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Tag: Javari Burnett

  • Black-led media platform uplifts Cincinnati community

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    CINCINNATI — Black History Month is about honoring the past, but for one Cincinnati entrepreneur, it’s also about investing in the future.

    What You Need To Know

    • Crystal Kendrick founded The Voice of Black Cincinnati in 2016 to create a central resource hub for the Black community

    • The platform lists more than 700 Black-owned businesses and reaches nearly 2 million page views

    • Despite financial challenges, Kendrick says the free resource will continue focusing on improving quality of life in Cincinnati

    When Crystal Kendrick looked at the growing landscape of the Queen City nearly a decade ago, she saw opportunity but also a gap. “We did not have a database where people of color, and particularly people of African descent, could find themselves,” Kendrick said.

    In 2016, she launched The Voice of Black Cincinnati, a digital platform designed to serve as a central hub for culture, connection and community. The site curates events, scholarship opportunities, job listings and historical content tracing Black life in Cincinnati back to 1788.

    What began as a resource for African Americans has evolved into a widely used public platform. “In doing so, we have created a central hub today where not just African-Americans, but people of any race, creed or color can come to our website and find incredible resources,” Kendrick said.

    One of its most impactful features is a business directory aimed at strengthening economic ties within the community. The database now lists more than 700 Black-owned businesses. 

    “Our business profiles also connect to the company’s Google profiles and Facebook profile,” Kendrick said. “So it really helps the consumer make a good decision about a company just by looking at them on our platform.”

    Kendrick said the platform will remain free to users, though sustaining it presents financial challenges in a competitive advertising market.

    “The cost of producing and managing a website with nearly 2 million page views, social media platforms with nearly 100,000 followers, email newsletters with 50,000 subscribers and 6,000 text subscribers — it’s costly,” she said.

    Still, she believes the demand underscores its value. “Our sole purpose is to improve the quality of life for our followers,” Kendrick said. “We hope to do that and we will continue to do that as long as we are able.”

    Kendrick’s efforts have also been recognized by Visit Cincy, which awarded her the Wendell P. Dabney Award for helping diversify the region’s hospitality industry.

    As Cincinnati continues to grow as a Midwest destination to eat, work and play, Kendrick says her mission remains focused: ensuring the Black community is not only remembered but represented, connected and empowered. 

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    Javari Burnett

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  • Artisan Fest 513 brings handcrafted goods and holiday shoppers together

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    CINCINNATI — With Christmas just days away, shoppers looking for last-minute gifts had a chance this weekend to support local entrepreneurs at Artisan Fest 513 in downtown Cincinnati.

    What You Need To Know

    • Shoppers looking for last-minute gifts had a chance this weekend to support local entrepreneurs at Artisan Fest 513 in downtown Cincinnati

    • The market featured a wide range of handcrafted goods, including candles, knitwear and wellness products

    • Vee’s Herbal Exchange is a wellness brand specializing in handcrafted herbal goods such as soaps and body butters

    Nearly a dozen vendors set up shop in Washington Park as part of the Artisan Market’s recurring pop-up series, which aims to give small businesses face-to-face access to customers while encouraging residents to shop locally.

    The market featured a wide range of handcrafted goods, including candles, knitwear and wellness products, offering shoppers items not typically found in big-box stores.

    Among the vendors was Cori Venning, founder and CEO of Vee’s Herbal Exchange, a wellness brand specializing in handcrafted herbal goods such as soaps and body butters. Some of the products are even safe for consumption.

    Venning launched the business earlier this year and does not yet operate a brick-and-mortar storefront. She said events like Artisan Fest 513 play a critical role in building brand awareness and connecting with potential customers.

    “Being able to meet people face to face and tell the story behind my products really helps customers connect with what I’m doing,” Venning said. 

    The event is part of the Artisan Market’s broader #BuyLocal513 campaign, which organizers say has generated more than $1 million in local economic impact to date.

