Issuu

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026

Terry Green Helping Youth Rise Above Their Circumstances

Inside:

What Learners Need From Educators in the Age of AI Nonprofit Survival Guide Columbus School For Girls: The Architects of Confidence

Leading. Serving. Inspiring. As someone who comes from a family of educators, I learned early that education has the power to change lives. At Capital University, I’m fortunate to work alongside colleagues who are deeply committed to helping students discover not only who they are, but who they have the potential to become. You see it in our small classes, our faculty mentors, our hands-on learning. Every student’s path here looks a little different, because it’s built around them. For nearly 200 years, Capital has empowered undergraduate and graduate students to turn curiosity into achievement. We’re not just preparing graduates for successful careers, we’re preparing them to lead lives of purpose and service.

Stephanie Sanders Vice President for Strategic Enrollment and Marketing

1 COLLEGE AND MAIN COLUMBUS, OH 43209 CAPITAL.EDU

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PAGE 8

What’s Up Inside: Featured Content:

18.

Columbus School For Girls: The Architects of Confidence

57.

What Learners Need From Educators in the Age of AI

51.

Non Profit Survival Guide

CONNECT WITH US ON INNSTAGRAM @MAHOGANYCOLUMBUS

10.

31.

Made For Medicine: Building healthier communities, one future physician at a time

We Salute Our 2026 Non-Profit Executives and Community Leaders

21.

46.

We Salute Our 2026 Educators

Lead The Way: Honoring Legacy and Leadership

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLIQUE PHOTOGRAPHY

Mahogany Media Group LLC publishes Six (6) Issues a Year, January/February March/ April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November/ December All contents of this magazine are copyrighted© 2026 Mahogany Media Group LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use without permission of any editorial or graphic content in any manner is strictly prohibited. Publisher assumes no responsibility whatsoever for return of unsolicited articles or materials. Our address is 1445 Goodale Blvd. Columbus, Ohio 43212. Periodical postage paid at Columbus, Ohio.

PAGE 10 ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER LETTER

Building Community, Building the Future

his issue of Mahogany Columbus is dedicated to the community leaders, educators, advocates, and visionaries who understand that building a stronger city requires more than individual success—it requires a commitment to one another.

In today’s economic climate, it can be easy to pursue opportunities based solely on the bottom line. But now, perhaps more than ever, our communities need people willing to invest their time, talent, resources, and influence into building something that extends beyond themselves. A thriving Columbus depends on people who recognize that our collective future is connected to the opportunities we create today. That is why I am especially excited to highlight Dr. Donja Thomas, an educator at Gahanna Lincoln High School and the creative director behind Diaspora: Truth from the Youth. Her work is an example of what it looks like to create opportunities for the next generation to be seen, heard, and developed. Diaspora is a youth-driven Central Ohio creative experience centered on Blackness, creativity, and community. The initiative invites high school students from across Central Ohio to showcase their talents while finding their voices through the arts. But its purpose reaches beyond the stage. The program creates opportunities for education, artistic development, career exposure, and personal growth—giving young creatives the confidence and resources to recognize their worth and imagine what is possible for their futures. That type of investment matters. When we give young people meaningful platforms to create, lead, and tell their own stories, we are not simply preparing them for the future; we are inviting them to help shape it. To everyone who continues to engage with and support Mahogany Columbus, thank you. Your passion for community action makes this platform possible. And to the educators, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, mentors, advocates, and everyday changemakers working tirelessly throughout our city: we see you, we appreciate you, and we celebrate the work you are doing. A stronger Columbus will not be built by any one person or organization. It will be built together.

tin

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PAGE 12

Left to Right: Darrin Joyner, Zalika Obayuwana, Kennedy Brown, Kamani Page, Kendall Bell, Dr. Laura Espy-Bell, Peyton Files, Seleste Burks, Yasmine Ray-Thompson, Selene Burks, Syona Gamble.

Helping Students See They Belong in Medicine If it is to be, it is up to me.

or too many young people, becoming a physician can feel like a dream reserved for someone else. Made for Medicine is changing that by helping students in Central Ohio see what is possible and giving them the tools, mentors, and support to make it happen. “When I look at the faces of these students in our program, I see so much opportunity, so much curiosity, and so much brilliance,” said Made for Medicine Founder Dr. Laura Espy-Bell. Growing up in Columbus, Dr. Espy-Bell dreamed of becoming a physician but rarely saw someone who looked like her in a white coat. Through

college and medical school, she envisioned a future where young people from every neighborhood could see medicine as a place where they belonged. Empowered by a transformational experience in the Physicians Leadership Academy and supported by her colleagues in the Columbus Medical Association, Dr. Espy-Bell’s vision became a reality in 2021. Made for Medicine launched to expose youth to careers in medicine through hands-on experiences, mentorship, and pathways to a more diverse physician workforce. Sponsored by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners — Office of Economic Engagement

PAGE 13 and Community Development and the Columbus Medical Association Foundation, the program works with middle and high school students to build a solid foundation for their future career. “We tell them constantly that we see greatness in them, and we are fully committed to their futures,” said Dr. Espy-Bell. “We have the students from seventh grade until they graduate from high school, but we want to remain in their lives and support them through college, medical school, when they become a physician, and beyond.” Faculty physicians and medical student volunteers teach the curriculum and show students what their futures in medicine could look like through real-world learning experiences, leadership development, and mentorship. Most importantly, students can see themselves as future physicians. “We don’t just tell our students they can be doctors; we have given them the space for them to see it and believe they have exactly what it takes to be a doctor,” said Espy-Bell. Partnerships within the medical and greater Columbus community have been critical to the program’s success. At the Physicians CareConnection (PCC) Center for Optimal Health, the future physicians shadow real patient care, watching the entire journey of an appointment, from triage and vitals to diagnosis and treatment planning. PCC’s volunteer physicians range in specialty, giving the students a fuller picture of what medicine looks like day to day. “The real-life experience is just as valuable as the connections they’re making,” said Program Director Ciara Stevens. “The faculty and other physicians are investing in our students to support their growth and help them see just how much they can achieve.”

165

Dr. Laura Espy-Bell, Founder, Made for Medicine DR. LAURA ESPY-BELL

“We see greatness in them, and we are fully committed to their futures.”

students have participated in Made for Medicine’s core programming — with thousands more reached through outreach.

NEXT SPRING

The program’s very first group of seniors will graduate from high school. Made for Medicine faculty and volunteer medical students

PAGE 14 MEET TWO OF THE SENIORS

Future Physicians in the Making

Kennedy Brown

Darrin Joyner

• Senior at Pickerington North High School

• Senior at New Albany High School

• Wants to be a Cardiothoracic Surgeon

• Wants to be an Emergency Medicine Physician

• Plans to major in Microbiology with a minor in Public Health at Ohio State University or Baylor University

• Plans to major in Psychology or Public Health at Morehouse College

PAGE 15

Students taking part in a Stop the Bleed training at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine

Hands-on training for Phase 2 (8th grade) students at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital

THE MOTTO

“If it is to be, it is up to me.” Today, 165 students have participated in Made for Medicine’s core programming, and thousands more have been reached during outreach events at schools, libraries, and community organizations. Next Spring, the very first group of seniors will graduate from high school. “I am forever thankful and grateful for this program, and for all the hard work and commitment it has made to show our children what’s possible,” said Adrienne Ray, parent of senior Yasmine Ray-Thompson. As seniors move on to college and, for many, toward medical school, Made for Medicine and the Columbus community remain committed to

PROGRAM PARTNERS

supporting them and future cohorts. Together, they are building healthier communities, one future physician at a time. “We tell them, ‘If it is to be, it’s up to me,’ because we want them to understand that their dreams are possible because they can make them happen,” said Espy-Bell. “We want them to know that they belong in those spaces, and we’re going to help them get there.” Learn more about Made for Medicine at madeformedicine.org.

PAGE 16 COMMUNITY BANKING

Banking that puts Columbus first Summer is in full swing! You may be busy with going to the park with your kids or relaxing with friends at a BBQ. Don’t let financial stress get in the way of your summer fun with the help of the First Financial Bank team!

