations. From understanding the true value of your property to exploring creative options like building extra living spaces or renting out parts of the house, we’ve got you covered. Let’s have a real conversation about honoring our matriarchs’ legacies while securing our financial futures.

427

Black Women’s Economic Mobility Project:  What is the Data Showing?
Dr Travis Speice, Applied Research Director, the Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation
This session will prevent research from the Women’s Fund’s Black Women’s Economic Mobility Project.  We will discuss gender and racial pay gaps and occupational segregation and offer solutions for closing those gaps.

400 C

Supporting Youth on Government Square 
Iris Roley, Consultant, City of Cincinnati • Cincinnati Police Department • and youth-focused community partners
City consultant Iris Roley and CPD Central Business Section Captain Hennie will discuss ongoing efforts to connect with youth on Fountain/Government Square to promote safety. The session will include a call to action for volunteers willing to help meet youth where they are and connect them with resources provided by City partners. 

11:50 – 12:30

Great Hall

Balance: The City Budget Game Show
Dr. Andrew M. Dudas, Budget Director, City of Cincinnati – Office of Budget & Evaluation •  Brian N. Gay, Division Manager, City of Cincinnati – Office of Budget & Evaluation • Hannah Ryland, Management Analyst, City of Cincinnati – Office of Budget & Evaluation
Inspired by the engaging format of a game show, this award-winning program will involve contestants from the audience in a series of games intended to entertain while educating the audience on various attributes of the City of Cincinnati’s Budget. Games will touch on subjects like budget composition and the costs associated with offering and supporting critical City services such as public safety, health services, parks, recreational spaces, and transportation infrastructure. Balance: The City Budget Game Show returns to the Neighborhood Summit to put the FUN in funding

400 A/B

Local Banking that Fits the Needs of all the Members of our Communities          
Robie Suggs, President & CEO Warsaw Federal • Kenneth L Webb, VP Senior Regional CRA Community Development Officer, Republic Bank •  D.J. Valentine, VP Community Lending Mortgage Manager, Huntington Bank •  Robyn Judge, Snr VP, Community Impact Territory Manager, Fifth Third Bank
We know that most people working and living in the communities/neighborhoods think of us in terms of loans or grants for neighborhood development, but in terms of equity there is so much more that is happening.   Join us to hear about how we are making a difference in our communities with support for LMI, minorities, marginalized, and other historically disadvantaged, unbanked and underbanked populations to have access and opportunities to improve their lives and build wealth. 

417

Cultural Humility is Powerful: How to Use it So We All Win
Danyetta Najoli, Najoli Learning Group
Cultural humility is an emerging concept that is gaining traction in the workplace, communities, and even within families.  However, it is unclear to most people what cultural humility means and how it can be useful.  During this session, participants will understand cultural humility, how it originated, what it is not, and how it can benefit their important interactions within the workplace, community, and the family.  We will also show the research on how it has been successfully utilized and participants will have the opportunity to practice within a learning environment.

427

Digital Footprint Makeover: Level Up Your LinkedIn
T. Renáe Banks, Senior Training Manager; Urban League Greater Southwestern Ohio
In this engaging workshop led by T. Renáe Banks, participants will discover the importance of cultivating a strong digital footprint through effective personal branding on LinkedIn. Gain insights into crafting a professional online presence, optimizing your LinkedIn profile, and leveraging social media for career advancement. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to stand out in the digital age and propel your professional journey forward!

400 C

Energy Equity for Economic Stability & Health
Rob McCracken (Energy Manager), Molly Robertshaw (Sustainability Manager), Rachel Bickett (Energy Equity Program Coordinator), Peri Ledwell (AmeriCorps VISTA Fellow) and Nikki Vandivort (FUSE Executive Fellow, Clean Energy), Office of Environment and Sustainability
We will discuss how our programs have been focused on delivering energy efficiency savings (WarmUp) and electrification (Electrify Cincy) to low income and disadvantaged communities, thereby addressing energy poverty and indoor air quality, as well as the equity pillar of the Green Cincinnati Plan, and future program expansions focused on providing additional funding to expand and strengthen these programs with the addition of solar to these communities through grants, very  low cost loans, and financial mechanisms such as the Green Bank.

2:00 – 2:45

Great Hall

Connected Communities: Reforming Zoning to Support Public Transit, Grow Our Business Districts, and Build More Housing.
Mayor Aftab Pureval, City of Cincinnati • Councilmember Reggie Harris, City of Cincinnati •  Councilmember Jeff Cramerding, City of Cincinnati
The session will focus on the goal of the policy which seeks to correct past decisions and regulations that have created inequities and segregation in our communities and fundamentally scarred the urban fabric of Cincinnati. Connected Communities seeks to address some of the City of Cincinnati’s highest priorities through innovative zoning reform with the goals of increasing housing production to support our Neighborhood Business Districts, stabilize housing affordability, and encourage better transportation options City-wide, in a way that prioritizes sustainability and economic equity.

400 A/B

Neighborhood Food Projects: A Case Study from Northside
Florence Rothenberg, Heart of Northside •  Becky Richey, Northside Farmers Market  •  Alex Heppner, Co-owner of Lierer’s Market
This panel will orient neighborhood leaders passionate about food sovereignty, health equity, and nutritional security, to resources and key information they need to launch their neighborhood food project successfully. Whether it’s a farmers market, a grocery store, an integrative health and wellness hub, or other kind of food access point, there are other experts in our region who have tried it, and their lessons are hard-won, so don’t let them go to waste! Come join a few fellow leaders from the Northside neighborhood who have lessons and stories to share, so you can save time and energy by making connections to the support organizations, peers, and other resources you need to get healthy food to your community.