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    Javari Burnett

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  • Local shops hoping Small Business Saturday sparks big impact in Madeira

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    CINCINNATI — American shoppers spent nearly $22 billion last year on Small Business Saturday, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. This year, the Ohio city of Madeira is encouraging residents to keep their dollars local with a holiday campaign designed to spark a multiplier effect for the local economy.

    What You Need To Know

    • The city of Madeira is encouraging residents to keep their dollar local this holiday season, launching the ‘Million Dollar Mission’ campagin

    • The city mailed out $10 ‘Shop Madeira’ gift cards, hoping small incentives will lead to bigger spending

    • The Cottage Paperie and Gifts offers a variety of custom holiday items

    Walking into The Cottage Paperie and Gifts in downtown Madeira is like stepping into a winter wonderland. The shop offers custom holiday items, giving customers a chance to check names off their gift lists without leaving town.

    “We’re very fortunate that practically every day we have customers walk in that say, ‘Oh, I’ve never been here before. I’m so excited to find you,’” said Lori Eddleman, owner of The Cottage Paperie and Gifts. “You can leave here with all of your holiday gifts wrapped beautifully.”

    Now in its fifth holiday season, Eddleman said the support of the community continues to grow year after year, proving that local love can truly be the gift that keeps giving.

    Downtown Madeira is also undergoing a multi-million dollar revitalization, and while construction has created some challenges, the Madeira Chamber of Commerce is using the season to remind shoppers the city is open for business.

    “With the project itself, we started with replacing a water line and then kind of moved to some side work, and now we’re working through a gas line project,” said David Peterson of the Madeira Chamber of Commerce. “Our job has just been trying to keep encouraging people that Madeira is as open as it can be, letting them know where they can park.”

    The Chamber’s “Million Dollar Mission” is bold but simple: encourage residents to spend at least $1 million at local businesses this holiday season. To help, the city mailed out $10 “Shop Madeira” gift cards, hoping small incentives will lead to bigger spending.

    “Encouraging them to spend at least $100 at our local businesses. Every dollar you spend locally really has a $2-$3 impact,” Peterson said, highlighting the campaign’s potential multiplier effect on the community.

    It’s support Eddleman hopes to see firsthand.

    “So it’s a lot of personal attention. I have a wonderful staff here to help you pick things out, to make suggestions, whatever it might be,” Eddleman said.

    For more details on local deals and ways to support Madeira businesses, click here.

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    Javari Burnett

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  • Annual Adopt-A-Family Program aids hundreds of local families, seniors

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    CINCINNATI, Ohio —  An annual holiday program that pairs local families and seniors with community sponsors is once again helping hundreds across Greater Cincinnati as the Salvation Army’s Adopt-A-Family initiative ramps up for the season.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Salvation Army of Greater Cincinnati’s Adopt-A-Family Program matches families and seniors referred for assistance with corporate or individual sponsors

    • The program received referrals for 400 families this year

    • De-Bra Kuempel is sponsoring 30 years for their second year with the program

    De-Bra Kuempel, the region’s largest technical, electrical and plumbing contractor, is sponsoring 30 seniors this year. The Cincinnati-based company, which employs between 1,200 and 1,300 workers and operates roughly 800 service trucks daily, is expanding its involvement after first participating in 2024.

    “When the ten people who originally started this last year came back and told everybody how the program worked and the smiles they saw on people’s faces, that is what became contagious,” said Kris Thorne, president and CEO of De-Bra Kuempel.

    The Adopt-A-Family Program matches families and seniors referred for assistance with corporate or individual sponsors. Last year, the Salvation Army distributed more than 18,000 toys and gifts. Thorne said many recipients request basic household needs, such as paper products and essential supplies.

    Major Martha Bone of the Salvation Army of Greater Cincinnati said the organization has secured sponsors for 315 of the 400 families seeking help this year, leaving the remainder on a waiting list.