Meet your local neighbor and long-time Columbus resident, Linda Fitzgerald. With almost 40 years of banking experience, including 10 years as a Financial Wellness Specialist with First Financial. Since opening in 2020, Linda and the Parsons banking center team have been an integral part of bringing accessible banking to the community. Whether you have personal, business or dual needs, First Financial offers a comprehensive suite of products to clients. From financial education, everyday checking, low down payment mortgages, microbusiness loans, flexible commercial financing and more – First Financial has you covered! “As a Financial Wellness Specialist, I work with individuals Linda Fitzgerald, Financial Wellness Specialist, First Financial Bank

and families to build stronger financial habits, manage debt, increase savings, and achieve long term goals,” explains Linda. “Through education and financial workshops, I empower individuals to make informed decisions that improve their financial well-being and quality of life.” The Parsons team offers an environment without judgement and values having conversations to build meaningful relationships. By understanding each client’s situation they can offer tailored products to help clients reach a place of financial stability. “My motto is ‘Your Past Does Not Define Your Future.’ This fuels my passion for helping people from all backgrounds with their personal finances,” shares Linda. “Financial wellness is more than just having money in the bank. It’s managing daily financial responsibilities, preparing for MEET LINDA AND THE PARSONS TEAM

1865 Parsons Ave · bankatfirst.com

unexpected expenses, and working towards future goals with confidence and dignity.” Not only is the First Financial Parsons banking center team accessible to clients, but they also have access to a local team of specialists and leaders who work to ensure clients’ needs are met in a timely and efficient way. “Clients’ situations are ever-evolving. It’s important our team can serve as that trusted resource throughout their financial journey,” says Linda. “I truly love my job. I’m often representing the bank at community events with my husband, daughters and glam babies by my side. It’s rewarding knowing I’m helping other families achieve their dreams and I love being able to share with them the importance of giving back to the community we live and work in.”

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PAGE 18

T H E M A S T E R S P R E PA R AT O R Y A C A D E M Y

Preps to Change Lives Dr. Bob Murphy, Clark Kellogg and James Ragland are building a college-prep boarding school where success for African-American boys is the rule, not the exception. PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLIQUE PHOTOGRAPHY

PAGE 19

t’s a masterwork—a magnum opus. Dr. Bob Murphy first dreamed of The Masters Preparatory Academy (MPA) more than a decade ago, while completing his doctorate. An educator for nearly 50 years, Dr. Murphy noticed a need for a school that would lift up AfricanAmerican boys and prepare them for a future where success wasn’t the exception—it was the rule. So, Dr. Murphy decided to found MPA to solve those needs. He is joined by Clark Kellogg, Launch Campaign Chairman, and Development Director James Ragland. The school they envision is one that changes lives—an all-male boarding school for African-American boys in grades 7-12 providing a college prep, real world, and a rigorous curriculum sensitive to emotional and cultural needs; designed to empower students with the knowledge, skills and academic ability to succeed no matter their path in life. “The need for developing young Black boys is great. Societal

systems and forces often lead to underserving and underdeveloping this population,” Kellogg explained. “Developing young men of character, competence, confidence, leadership and service will benefit them, their families, and our community.” The school’s mission is rooted in the idea of Ubuntu—an African proverb meaning, “I am because we are.” It serves as a reminder that education is not just about individual achievement, but also about collective growth, responsibility, and community. Murphy trialed the idea over the course of six years with the Ubuntu Leadership Institute—a two-week intensive summer residential program followed by a hybrid year-long program during the school year. Kellogg joined the team after participating in the Institute. “Being a good steward of the various gifts I’ve received by God’s grace is important to me,” he shared. “Joining others in doing good work, and in this

case, transformative work is an expression of that stewardship through serving others.” While The MPA is still under development—the group is targeting a Fall 2027 opening date—Dr. Murphy, Clark, and Ragland dream of its future impact. “As a life-long educator, I am compelled to create an environment that empowers our young men to become all that God has destined them to be,” he said. “We are not just opening a school; we are building a movement that proves what is possible when Black boys are educated in an environment that honors who they are, challenges them to grow, and equips them to thrive.” UBUNTU

“I am because we are.” www.themastersprep.org

PAGE 20

COLUMBUS SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

The Architects of Confidence For more than 125 years, Columbus School for Girls has designed every day around how girls learn best—so they graduate believing there is nothing they cannot do.

very day at Columbus School for Girls, you will see young women growing in confidence. This growth is reflective of the School’s distinctive approach to instilling the belief in her own self-worth, her capabilities and capacity to lead, for every girl. Research shows that girls learn and thrive best in environments specifically designed for them and so each day, we thoughtfully engineer an academic, social and co-curricular experience that taps into the best of what girls can be. The research serves as the blueprint for our approach: create moments of deep connection, develop opportunities for meaningful collaboration, inspire creativity and make learning authentic and meaningful. With blueprint in hand, our leaders serve as architects, expertly and artfully designing experiences for girls, rooted in what we know girls want and need from school: to feel a profound sense of mattering and belonging; to experience voice and choice; to develop their belief in their own capacity to influence their environment and community, and to know that they have support as they grow. This is when we see the earliest glimmers of confidence and it begins as early as age three. “Our girls’ confidence shines when they can come to school as their most authentic selves and know they’ll be embraced,” said Pam Hartshorne, Assistant Head of School.

As they matriculate through the School, girls engage in a plethora of learning and leading experiences that build their confidence and the power of their voice. They lead classroom discussions, captain athletic teams, perform on stage, ask the difficult questions, and pursue the ideas that matter most to them. At CSG, girls are challenging themselves to push beyond what is comfortable—sitting firmly in their capacity to take risks, experiencing both success and failure, as tools for their ultimate growth. “Confidence grows with every challenge a girl is willing to embrace,” said Dr. Meghan Hattaway, Director of Middle School. “As she discovers what she’s capable of, she begins to believe in what’s possible.” That belief in the possible is a fundamental element of our more than 125-year proven approach to the education of girls and young women. At CSG, we believe in the limitless potential of every girl, so we challenge, support, and inspire them every day,

“We want every girl to know she is valued, she is capable, and she belongs.” ANGIE MCLARTY ’94, DIRECTOR, PROGRAM FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

PAGE 21 because when girls are educated with purpose, they come to know their power. In addition to excellent academics, girls at CSG benefit from distinctive programs through the Institute for Innovation and Leadership, during which they study and define their own leadership, practice it by engaging with women leaders across Central Ohio, and refine their understanding of leadership through continued learning and in ways that are authentic to them. “We want the girls to learn that the best leaders aren’t the ones who already know everything,” said Betsy Gugle, Director of Lower School. “They’re the ones who are willing to learn alongside others.” For girls, learning in community and through collaboration is essential to their thriving. Every day at CSG, we center girls and dedicate time to building community because we know that when girls thrive here, they go on to transform the world. “We want every girl to know she is valued, she is capable, and she belongs,” said Angie McLarty, Class of 1994, Director of the Program for Young Children. Here, girls learn to celebrate their successes and to honor the successes of others. They develop an

appreciation for the gifts and talents of other women and recognize that they are enriched by the strength of others. This serves them well as they go out into the world as leaders who remember to leave the doors that they’ve opened open for others and to build others as they rise. There is an art to educating girls—one that is rooted in deep listening and responding to the ever-evolving hopes, dreams and needs of the young women we serve. This art, when woven with the blueprint, cultivates an environment that is conducive to the building of confident leaders who graduate with a boldness that inspires them to shape the world. “At CSG, being a girl is a position of honor and confidence is built intentionally, day by day, so that when our girls graduate, they believe that there is nothing they cannot do; the only limitation is what they place on themselves and here, we teach girls that they are limitless. When girls are known, challenged, and celebrated for exactly who they are, confidence becomes more than a characteristic. It becomes the foundation for lifelong leadership.” -Camille Seals

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PAGE 23

We Salute Our 2026 Educators

PAGE 24

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLIQUE PHOTOGRAPHY

PAGE 25 “They underestimated the wrong sisters.” It’s a line Aden Kifle can laugh about today, but behind it is the experience that helped shape the educator, leader, and advocate she would become. Aden’s journey into advocacy didn’t begin with a career plan. It began as a sister, sitting beside someone she loved, watching her fight to make sure her child was seen, understood, and given every opportunity he deserved. And once Aden saw how easily a family’s voice could be dismissed, she knew she could never unsee it. Her sister was a young Black mother navigating the special education system and determined to get her son the support he needed. Aden watched as assumptions were made about what her sister knew, how much she understood, and whether she would question the professionals in the room. She did. And so did Aden.