417

Creating Career Pathways
Human Resources Department, City of Cincinnati
Introduced in August 2022 by City Manager Sheryl M.M. Long and Mayor Aftab Pureval, the City’s Career Pathways Initiative is aimed to help you shape your future with the City of Cincinnati. This informative session led by the City’s Human Resources Department will share highlights of our efforts to connect Cincinnatians with jobs, especially in public service. 

400 C

Addressing Lead in Historically Underserved Neighborhoods
Jeff Swertfeger, GCWW Water Quality Superintendent; Kevin Kappers, GCWW Lead Team Manager • Dr Christopher Auffrey, Professor of Planning at UC DAAP • Max Linder, student MCP, School of Planning, UC
Since 2016, GCWW has had a nationally recognized program for removing privately-owned lead water lines from homes. As the program evolved, we realized more must be done to ensure removal is done on properties in disenfranchised areas. Working with UC’s School of Planning, GCWW developed a computer model that will help us decide where to prioritize the replacement of lead service lines in an equitable manner. Known as the “equity tool,” the model utilizes data from multiple sources to identify risk factors for homes and businesses and develop a consistent scoring matrix to determine where the need is greatest on a block-by-block basis. Among the factors considered are elevated levels of lead in blood, presence of childcare facilities, housing age, access to healthy food, poverty levels, and lack of health insurance. GCWW will begin using this model soon to help guide decisions.

2:55 – 3:35

Great Hall

Common Ground: Co-Creating Vibrant Spaces for All
Kevin Wright, Principal and Co-founder, Yard & Company • Joseph Nava, Esq, President, Carthage Civic League, Attorney-at-law, Nava Law LLC • Joseph Malek, Development Manager, Dept of Community and Economic Development, City of Cincinnati •  Alexus Wimbish, HomeBase Cincinnati
Explore the transformative journey of community empowerment in the Carthage Neighborhood. Uncover the site design principles, brand identity, and implementation schedule of a mixed-use gathering space born from diverse and inclusive engagement. Gain insights into replicable models for citizen-led development, inspiring action in your own communities

400 A/B

Everybody Wants a Business District but… What Does that Look Like for Your Neighborhood?
Kathleen Norris – Managing Principal of Urban Fast Forward
Neighborhood Business Districts help define the unique character of a neighborhood. They are critically important to the visual impact of the neighborhood and to the maintenance and revitalization of the neighborhood. They provide a place for people to gather and form community. Everyone wants one because of these benefits, but not every neighborhood has one. How does a neighborhood start forming a business district and find the funding and community support to maintain the business(es)? Urban Fast Forward has a history of helping communities answer these questions.

417

Next-Level Living: ADUs and the Future of Urban Development.
Jeff Rosa and Heather Kopf, Realtor Alliance of Greater Cincinnati
The City now permits Accessory Dwelling Units. Learn how they can help with additional housing, provide extra income, and allow seniors to age in place. We’ll review the basics and share how other communities leverage this program.

427

Developing the 52: The Importance of Increasing Economic Development in all of Cincinnati’s Neighborhoods
Robert Sanders, Sanders Development Group • Kai Lewers, Principal + Founder  •  Kaiker Development • Michael Golden, Penrose
CANCELED

3:50 – 4:30

Great Hall

Funding for Grassroots Organizations
Deanna White, Director of Human Services, City of Cincinnati • Keep Cincinnati Beautiful • Greater Cincinnati Foundation
The City of Cincinnati is proud to support local, grassroots organizations through a variety of funding sources. This panel discussion with our funding partners will share information about the grant and leveraged funding opportunities and include tips for successful applications and important upcoming dates to know.

400 A/B

Quality Housing for All Equals Equitable Outcomes: An Overview of New Ordinances for Property Owners
Art Dahlberg, Director & Eileen Turner, Supervising Management Analyst, Buildings & Inspections • Jon Vogt, City Law Department, Quality of Life Division
The City’s Department of Buildings and Inspections (B&I) will share updates to Ordinances establishing new programs which include pertinent information for property owners.  The new programs are Essential Services, Landlord Responsibility, and Residential Rental Inspection (RRI) Expansion.  These programs and updates are tenant centric and focus on community-based approaches to code compliance, where code enforcement plays a more intentional role in supporting community needs and property owners who want to comply.  Experts from B&I and the City’s Law Department Quality of Life Division will be on hand to answer questions.

417

Black Homeownership at Risk without Bold Action
Emma Shirey-McNamara, Blume Community Partners • Elisabeth Risch, Housing Opportunities Made Equal • Hope Wilson Working in Neighborhoods  • Robie Suggs, Warsaw Federal
Black homeownership in the Cincinnati Metro Area is around 34%, while white homeownership is approximately 74% — a nearly 40% gap. This gap is one of the worst in the country and is getting worse over time. This session will focus on tracking progress on the six recommendations proposed in the Roadmap for Increasing Black Homeownership and provide immediate concrete recommendations for increasing and preserving Black homeownership in Cincinnati and Hamilton County. The session will also include a look at recently completed research done by HOME, in partnership with Blume Community Partners, analyzing home mortgage lending trends in our region. The session will include a panel discussion with Working in Neighborhoods, HOME, and Warsaw Federal to discuss the work they are doing to advance Black homeownership in the City.

427

Increasing Access through Engagement Simulation
Jeremiyah Hairston, Eunique Avery, Community Engagement Specialists, City Planning and Engagement
In this interactive workshop, participants will dive into real-world scenarios through a hands-on activity and learn more about the City of Cincinnati’s community engagement policy and resource guide.