    “We’ve lost some grants this year for some specific programs that we have concerns about,” Bone said. “But I’m believing, just like at Christmas, people will be flooding our doors to give back. I believe that the need will be taken care of.”

    Thorne said the Adopt-A-Family tradition is becoming a staple for the company. He encourages others to take part.

    “When you see the faces of the people you’re making an impact on, I can almost guarantee you’ll double the participation afterward,” he said.

    Applications for this year’s program have closed, but the Salvation Army is still accepting donations and volunteers.

    More information is available on its website.

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    Javari Burnett

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  • Cincinnati auto shops team up to support breast cancer patients

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    CINCINNATI — As colder weather rolls in, many drivers are scheduling seasonal tune-ups from tire replacements to brake checks. But this October, a local initiative is turning a routine car repair into a way to make a difference.

    What You Need To Know

    • The annual “Give The Girls a Brake” campaign brings auto repair shops across the Cincinnati area to raise money for women battling breast cancer

    • Throughout October, participating shops provide free brake pads with qualifying services and donate 10% of brake repair costs to the Karen Wellington Foundation

    • Amy Bishop was diagnosed with breast cancer last October after a routine mammogram

    The “Give the Girls a Brake” campaign brings together auto repair shops across the Cincinnati area to raise money for women battling breast cancer. Throughout the month, participating shops provide free brake pads with qualifying services and donate 10% of brake repair costs to the Karen Wellington Foundation.

    For breast cancer survivor Amy Bishop, that mission hits close to home.

    “I am a fitness instructor. I’m healthy, young, active, and had no previous issues with anything,” Bishop said. “This just came right out of the blue.”

    Bishop was diagnosed with breast cancer last October after a routine mammogram revealed the disease in its early stages. Following surgery and radiation, she is now cancer-free.

    “This happened to me a year ago, and I can’t believe it’s already been a year,” she said. “You can move through it too. You just have to grab somebody’s hand.”

    Those helping hands now include local auto shop owners like Dale Donovan, who has participated in the campaign since it began.

    “What we do is we offer brake jobs and give you the brake pads, then we donate 10% of that brake job to the Karen Wellington Foundation,” said Donovan, owner of Donovan’s Auto & Tire Center.

    Over the last four years, the campaign has raised more than $125,000 for the Karen Wellington Foundation.  “Maybe it’s a balloon ride, maybe it’s just a spa,” Donovan said. “What we’re trying to do is put fun back in their lives because their lives consist of going to the doctor every single day.”

    Bishop, a longtime customer of Ulmer’s Auto Care Center, said she’s grateful to see businesses driving awareness in such a meaningful way.

    “It just gives you another avenue to say, ‘All right, somebody else has been in my shoes,’” Bishop said. “You just feel a lot less alone.”

    Organizers expect to present a donation check to the Karen Wellington Foundation in early November.

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    Javari Burnett

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  • New exhibit highlights Cincinnati’s role in U.S. brewing history

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    CINCINNATI, Ohio — Cincinnati’s brewing roots are back on tap with a new pop-up exhibit that explores how immigrant labor and innovation helped turn the city into a 19th-century beer powerhouse.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Brewery District CURC launched a pop-up exhibit which taps into Cincinnati’s brewing roots 

    • It’s part of the nonprofit’s larger vision to establish the first-ever American Museum of Brewing 

    • Attendees were encouraged to fill out a short survey to help guide the museum’s planning process

    The exhibit, titled “Tapping into Tradition: How Immigrant Labor & Innovation Created a Brewing Boomtown,” was launched by the Brewery District Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (CURC). It’s part of the group’s larger vision to establish the first-ever American Museum of Brewing.

    “Cincinnati has a really robust brewing history, going back to the early 19th century,” said Aaron Deininger, executive director of the Brewery District CURC. “This exhibit focuses on the labor movement and immigration in the 19th century, and how those forces really developed the type of beer that was produced here.”