nurtured rather than extinguished and that the things that made him different became sources of confidence, not reasons to question himself. With nearly 20 years of experience in education and leadership, Aden has carried that same passion into her work. Today, she serves as the Director of Behavioral & Developmental Support for YMCA Head Start, where she has helped connect hundreds of children with developmental, behavioral, educational, and community services while helping families understand their rights and confidently advocate for their children, and themselves. Her work isn’t about speaking for families. It’s about making sure they know the power of their own voice. And her vision continues to grow. Alongside her sister, the same sister who helped inspire this journey, Aden is expanding that passion into behavioral health services for youth throughout

Aden Kifle

Director of Behavioral & Developmental Support, YMCA Head Start Together, they challenged IEP goals that didn’t reflect her nephew’s needs, asked questions, learned the language, understood their rights, and advocated for appropriate services. The experience taught Aden a lesson that would shape her life’s work: families should never feel powerless simply because they don’t know the system. Then Aden became a mother, and advocacy became even more personal. Raising a Black son with enough energy to power a small city showed her how quickly a child’s greatest qualities can be misunderstood. Energy becomes “disruptive.” Curiosity becomes “not following directions.” Confidence can be mistaken for defiance. Aden saw something different: potential. She became intentional about protecting that potential, making sure her son’s energy was

Columbus. Together, they hope to create spaces where young people are empowered, supported, and inspired to navigate challenges, recognize their strengths, and believe in what is possible for their futures. For Aden, education and behavioral health aren’t about “fixing” children. They’re about understanding them, advocating with them, and creating environments where they can thrive. Her mission remains simple: amplify voices too often unheard, equip families with knowledge, and help children recognize that what makes them different may also be exactly what makes them powerful. And if that means asking one more question alongside the youth and families she serves? She’ll gladly ask it.

PAGE 26

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLIQUE PHOTOGRAPHY

ong before becoming dean of the College of Health & Public Administration at Franklin University, Dr. Alyncia Bowen experienced its mission firsthand – as a 12-year-old student enrolled in a summer microcomputer programming class. Years later, she would return to Franklin – as a leader devoted to opening doors for others, striving to give every learner the kind of transformative experience that shaped her own path. Bowen’s path was not without its challenges. While studying biochemistry and physics, she encountered voices that questioned whether she belonged. Rather than give up, she channeled that adversity

PAGE 27 care. At St. Ann’s Hospital and Mount Carmel Health System, she deepened her expertise in strategy, operations, process improvement and compliance, earned her Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, and recovered several million dollars in underreimbursements. At Franklin, Dr. Bowen has built pathways that help learners advance their careers. The founder and current executive director of the Global Center for Healthcare Education, she worked to expand the university’s nursing programs to include master’s and doctoral-level programs. She also served as the dean of Doctoral Studies. During her tenure as dean of the Ross College of Business, she created specializations for the MBA program, thereby contributing

Dr. Alyncia Bowen Dean, Franklin University’s College of Health & Public Administration

into action. She earned a degree in sociology with an emphasis in medicine and designed an independent study examining diversity in healthcare. That resolve carried her through decades in healthcare leadership – a journey that was sparked at age 14, when her mother was diagnosed with a chronic lung disease. Observing her mother’s experiences, she fell in love with the art and science of healthcare: watching patients recover, seeing care teams work in unison, and witnessing the profound difference it made in people’s lives. As she stepped into leadership roles, she became equally passionate about ensuring that business decisions didn’t just drive results on paper – but also supported the delivery of high-quality, compassionate

to significant growth in enrollment. She reimagined the university’s Leadership Center and its Raymond E. Mason Jr. Leadership Symposium, reaching more than 6,000 participants. A servant transformational leader, Dr. Bowen’s approach is apparent in everything she does. Her work is a natural reflection of Franklin’s mission: to give adult learners and non-traditional students achievable pathways to degrees and continuing education. An author and co-author of nearly 40 articles, books and presentations, Dr. Bowen’s scholarship examines educational access, leadership and how race, gender, power and Black female leadership promotes fair and equitable practices.

PAGE 28

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLIQUE PHOTOGRAPHY

PAGE 29

loyd Akins joined Otterbein University as Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement in January 2025, bringing with him 40 years of experience in higher education, with nearly 32 of those years in philanthropy. Prior to his arrival at Otterbein, he served as vice president for advancement for the University of Toledo, where he worked with a team of more than 40 staff and led the foundation’s second largest fundraising year, bringing in $36 million for the university in FY23.

at Michigan State University, Floyd led a team that raised $232 million in FY 2021. Under his leadership as assistant vice chancellor for development for The University of Tennessee Foundation, the team increased the Corporate and Foundation Engagement (CFE) fundraising total by more than 200% over three years. He also worked as senior associate vice president for university development and vice president of The Ohio State University Foundation and held several positions at Grinnell College and the University of Iowa early in his career.

At Otterbein, Floyd is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement in alignment with

Floyd received his master’s degree from the University of Iowa’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications and his bachelor’s degree in communications

Floyd Akins

Vice President for Philanthropy, Otterbein University the strategic plan of the University. The division includes Philanthropy and Planned Giving, Philanthropy Services, Philanthropy and Engagement Communications, Alumni Engagement, University Events and Conferences, and The Point, a 61,000 square foot facility that includes learning labs, maker space, think tanks, networking facilities, event space and designated co-working areas and offices. Under Floyd’s leadership the Division enjoyed record success in Fiscal Year 2026, raising nearly $17 million. During his career, Floyd has been a part of several $1 billion plus campaigns. He has a record of success in leading and mentoring teams of both large and small universities to tangible results in fundraising and relationship-building. As associate vice president for advancement

from Eastern Illinois University. Outside of his passion for his family and work, Floyd enjoys music and was one of the original members and lead vocalist of the band Funkdaddies in Iowa City, opening for the Beach Boys at the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival and celebrated the band’s 20th anniversary in Iowa City in October 2023.  Floyd has since had the pleasure of singing with Harmony Project in Columbus and plans to pursue other singing opportunities in the near future.

PAGE 30

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLIQUE PHOTOGRAPHY

ong before Dr. Morakinyo A.O. Kuti became the 10th President of Central State University, he was a student walking the same campus as the young people he now leads.

A proud member of the Class of 1985, Kuti’s journey from student to president reflects more than four decades of connection to Ohio’s only public Historically Black College and University. On July 1, 2024, his journey at the place where his own path began reached a new milestone when he became Central State University’s 10th President. Kuti has devoted more than three decades of his career to Central State, serving the University in numerous leadership roles, including Vice President for Research and

PAGE 31 Central State a destination learning environment where academic excellence is connected to career readiness, research, leadership and real-world experiences. It is a mission rooted in his own experience as a Centralian and his understanding of what an HBCU education can make possible. Today, Kuti is leading his alma mater during a period of growth and renewed investment. His vision embraces Central State’s distinctive identity as an HBCU and 1890 Land-Grant institution while preparing its students to compete, lead and serve in an increasingly complex world. For Kuti, that work is also deeply personal. His family’s Central State story now spans generations. His son, Akintoye, graduated from the University in 2024.

Dr. Morakinyo A.O. Kuti

President, Central State University

Economic Development and Director of Land-Grant Programs. Throughout his career, he has combined an administrator’s pragmatism with a deep belief in the transformative power of education. His leadership helped dramatically expand Central State’s research enterprise and 1890 Land-Grant programs. Under his direction, external awards grew from $20.1 million to $50.5 million in three years, while investments in research facilities, broadband, workforce development and community outreach strengthened the University’s capacity to serve both students and communities. Yet for Kuti, the measure of Central State’s success ultimately comes back to its students. As President, he has focused on making

From student, to scholar, to administrator, to President, Kuti’s journey has come full circle. But he sees the presidency not as the culmination of his Central State story, but as an opportunity to ensure that thousands more students have the chance to write their own. For God. For Central. For State. Apply at centralstate.edu/apply

PAGE 32

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLIQUE PHOTOGRAPHY

PAGE 33

olanda Johnson still remembers what it felt like to struggle in school.

As a child, she watched her younger sister learn to read with ease while she searched for her own path. Her 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Schutz, saw beyond the struggle. Johnson wasn’t just a student who found reading difficult. She was a student who connected easily with her classmates, full of gifts a reading level would never capture. That memory still shapes Johnson’s classroom at The Wellington School. “I cannot effectively teach a child until I

something we are entitled to. It is built through kindness, respect, trust, and genuine care for others.” It’s a small moment. For Johnson, it’s also the whole job. “My greatest hope is that every student leaves my classroom with more confidence than when they entered,” she said. After nearly three decades in education, Johnson measures success differently. She talks about former students, who they have become, and the kind of adults, parents, neighbors, and community members they are today.

Yolanda Johnson

The Wellington School

have taken the time to understand how they learn,” said Johnson. That belief showed up recently during one of Johnson’s recess conversations with a student. He couldn’t understand why making friends was so hard. After all, he told her, he was one of the smartest and most athletic kids in the class. Rather than ending the conversation there, Johnson saw an opportunity to talk about empathy, humility, and what it means to make someone else feel valued. Over the following weeks, she watched him practice those lessons by listening more, competing less, and celebrating his classmates’ successes. Eventually, he discovered something Johnson hopes every child learns: “Friendship is not

At the end of every May, she cries as another class moves on, not because the school year has ended, but because she’ll miss the children she has spent the past nine months getting to know. And in the fall, she’ll do it all again.

PAGE 35

We Salute Our 2026

Non-Profit Executives and Community Leaders

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLIQUE PHOTOGRAPHY

arbara Fant is a poet, author, performer, and facilitator. Having always loved writing, poetry found her when she was in high school as she was navigating the grief of losing her mother. For her, poetry became her way of healing, her way of processing, her way of prayer. At the age of eighteen, she found a community open mic, shared a poem onstage, and has never looked back. The Ohio native has been writing and performing for 20 years. She is a national poetry slam finalist and has been commissioned by more than two dozen organizations. She is the author of three poetry collections: Paint, Inside

PAGE 37 readers, and lovers of the literary arts and humor. Named after James Thurber, the museum built in his childhood home, has been preserved as a national attraction for visitors, and the writing center is established for those hoping to grow in their craft and who support the literary arts. Having previously held roles in Columbus, Ohio as the Manager of Kindness Initiatives at The Columbus Foundation, Artistic Director at Harmony Project, and roles in Los Angeles, such as Director of Trainings and Replication at the Arts for Healing and Justice Network, Artistic Director at Street Poets Inc., and Program Director at Homeboy Industries, Barbara comes equipped with a diverse

Barbara Fant Executive Director, Thurber House

Out (2010), Mouths of Garden (2022), and Joy in the Belly of a Riot (2025). Holding a BA in Literature, a Master of Theological Studies, and an MFA in Poetry, her personal practice sits at the intersection of healing-informed arts and spirituality. A certified Healing Centered Engagement Specialist, for over 15 years, she has led healing-informed poetry workshops for youth and adults who are behind bars, adults in recovery, and survivors of domestic violence. Recently returning from Los Angeles, California, Barbara has taken on the role of Executive Director at Thurber House. Thurber House is literary arts organization dedicated to writers,

background and range of experience. Over the years, she has served as a teaching artist at Thurber House, and for a short period of time, served on their board. She views this role as an opportunity to cultivate and pour back into the scene that helped shape her voice. She believes in the healing power of the arts and strives to create and cultivate spaces where all writers, artists, and creatives can thrive, grow, be heard, and have a space to call their own.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLIQUE PHOTOGRAPHY

PAGE 39 rom Opportunity to Impact: Making a Difference Through Sports

Final Four herself, Celia helped bring one to the city she now calls home.

This won’t be a regurgitation of years of accomplishments.

The accomplishment carries special meaning in a community committed to expanding opportunities for women in sports through initiatives like IgniteHER Columbus. Celia is more than an advocate for that mission. She is living proof of what can happen when talented women are given access, support, and a chance to lead.

Nope. Celia was clear: she doesn’t want that. A life is not measured by the titles beside your name or the things you have checked off a list. Those things matter, but they are not the whole story. The better question is: Who did you become, and who did you help become better along the way? To understand Celia Anderson, you have to know something bigger than her résumé: sports changed the trajectory of her life. Basketball was the reason she went to college. Growing up as one of the best players in Little Rock, the sport opened a door, and she walked through it. She went on to play in the SEC at the University of Arkansas, helping lead the Razorbacks to the 1998

Her story extends beyond sports. As a single mother, Celia balanced the demands of career and family while raising her daughter, Gabby. Once again, basketball became part of the journey. Gabby followed her own path to success, playing collegiate basketball at Harvard and graduating in 2026. For Celia, watching her daughter cross that stage was a powerful reminder that opportunity does not stop with one person. It has the power to shape generations.

Celia Anderson

Senior Director of Business Development, Greater Columbus Sports Commission

Women’s Final Four and a WNIT championship before continuing her career professionally in Greece. Along the way, she learned lessons that would stay with her long after the final buzzer. Discipline. Resilience. Preparation. How to trust teammates. How to lead when circumstances are difficult. Most importantly, she learned that people often achieve more when someone believes in them. Today, Celia serves as Senior Director of Business Development for the Greater Columbus Sports Commission. Her work centers on attracting major sporting events, building meaningful relationships, and helping position Columbus as a premier destination for sports. But for her, the work has always been about more than events. It is about the opportunities those events create for athletes, communities, businesses, and future generations. That mission came full circle when Columbus secured the 2027 NCAA Women’s Final Four. More than 25 years after competing in a Women’s

That is why her work remains so personal. Every relationship she builds, every event she helps bring to Columbus, and every person she encourages is connected to a larger purpose: helping others discover what they are capable of becoming. Celia believes success is measured by what you make possible for others. The little girl who once relied on basketball to unlock her own dreams is now helping open doors for countless others. And perhaps those are the victories that matter most. Not the ones measured on a resume, but the ones reflected in lives changed, confidence built, and opportunities created. Basketball opened a door for Celia years ago. Today, she spends her life holding that door open for others. The goal was never simply to win. It was to become someone who could help everyone else win, too.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLIQUE PHOTOGRAPHY

possibility.

PAGE 41 wayne Steward leads with a conviction: progress means little unless others have the opportunity to rise alongside you. For him, leadership is both responsibility and

As the first Black man to serve as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Equality Ohio and the Equality Ohio Education Fund, Steward understands that representation does more than break barriers. It expands what future generations believe is possible. “I’ve never been interested in being the first just for the sake of making history,” Steward says. “I’ve always been more interested in making sure I’m not the last.” That philosophy shapes his approach to leadership. Throughout his career, Steward

planning, board development, and executive coaching, he helps organizations move beyond survival toward sustainability. Too often, he says, nonprofit leaders wear burnout like a badge of honor. “We celebrate resilience,” Steward explains. “But resilience should never become the expectation. Communities deserve organizations that are well-funded, well-led, and built to serve for generations—not just until the next funding crisis.” For Black communities, this message carries particular weight. Nonprofits have long filled gaps left by unequal systems, sustained by traditions of generosity that extend beyond financial wealth to time, faith, mentorship, and collective responsibility. “Our communities have always known how to take care of one another,” he says. “Imagine

Dwayne Steward Executive Director, Equality Ohio

has helped organizations strengthen how they support employees, volunteers, boards, and communities. His guiding belief is simple: healthy organizations change lives. Great missions require thoughtful strategy, strong leadership, and cultures where people can thrive.

what would be possible if Black-led institutions were invested in with the same consistency as our commitment to our people.”

At Equality Ohio, that means navigating a challenging political landscape while building something more enduring than a response to the latest attack on LGBTQ rights.

“Don’t chase titles. Chase impact,” he says. “Be curious. Keep learning. Find mentors who challenge you.”