    The pop-up is an extension of the CURC’s year-round Heritage Brewing Trail, which offers guided tours of historic brewery sites and underground lagering cellars throughout the city. Deininger said Cincinnati may have the largest known collection of 19th-century underground lager cellars in the United States.

    Board member and longtime brewery district tour guide Lisa French said the goal is not only to celebrate Cincinnati’s past but to involve the city’s more than 70 active breweries in shaping its future.

    “We’re going to hopefully have a small batch system for them to do specialty brewing, where they can either teach people or explain how it goes,” French said. “That will give them visibility to their breweries and help keep that industry going.”

    The nonprofit expected the exhibit to draw more than 500 visitors. While admission was free, attendees were encouraged to fill out a short survey to help guide the museum’s planning process.

    “We’re in the process of raising funds for a feasibility study to look at the development of the museum,” Deininger said. “Where is the best place to put it, whether it’s this neighborhood or specific places within it.”

    From lager cellars to future-forward brewing education, organizers said the pop-up is just the first pour of what they hope becomes a permanent part of Cincinnati’s cultural identity.

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    Javari Burnett

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  • Park Theatre among 15 projects funded by Cincinnati’s revitalization grant

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    CINCINNATI, Ohio — From restoring historic buildings to creating safer, more welcoming spaces, Cincinnati is investing millions into revitalizing its neighborhood business districts.

    What You Need To Know

    • The City of Cincinnati recently awarded $1.8 million in grant funding through its Neighborhood Business District Improvement Program (NBDIP)

    • NEST received $275,000 to help stabilize the Park Theatre, a 112-year-old landmark on Hamilton Avenue in the city’s Northside neighborhood

    • NEST has plans to repair the building’s roof, preserve the building’s historic exterior, and conduct selective interior demolition to uncover original features

    The city recently awarded $1.8 million in grant funding through its Neighborhood Business District Improvement Program (NBDIP), a long-running initiative that supports community-led development projects. One recipient is NEST (Northsiders Engaged in Sustainable Transformation), a nonprofit focused on equitable development in the Northside neighborhood.

    NEST received $275,000 to help stabilize the Park Theatre, a 112-year-old landmark on Hamilton Avenue that’s served as a theater, bakery and even an appliance store.

    “This is a special building in our special neighborhood, and we really want to see it succeed,” said Rachel Hastings, executive director of NEST.

    The organization acquired the building in March through a combination of city funds and support from the HomeBase QuickStrike Fund. Now, with the NBDIP grant, they plan to repair the roof, preserve the building’s historic exterior, and conduct selective interior demolition to uncover original features.

    “There’s more historic character left in the building than what we can currently see,” Hastings said. “These funds will allow us to open up the walls and ceilings and see what’s still here.”

    The NBDIP has supported similar revitalization efforts for more than 30 years, but what makes it unique is its community-led scoring process. Projects are evaluated not only by city officials, but by representatives from other neighborhood business districts — ensuring the program reflects the priorities of Cincinnati residents.

    “It’s a very competitive process, and all of the applications are voted on by your peers,” Hastings added.

    Diana Vakharia, senior development officer with the city’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), said public-private collaboration is key, especially when it comes to maintaining aging infrastructure.

    “You have historic buildings and landmarks that the private market isn’t set up to maintain on its own,” Vakharia said. “In some cases, it takes public and private investment to make sure those structures are safe, stable and thriving.”

    The goal, Vakharia said, is to boost local economies while making neighborhoods more welcoming for residents, visitors and business owners alike.

    In Northside, that vision is already taking shape. Hastings and her team have held community input sessions to gather feedback on what the Park Theatre should become. Possibilities include a part-time music venue that complements existing cultural spaces in the neighborhood.

    “We want this to be something in partnership with other venues, supporting each other and not taking business away,” Hastings said.

    And for the first time, the NBDIP is piloting a new category of funding to help under-resourced neighborhoods plan future projects. It’s a move aimed at making revitalization efforts more equitable across the city.