“Advocacy isn’t just about responding to attacks,” he says. “It’s about building a future where our communities don’t have to wonder whether they’ll be protected. That kind of future requires organizations that are built to last.” As founder and CEO of Make It Better Consulting, Steward brings that vision to nonprofits across the country. Through strategic

Steward also invests in emerging leaders, encouraging them to measure their careers by contribution rather than status.

His legacy is taking shape in stronger institutions, supported leaders, and communities equipped to determine their own futures. For Steward, success is measured not by how high one person climbs, but by how many others rise alongside them. Stand up for equality alongside Dwayne. Visit www.equalityohio.org to get involved.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLIQUE PHOTOGRAPHY

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ohn Chubbs was born into an Ohio State family. His father, his uncles and his brothers all bled scarlet and gray, and John caught it early. As a kid, he stayed up for games that aired on tape delay after the 11 o’clock news, just to see the Buckeyes play.

His father took him to big construction sites, including Lincoln and Morrill Towers. John watched them rise bit by bit, then rode down 315 to take in the view. Back when the spring game was free, first come, first served, John showed up early and claimed the front row. That is where the front row legend began. When Ohio State switched uniform vendors, the spring game turned into a yard sale. For four or five dollars, John walked away with game worn jerseys, holes and all.

days in Ann Arbor. Everyone knew what he meant. Tressel delivered and dominated the team up north. Arizona has rolled out the red carpet for Ohio State again and again. At the Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame, John sat next to the mother of star receiver Santonio Holmes. The field sits so close to the stands, he could hear coaches talking to players and players talking to the other team. Then came Coach Urban Meyer. He went 12 and 0 in his first season and promised a national championship. He kept his word. In the 2015 Sugar Bowl, Meyer took on Nick Saban and Alabama while Ezekiel Elliott ran all over the South. Ohio State beat Oregon for the title, and John had now seen two championship runs in person.

John Chubbs The Buck I Guy

Under Coach John Cooper, Ohio State once played four straight home games, then four straight on the road. John made himself a promise: never again. That promise launched his road trips, and he has followed the team everywhere since. The 2002 national championship against Miami in Tempe, Arizona was everything a fan could want. After Craig Krenzel threw an interception to Sean Taylor, Maurice Clarett ran Taylor down and ripped the ball right back. Big game. Bigger play. The Buckeyes won it all. That title belonged to Coach Jim Tressel, who won John over before he coached a single game. Brand new on the job, Tressel grabbed the microphone at half court of a basketball game and promised fans they would be proud of their young men in 310

In 2014, ESPN inducted The Buckeye Guy into its Fan Hall of Fame, flying him to New York and on to ESPN headquarters in Connecticut. Today, Coach Ryan Day carries the torch with one of the best winning percentages in the game and a national championship of his own. John Chubbs is ready for what comes next. He always has been.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLIQUE PHOTOGRAPHY

speakers, mentors, and new possibilities for their futures. These experiences expose young people to different career pathways while giving them opportunities to strengthen communication, leadership, networking, and professional skills.

As founder and lead consultant of Jameson Consulting Group LLC, Jameson has built his work at the intersection of education, leadership development, and community impact. His mission centers on creating opportunities for young people to develop confidence, character, leadership skills, and practical tools they can carry into every stage of life.

Beyond student programming, his work includes keynote speaking, professional development, educational consulting, and customized workshops for schools, universities, nonprofits, and community organizations. Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach, Jameson designs experiences around the needs of each audience, combining practical learning with interaction and real-world application.

Throughout Columbus, Jameson has partnered with schools and community organizations to provide youth development programming that makes learning engaging, relevant, and

Whether working with an elementary student discovering what makes him unique, a teenager preparing for adulthood, a college student developing as a leader, or professionals

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or Nathan “Nate” Jameson, education has never been limited to what happens inside a classroom. It happens through mentorship, meaningful conversations, handson experiences, and the moments when people begin to recognize their own ability to lead.

Nathan Jameson Founder, Jameson Consulting Group LLC

memorable. His signature programs, Young Men of Excellence and Cheeseburger Life, introduce students to leadership, decisionmaking, social-emotional skills, financial literacy, identity, goal setting, healthy relationships, career exploration, and professionalism. His impact also extends into higher education. Jameson has facilitated leadership trainings and experiences with students at institutions including Clark Atlanta University, The Ohio State University, Capital University, and Wright State University. Across campuses and communities, he challenges college students and emerging leaders to examine how they communicate, influence others, understand themselves, and use leadership to create meaningful change. Jameson’s work also includes developing and organizing career and leadership conferences that connect students with professionals,

strengthening their impact, Jameson approaches the work with the same belief: leadership begins with helping people recognize the value and potential already within them. For Jameson, the programs, conferences, workshops, and trainings are only part of the story. His larger purpose is about presence— the willingness to show up, listen, challenge, encourage, and create opportunities for others to grow. His classroom may change from a school library to a university campus, community center, auditorium, or conference room, but the mission remains the same: developing people who understand that leadership is not simply a title—it is the ability to positively influence the world around them. For Jameson, that work is more than a profession. It is purpose.

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icole “Lady Xtreme” Carter is a community advocate, entrepreneur, author, entertainer, and US Army veteran whose work brings people together through creativity, inclusion, and purpose. Based in Columbus, Ohio, she has spent more than four decades building relationships, promoting events, and creating platforms that celebrate talent while connecting communities with meaningful opportunities. In 2014, Carter founded Unlimited Possibilities For All Disabilities LLC, known as UPFAD, a social enterprise dedicated to creating inclusive festivals and resource events for individuals with disabilities, seniors, veterans, and their families. Her vision centers on a simple belief: everyone deserves opportunities to participate, feel welcomed, and experience the joy of

PAGE 47 needs. Her leadership is grounded in listening, relationship building, and turning community concerns into opportunities for connection and action. Carter also serves as chair of the Columbus Advisory Commission on Disability Issues, contributing to conversations about accessibility, transportation, housing, and community participation. In 2025, she received the Greater Columbus Arts Council’s Dale E. Heydlauff Community Arts Innovation Award, recognizing her contributions to community arts and inclusive engagement. Beyond her advocacy, Carter is known as Lady Xtreme, a Christian rap artist, host, and radio and television personality. Her creative work includes music, live entertainment, and books that encourage courage, learning, and self-expression. Whether she is holding a

Nicole “Lady Xtreme” Carter

Founder and Community Advocate UPFAD — Unlimited Possibilities For All Disabilities LLC

community. Through UPFAD, Carter leads the All Disabilities Festival and other community experiences that combine entertainment, resources, and accessible participation. These gatherings bring together businesses, service providers, artists, volunteers, and families while supporting disability-focused nonprofit organizations. Her approach makes inclusion part of the event experience, with features such as sensory spaces, American Sign Language interpreters, and activities designed to welcome people with different abilities. As a woman living with a mobility disability and a caregiver for her son, Carter brings personal understanding to her advocacy. She recognizes the barriers families encounter and uses that perspective to help shape experiences that reflect their

microphone, organizing a festival, or sharing a story, she uses her voice to encourage others to recognize their own possibilities. Her work reflects the many roles she carries: mother, caregiver, veteran, creative professional, and community leader. Those experiences inform a leadership style that values dignity, practical support, and the power of showing up for others. Carter continues to build a legacy where entertainment and advocacy work together. Through UPFAD and the Lady Xtreme brand, she creates spaces where people can celebrate their individuality, discover resources, and form lasting connections. Her mission remains clear: to expand possibilities and help more people feel seen, valued, and included.

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erry Green, Founder & CEO of Think Make Live Youth (2025 Agency of the Year Award Recipient from the National Association of Social Workers - Ohio Chapter). Terry has been leading Think Make Live Youth for 10 years, starting with hosting Youth Summit events and now making a positive impact facilitating weekly programs to support young people inside schools, correctional facilities and community centers all over the country. He is the Lead Consultant of Breaking Statistics LLC, a social justice consulting firm and the Founder of the Social Justice Awards, a celebration event dedicated to honoring outstanding professional and community leadership.

Subcommittee on Responding to Child Abuse, Neglect and Dependency. He is also an Alumni of the African American Leadership Academy. He served on the Transition Team for the New Franklin County Prosecutor Shayla Favor where he supported her priority areas of interest in juvenile justice. Terry is a graduate of Franklin County YouthBuild and received the national YouthBuild USA Outstanding Commitment to Leadership and Social Justice Award. He is an Alumni of the United Way of Central Ohio Neighborhood Leadership Academy. As a young community activist, Terry served as a Community Organizer for America Forward Today’s Student Campaign.

Terry Green Founder & CEO, Think Make Live Youth

Most recently, Terry received a Global 40 Under 40 recognition and award from Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) in New York City. He is a Columbus Business First 40 Under 40 Award Recipient with over 15 years of public speaking and 10 years of nonprofit executive leadership. He has delivered more than 200+ presentations in 15 cities throughout the United States and has provided programs and events for over 20,000+ young people. He is a founding member of the National Youth-led Community Solutions Implementation Council, where he serves with six other executive leaders of local non-profits from around the country. He serves on the Supreme Court of Ohio

Terry is a marketing guru with over 30,000 followers on LinkedIn. He is a powerful leader who has pushed through many challenges in his life and now he is dedicated every day to provide more innovative strategies and opportunities for youth, returning citizens and executive leaders to thrive in today’s society. He is also an inspiring author. His first book will be published soon. When does Terry sleep?

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Jackie Kemp FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LEAD THE WAY

hen Jackie Kemp founded Lead The Way, LLC in January 2004, she brought resilience, faith, military leadership, and an understanding of how support can change a person’s life. Jackie’s mother died when she was 18 months old, and her grandmother raised her alongside six siblings. Around age eight, a house fire left her family homeless. Jerry and Eleanor Caplan provided a furnished home and support, teaching Jackie the importance of opening doors for others. Her church family also funded activities and trips, shaping her belief in community investment. Those lessons carried into her 21 years in the United States Army. As a single mother raising two children 11 months apart, she balanced leadership and family responsibilities with support from her military community.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLIQUE PHOTOGRAPHY

LEAD THE WAY

Opening Doors for the Next Generation Three leaders, one legacy: support received at pivotal moments, paid forward to young people across Columbus.

After retiring, Jackie helped young people overcome barriers through career counseling, mentoring, college visits, and internships. Lead The Way received its first Workforce Investment Act contract in 2006 and later became Lead The Way Learning Academy, serving thousands of youth. On September 30, 2023, Jackie retired as Executive Director and entrusted leadership to Anthony Murphy. Although she retired from her position, she did not retire from her purpose: using what she survived to create opportunities for others.

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Anthony Murphy EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LEAD THE WAY

orn and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Anthony Murphy’s commitment to workforce development began as a teenager in SURF, a summer initiative improving South Side neighborhoods. The experience taught him that meaningful work and community investment can change a young person’s life. Murphy became a father at 19, deepening his responsibility and purpose. His roles as educator, coach, entrepreneur, mental health professional, and stay-at-home father shaped his approach to leadership. A follower of Christ and father of five, he grounds his work in faith, family, and service. Murphy earned a master’s degree in educational leadership in 2020. He credits Jackie Kemp with shaping his leadership and Lead The Way’s growth. “People like Jackie are rare,” he said. “She is selfless, passionate, and beyond well versed in workforce development.” Under Murphy’s leadership, revenue grew from approximately $1.6 million in 2022 to $3.43 million in 2024. After being tasked with helping guide LTW back from the challenges caused by COVID, Murphy has guided LTW to an annual annual surplus’s each year and current assets above $800k. Today, he mentors Director of Programming Frederick Lee and Director of Partnerships D’Sha Edge, helping them strengthen programs and partnerships. For Murphy, leadership means preparing others to lead and equipping young people to build futures of purpose and possibility.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLIQUE PHOTOGRAPHY

“People like Jackie are rare.” — ANTHONY MURPHY

$3.43M

revenue in 2024, up from approximately $1.6 million in 2022 under Murphy’s leadership

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D’Sha Edge DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS , LEAD THE WAY

orn in Toledo, Ohio, D’Sha Edge grew up in a law enforcement family, living in Van Wert and Delaware before settling in Sandusky. She finished high school at the top of her class while becoming a single mother at 17. Raised in a strong Christian family with unlimited support, D’Sha graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education and her daughter, Imani, by her side. During college, she began working at Cedar Point, becoming Front Office Manager and Head of the Resorts Division’s Internship Program, supporting hundreds of associates. After almost 10 years, D’Sha moved to Columbus in 2024 and became Partnerships Coordinator at Experience Columbus. Building relationships was second nature. She led the Small Business Program, supporting minority-owned businesses and learning how to meet their needs. Lead The Way was one of those partners.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLIQUE PHOTOGRAPHY

THE LEGACY

Together, their journeys show how support received at pivotal moments becomes support offered to others, opening doors for young people to build their futures.

Now Lead The Way’s Director of Partnerships, D’Sha thanks God for bringing those experiences together to help young people access opportunities. She sees the programs’ value through her own teenage years and carries forward Jackie’s legacy and Anthony’s mentorship.

2004 WHERE IT BEGAN

Jackie Kemp founds Lead The Way, which has since served thousands of youth

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Exceptional education built for each student. Wellington is the preschool-grade 12 school in Columbus for students and families seeking educational excellence in a highly connected, future-focused learning community.

3650 Reed Road, Columbus, Ohio 43220

Come visit us! The best way to get know to Wellington is to see it yourself! Schedule a personal tour or register for an admissions event this fall.

wellington.org

Space to Heal. Tools to Thrive.

Healing Broken Circles provides transformative programming and art activations for people most deeply impacted by systemic racism and mass incarceration. Programs support communal self-awareness, creative expression, healing and skill-building with opportunities to bridge social divides and build community

Our Programs HOPE: A trauma-informed workshop series that empowers incarcerated individuals to transform their personal narratives and reconnect with their humanity. FATHERHOOD: Providing incarcerated fathers with tools and support to become present, intentional, and emotionally connected parents. THE BACKWALL: A storytelling and performance series that amplifies incarcerated voices and builds bridges to the outside world.

Get Involved:

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LEADERSHIP

The Nonprofit Survival Guide 10 Lessons for Building Organizations That Last BY DWAYN E ST EWA R D

CEO & Executive Director of Equality Ohio · Founder & CEO of Make It Better Consulting

There is no shortage of passion among nonprofit leaders.

cross Columbus and communities throughout the country, nonprofit leaders are building organizations, creating jobs, mentoring young people, advocating for justice, feeding families, expanding access to opportunity, and solving problems that larger institutions have struggled to address, especially in this current difficult economic landscape. But passion has never been the problem. Access to resources has. Nationally, people of color remain underrepresented in nonprofit executive leadership—particularly at the largest

and best-resourced organizations. And the disparities become even clearer when we examine funding. Research on Black nonprofit leadership, for example, found that similarly situated organizations with Black leaders had 24% less revenue and 76% fewer unrestricted net assets than their white-led counterparts. Those numbers should matter to anyone who cares about strong communities. We cannot expect organizations closest to community problems to solve them while continually asking their leaders to do more with less. So, particularly for nonprofit leaders of color navigating this moment, here are ten lessons for building organizations that last.

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01 Stop Confusing Struggle With Failure The nonprofit landscape has changed. Funding uncertainty, rising costs, increased competition, and changing philanthropic priorities are affecting organizations everywhere. Difficult seasons don’t automatically mean your organization is failing. Sometimes leadership means recognizing that the environment changed—and changing your strategy with it.

02 Know Your Numbers A big grant does not automatically mean financial health. Leaders and boards must understand unrestricted cash, reserves, cash flow, revenue concentration, and the true cost of programs. You cannot build sustainability around money you cannot actually use.

03 Stop Celebrating Burnout There is a dangerous narrative in communities of color that celebrates our ability to endure.

We make a way. We figure it out. We do more with less. Those qualities demonstrate resilience— but they should never become an excuse for institutions to underinvest in us. Exhaustion is not a badge of honor, and burnout is not an organizational strategy.

04 Build Relationships, Not Just Grant Applications Fundraising is relational. Help funders understand your vision, your impact, and the community you serve. And stop feeling pressured to perform perfection. Strong partnerships are built on trust, not pretending your organization never struggles.