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    Javari Burnett

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  • Walnut Hills ranks No. 1 in Ohio, among top 100 nationwide

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    CINCINNATI — For the second year in a row, Walnut Hills High School has been named the top public high school in Ohio by U.S. News & World Report, reinforcing its long-standing reputation for academic excellence.

    What You Need To Know

    • Walnut Hills High School has been named the top public high school in Ohio by U.S. News & World Report

    • The selective Cincinnati public school requires students to pass an entrance exam for admission

    • The report evaluated schools based on college readiness, graduation rates, state assessment performance, and other key metrics

    The selective Cincinnati public school, which requires students to pass an entrance exam for admission, draws students from across the city. Many students commute long distances for a chance to attend.

    “It’s really amazing to be in a place like this where I know that I am being prepared to reach those goals and follow my dreams,” said junior Satiana Hackworth, who balances sports, music and her role as a student ambassador.

    According to the rankings, Walnut Hills also placed No. 91 nationally out of nearly 18,000 high schools. The report evaluated schools based on college readiness, graduation rates, state assessment performance, and other key metrics.

    Walnut Hills performance breakdown:

    • Overall Score: 99.49 out of 100
    • Graduation Rate: 95% 
    • AP Participation: 91% 
    • Reading Proficiency: 97%

    “Our motto is ‘rise to the highest,’ and we walk it and talk it every single day,” said Principal John Chambers. “We’ve built a culture here that supports student success at every level.”

    Founded over 125 years ago, Walnut Hills offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, including 35 Advanced Placement (AP) courses. The school also boasts a robust extracurricular landscape with hundreds of clubs and a dedicated student success center, which provides academic interventions and support.

    Hackworth, who plans to study biomedical engineering or nursing in college, said the school’s high standards and strong support systems help students stay on track.

    “I honestly was not surprised [by the ranking] because I think that we are a very good school,” she said. “We’re very competitive and colleges know about us.”

    Social studies teacher Michael Cabral, now in his fifth year at Walnut Hills, said the school’s culture of excellence keeps both students and faculty motivated.

    “Seeing these kids grow, change and evolve is probably the most rewarding part of the job,” he said. “It’s why my colleagues and I keep coming back here every day.”

    Walnut Hills improved both its national ranking and overall performance score compared to last year.

    Following Walnut Hills in the state rankings are Bexley High School, Ottawa Hills, Solon and Rocky River. Several other southwest Ohio schools also made the top 10, including Wyoming, Indian Hill, Madeira, Oakwood and Mariemont.

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    Javari Burnett

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  • Honoring the Changemakers: Women’s Fund celebrates 30 years of equity work

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    CINCINNATI — For 30 years, the Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation has been working to dismantle systemic barriers, promote economic equity and uplift the voices of women and families across the region.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Greater Cincinnati Foundation’s Women’s Fund is celebrating its 30th anniversary

    • The Women’s Fund celebrated the milestone with an anniversary luncheon on Thursday

    • Four women, including radio host and advocate Sister Keli, were honored for their work

    On Thursday, Sept. 4, the organization will mark that milestone with its Legacy in Motion luncheon — a celebration of community impact, progress and the people driving it forward.

    Held at the Anderson Pavilion, the event will honor four women whose work has helped shape Greater Cincinnati:

    • Sister Kelli, a radio host and grassroots advocate known for her Hope Fest community event
    • Leslie B. McNeill, founder of the Women’s Fund
    • Barbara Turner, founder of BT RISE and a leader in financial equity
    • Mary Stagaman, a civic advocate for inclusion and regional collaboration

    Sister Kelli said she was truly moved by the news of her recognition. 

    “I did drop some tears because I felt it,” she said. “I knew others were seeing the good work.”

    She has spent nearly a decade helping connect underserved families to essential resources, all while navigating life in a wheelchair. She said it doesn’t limit her ability to serve.

    “I’m able to do whatever I set my mind to do,” she said. “Giving of myself without any expectation really is the greatest reward.”