05 Turn Strategy Into Action If your strategic plan isn’t connected to a budget, staffing, timelines,

accountability, and measurable outcomes, it is a wish list. Strategy should influence what you fund, who you hire, what you measure, and even what opportunities you say no to.

06 Build a Board That Actually Governs Your board is more than a fundraising committee. Strong boards provide accountability, financial stewardship, strategic oversight, executive partnership, and connections to resources and influence. For organizations led by people of color, board members can also play a critical role in opening doors to networks where leadership has historically been excluded.

07 Tell Your Staff the Truth During uncertainty, silence creates anxiety. Tell employees what you know, what you don’t know, what leadership is doing about it, and when they can expect another update. Transparency doesn’t require having every answer. It requires trust.

08 Passion Is Not a Sustainability Strategy This may be the most important lesson. Organizations led by people of color don’t need another speech about learning to do more with less. We already know how to do more with less. What organizations need are investments in operations, technology, human resources, fundraising systems, data, leadership development, reserves, and succession planning. Infrastructure isn’t separate from the mission. Infrastructure makes your mission possible.

09 Stop Making the Executive Director Indispensable If every decision, relationship, and piece of institutional knowledge lives with one leader, your organization is vulnerable. Develop other leaders. Document systems. Delegate authority. Build succession plans. The goal of leadership isn’t to make yourself indispensable. It’s to build something capable of lasting beyond you.

10 Get Out of Survival Mode Communities of color have generations of experience surviving. But our institutions deserve more than survival. The next chapter of nonprofit leadership must be about building organizations with the capital, systems, talent, and infrastructure necessary to thrive for generations. So perhaps we need to stop asking:

How can we keep doing more with less? And start asking:

What could our organizations—and our communities—become if we actually had what we needed to build?

Passion may start the work. But infrastructure sustains it. Watch Make It Better Consulting’s Summer of Sustainability series on Instagram (@makeitbetterconsulting) to learn more.

A HEALTHIER YOU STARTS HERE Whether you’re looking to improve your health, gain more energy, or feel more confident, our bariatric team is here to help you take the first step. Bariatric surgery is more than weight loss. It can be a path toward better health, improved mobility, and a higher quality of life. With expert surgeons, personalized care, and ongoing support, we’ll guide you through every stage of your journey. Discover if Bariatric Surgery is right for you.

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Columbus City Council Reform is On the Ballot By Morgan Harper

his November, Columbus voters will decide on whether to adopt a new structure for city council. Whether you live in the city or the suburbs, the impact on central Ohio could be significant.

For more than 100 years, Columbus City Council has had an all “at-large “system requiring people to run and win the entire city to get a seat. In 2018, community members led an effort to bring district-based representation to council. As a result, a hybrid system was created with nine districts of about 100,000 people. Once on the ballot, however, candidates must win the majority of votes cast across the entire city of almost 1,000,000, effectively retaining the all at-large voting structure. Earlier this year I wrote about the Our City Our Say effort, a grassroots coalition gathering signatures for a “simple fix” that would allow residents of each district to vote just for their own representative of their district. Our City Our Say will appear as Issue 8 on the ballot. After conversations with members of the coalition, city council also decided to refer an alternative, Issue 9. Council’s Issue 9 would implement nine district and two at-large seats next year, redraw the district maps in 2028, and then add two more at-large seats in 2029. If both issues receive over 50%, they both take effect. The Franklin County Democratic Party has endorsed each issue. The key choices for voters is whether rat-large seats should remain part of city council and whether they are ok with the districts as drawn. Reasonable people could disagree. I favor the simple fix because it will allow more grassroots candidates, including Black candidates, to run and win even with fewer resources. I also think an all-district system will force city council members to build coalitions around ideas as part of the governing process. Some argue at-large seats are necessary to fend off parochial tendencies from district representatives, but this argument overlooks the communityoriented nature of Columbus. Most people want

neighbors across the city to do well. Another argument has been that at-large seats better protect Black representation. Columbus has enjoyed Black city council members for decades but the Black community’s economic standing has not improved. What I’m hearing most from the community is a desire for more Black grassroots representation that is willing to fight the status quo. Either issue passing will bring a major change to city council and create the possibility of more competitive races in 2027. If you have ever thought of running, now would be a good time to consider it. But first, make sure to vote by November 3rd.

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IN TRIBUTE

The People’s

Champ The Leadership and Legacy of Ray Miller BY NÍEL M. JURIST, APR

Long before Senator Ray Miller entered the political arena, he understood what it meant to fight for something.

confronting injustice, challenging conventional thinking, or pushing people and institutions to do better, Miller was willing to say what he believed needed to be said. For him, having a voice came with a responsibility to use it.

ike his father, Miller boxed as a young man, and his trainer became an important influence in his life. The discipline, resilience and determination he developed through boxing stayed with him as he spent decades fighting for people, challenging institutions and preparing others to lead.

During his 24-year tenure in the Ohio General Assembly, Miller advocated for children, families, education, behavioral health, civil rights, economic opportunity, and underserved communities. His work included mental health reform and the establishment of the Ohio Commission on Minority Health.

Miller was never easily defined by one title. He was a musician, activist, labor leader, White House staffer, legislator, publisher, advocate and mentor. He moved through the halls of power while remaining connected to the communities he represented.

But Miller’s influence was never confined to the Statehouse.

In 1970, while a student at The Ohio State University, Miller met Marlene “Marty” Miller. Both were young activists engaged in social movements, participating in demonstrations for a Black Studies Department and against the Vietnam War. Their shared commitment to service and social change became the foundation of a partnership lasting more than five decades. That willingness to challenge the status quo became a hallmark of Miller’s life. He understood how institutions worked, but he was never afraid to challenge them or speak the truth. Whether

He understood something generations of Black leaders before him understood: gaining access to institutions was important, but building and strengthening institutions within our own community was equally necessary. In 2011, he founded The Columbus African American News Journal, creating a platform for stories, accomplishments, challenges and perspectives important to the African American community. Its mission was simple: educate, inform and empower. He understood the power of media and, more importantly, the power of telling our own stories and shaping our own narratives. But he also knew strong institutions needed people prepared to lead them and carry the work forward. Long before “leadership pipeline” became a familiar phrase, Miller was doing the work.

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“He would tell you the truth, even when it wasn’t what you wanted to hear.” Senator Ray Miller

Through the Ray Miller Institute for Change and Leadership at The Ohio State University, the Progressive Leadership Academy, grassroots organizing and personal mentorship, Miller invested in emerging leaders and encouraged them to recognize their own capacity and responsibility to serve. His approach was distinctly Ray Miller. He opened doors, made introductions, and freely shared his relationships and knowledge. He encouraged people, but also challenged them to grow. Those who learned from Miller knew his mentorship came with honesty. He would tell you the truth, even when it wasn’t what you wanted to hear. Miller was not interested in creating replicas of himself. He wanted people to find their own voices, understand their own power, and use both in service to others. Today, Miller’s influence extends far beyond Columbus, reaching across Ohio and the nation through leaders he mentored, developed, and inspired to serve in government, public service, business, education, nonprofit organizations, and civic life.

Miller understood that representation matters, but getting into the room was only the beginning. The greater responsibility was making sure someone else had a path into that room after you. Someone once stood in Ray Miller’s corner. His father introduced him to boxing, and a trainer invested in him. Miller spent much of the rest of his life doing the same for others. He stood in their corner. He coached them, challenged them, opened doors and prepared them for the fights they would eventually face on their own. Senator Miller leaves behind Marty, his college sweetheart and wife of more than five decades; their son, Ray III, and daughter-in-love, Maria; and his beloved granddaughter, Raegan, who knew him as “Poppi.” But his family is not alone in carrying his legacy. He also leaves behind a generation of leaders he inspired to pursue government, public service and civic leadership. Leaders he mentored,

challenged and encouraged. Leaders for whom he opened doors and who are now opening doors for those coming behind them. They are the living legacy of Ray Miller. Titles fade. Terms end. Political power changes hands. But a leader’s true legacy lives in the people they prepare to carry the work ahead and who, in turn, stand in someone else’s corner. Ray Miller spoke truth. He built institutions. He opened doors. He developed leaders. Long before politics, Ray Miller learned how to fight. He spent the rest of his life understanding what was worth fighting for and making sure another generation was ready to continue the fight.