    Founded in 1995, the Women’s Fund focuses on research, policy change and community investment to support women’s economic self-sufficiency. Executive Director Camilla Worrell said Thursday’s luncheon will celebrate the organization’s impact and ongoing mission.

    “There’s been a lot of work. There’s been resistance, there’s been downfalls. But we have a lot to celebrate,” Worrell said. “I want people to go away with a renewed sense of community and a little fire in their belly.”

    In addition to the luncheon, the Women’s Fund recently launched a Self-Sufficiency Simulator, an interactive tool that allows users to experience the financial challenges many women and families face.

    To date, the organization has raised more than $450,000 through community initiatives to further its mission.

    Sister Kelli said she hopes the recognition will inspire others and fuel her own continued work.

    “We need the Women’s Fund to continue and programs like that in order to keep us striving,” she said.

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  • Pilates With Purpose: Inside Cincinnati’s new Black-owned wellness studio

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    CINCINNATI, Ohio — As National Black Business Month celebrates its 21st year, one local entrepreneur is bringing new energy to Cincinnati’s wellness scene and helping reshape the face of Pilates.

    What You Need To Know

    • August marked National Black Business Month

    • The Pilates Table is a newly opened, Black-owned reformer pilates studio and the first of its kind in the city

    • An economic study found that Black-owned businesses in Southwest Ohio generate roughly $2.8 billion annually

    In Ohio, Black-owned businesses make up just over 13% of the state’s small business scene according to the SBA’s 2025 Small Business Profile. 

    Amber Goin is the owner of The Pilates Table, a newly opened, Black-owned reformer Pilates studio and the first of its kind in the city. For Goin, the decision to open the boutique studio was rooted in a desire for representation and inclusion.

    “I never really saw anybody that looked like me,” Goin said. “When I did, a lot of times they would kind of look at me like, ‘Oh, are you the instructor?’”

    The Pilates Table features six reformers and offers small-group instruction, allowing Goin to give clients individual attention while focusing on the foundational elements of Pilates, including breath work and core strength.

    “It’s a boutique-style studio. I’m actually able to go around and truly cater to people,” she said.

    Reformer Pilates is often seen as a high-end fitness offering, but Goin said her goal is to make the practice more accessible, especially to communities that have been historically underrepresented in wellness spaces.

    Her studio now joins the growing wave of Black-owned businesses fueling the region’s economy. Black-owned businesses in Southwest Ohio generate roughly $2.8 billion in annual economic impact, according to a joint study by the University of Cincinnati Economics Center and the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce.

    Eric Kearney, president of the chamber, said the growth is encouraging, but many Black entrepreneurs still face steep challenges.

    “There was a period of time where Black entrepreneurs were unable to receive the type of help that they needed,” Kearney said. “That’s changing, but access to capital is still a major hurdle.”

    According to the National Urban League, only 32% of Black-owned businesses are approved for financing, compared to 56% of white-owned businesses. Kearney said that’s why the chamber now offers more than 120 programs, including on-site business counselors.

    “They’ll walk you through that journey,” he said. “By that I mean they’ll help you get your paperwork together so that you can take advantage of, perhaps, a grant application or a loan application.”

    As The Pilates Table continues to gain traction, particularly through social media, Goin said she’s focused on building more than a business. She wants to create a space where every client feels seen.

    “I’ve gotten a lot of people that have come in and they just said, ‘Thank you. Thank you for opening up a space that you truly care about each client,’” she said.

    Resources for Black-Owned Businesses in Ohio:

    • Cincinnati Minority Business Assistance Center – Technical assistance, certifications, mentoring
    • Central Ohio African American Chamber of Commerce (Columbus) – Mentoring, capital access, Kiva loans
    • Urban League UBIZ (Cleveland) – Accelerators, revolving loans, business counseling
    • Dayton Minority Business Assistance Center – Loan packaging, bonding support, certifications

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