That is the enduring legacy of the People’s Champ.

PAGE 60 STYLE

Bring New York Fashion Week to Your Closet The runway may be in New York. The inspiration is everywhere. BY L . HOWARD-STEWARD

PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMMA PARKER PHOTOGRAPHY

There is something about New York Fashion Week that makes getting dressed feel consequential.

or a few days each September, Manhattan becomes a living editorial. Designers unveil new collections, fashion editors study every detail, and sidewalks become unofficial runways. Fashion is everywhere and, perhaps most importantly, people seem willing to take a risk.

While creating my five day fashion series from Columbus, Ohio, I kept returning to one question: What if we stopped looking at Fashion Week as something to copy and started treating it as something to interpret? That distinction changed everything. Rather than recreate designer looks from head to toe, I drew inspiration from the silhouettes, tailoring, textures, color stories and styling surrounding NYFW and translated those ideas through my own wardrobe. The result was a realization: fashion’s greatest luxury isn’t always the label.

It’s Perspective.

Start With Your Own Closet

Before spending money on something new, take a look at what you already own. That black trouser you’ve worn countless times? Change the proportions. Pair it with an unexpected top and a structured bag. That button-down sitting in the back of your closet? Give it new life with wide-leg trousers, statement jewelry or oversized sunglasses. ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lawrence Howard-Steward is a Columbus, Ohio based Entrepreneur, Consultant, Fashion Design Architect, and Real Estate professional with more than 20 years of experience spanning banking, development, and nonprofit procurement. Blending business, fashion, and community engagement, Lawrence is known for his distinctive perspective, dynamic presence, and commitment to helping others express themselves with authenticity and purpose. Visit www.lboutiquefashion.com or email lboutiquefashions@ gmail.com to schedule a style consultation or wardrobe update services.

Fashion often rewards curiosity more than consumption. The question isn’t always, “What should I buy?” Sometimes it’s “What haven’t I tried yet?”

Master the Art of Proportion

One of the easiest ways to make an everyday outfit feel editorial is to reconsider silhouette. Wide-leg trousers can make a simple outfit feel architectural. An oversized shirt can create drama without being flashy. Relaxed tailoring can communicate confidence without looking rigid. The objective isn’t necessarily to make your clothes look expensive.

It’s to make them look intentional.

PAGE 61

NYFW 2026 Daily Looks: the author’s day-by-day series, styled in Columbus, Ohio, from his own closet.

Use Color Strategically

A sophisticated wardrobe doesn’t require an explosion of color. Start with neutrals; For my own styling I use black, white, cream, navy, tan or brown and introduce color strategically. It might appear in a handbag, shoe, accessory or subtle styling detail. Think of color as punctuation. You don’t need a whole paragraph when one exclamation point will do.

Accessories Tell the Story A belt can change a silhouette. A watch can sharpen a look. A structured handbag can transform the simplest outfit. Accessories are where a wardrobe begins to reveal its personality and they are among the easiest ways to experiment without rebuilding your closet.

Don’t Copy the Runway. Translate It.

This may be the most important lesson.

Take the element that excites you, the texture, tailoring, color, movement, minimalism or maximalism and reinterpret it through your own lifestyle. That’s meaningful to me because I live in Columbus, a place relatively not looked upon for its Fashions; Yet. As Fashion Week Columbus returns November 8–14, 2026, our city will have an opportunity to celebrate its own designers, models, stylists, photographers and creative voices. New York may command the spotlight, but Columbus has a fashion conversation of its own. So, as you read this editorial issue, don’t wait for an invitation to the runway.

Create one. Open your closet. Reconsider the pieces you’ve overlooked. Mix the unexpected. Wear the outfit you’ve been saving. Take the styling risk. Because fashion was never meant to

The womenswear side of the series.

live exclusively on a runway; It lives on sidewalks, at dinner, at work, at brunch, in our neighborhoods and yes, inside our closets. And you have something even more personal: your own point of view.

Different city. Same runway energy. Styled with Authenticity.

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PAGE 63 PERSPECTIVE

What Learners Need from Educators in the Age of AI BY DR. CHRISTOPHER WASHINGTON

Provost Emeritus, Franklin University

hen I pursued my college degree in the 1980s, the case for a college education rested on a few powerful assumptions. Professors, instructors, and course materials provided access to knowledge that was difficult to obtain elsewhere, and a degree signaled that a one possessed knowledge and capabilities employers valued. I can still recall the great professors who taught my best courses, and how what I learned from them prepared me for my career.

Artificial intelligence and other intelligent systems are changing both assumptions. Knowledge is now abundant and increasingly accessible to anyone with a phone and an AI app. AI can also perform many professional tasks, including analyzing data, researching and comparing ideas, drafting reports, and proposing solutions that once required significant human expertise and effort. The AI era is also changing what it means to be educated. The evolving role of educators in the AI era rests less on providing access to information and more on designing the experiences that enable learners to develop the human capabilities they will need. That makes the work of outstanding educators especially important today. As we celebrate the exceptional educators featured in this issue, it is worth considering how the needs of the population of learners they serve are changing, and why responding to those needs may matter more than ever.

By educators, I mean all those who intentionally help people learn and develop. This includes classroom teachers, college professors, workforce trainers, mentors, coaches, apprenticeship leaders, supervisors, and others who guide learning in formal and informal settings. The emerging role of educators is to design, connect, and guide learning experiences that develop capabilities AI alone cannot provide. Future-ofwork research sheds light on those capabilities. Recent reports from McKinsey and Accenture emphasize adaptability, analytical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, judgment, emotional intelligence, and continuous learning. Research from Deloitte adds curiosity, agility, resilience, connected teaming, divergent thinking, and emotional intelligence as especially important in an AI-enhanced workplace. In the AI era, most will acknowledge that AI proficiency matters. But so does the human capability required to use AI wisely. PwC's 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer makes the educator’s challenge even clearer. Its analysis of more than one billion job advertisements across 27 countries and territories found that entry-level jobs most exposed to AI increasingly require capabilities traditionally associated with more senior employees, including leadership, creativity, judgment, and strategic thinking. In practical terms, AI is raising the level of work expected from new employees while removing some of the entry-level experiences that once helped them develop more advanced capabilities.

The AI enhanced workplace creates both a challenge and an opportunity for educators. If routine work no longer provides the same developmental pathway, educators must become more intentional about creating it. Learners need exposure to real-world problems and increasing levels of responsibility. They also need to learn how to use AI without allowing it to substitute for the thinking, judgment, and expertise they must develop themselves. The best educators have always taken into account learner needs. In the age of AI, those needs are changing. As AI becomes more capable of delivering information and performing professional tasks, the distinctive contribution of great educators will increasingly lie in designing experiences that enable learners to tackle unfamiliar problems, make decisions, work across differences, communicate ideas, experiment, receive feedback, recover from failure, and reflect on their performance.

Education still matters. And as the nature of learning and work changes, exceptional educators will matter more than ever. Dr. Christopher Washington serves as the President of the Innovative Leadership Institute’s Think Tank, where he conducts research and partners with CEO’s, executive teams, and boards to design leadership systems that adapt fast changing environments. He is Provost Emeritus of Franklin University and serves as a contributing member of the Forbes Nonprofit Council where he writes about leadership, intrapreneurship, and innovation. Dr. Washington holds a Ph.D. from the College of Education at The Ohio State University. He is a recipient of OSUs College of Education and Human Ecology Career Achievement Award and Western Illinois University’s Distinguished Alumni Award

A Central State graduate celebrates at Commencement 2026.

CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY

Momentum With a Mission For nearly 140 years, Central State University (CSU) has created pathways to opportunity, preparing generations of students to lead, serve, and strengthen their communities. Today, CSU, Ohio’s only public Historically Black College and University (HBCU) is building on that legacy while experiencing an exciting transformational period.

ocated in Wilberforce, Ohio, Central State is both an HBCU and an 1890 Land-Grant Institution, a distinctive identity that shapes its mission. The University combines an intimate, student-centered educational experience with research and community engagement that reaches well beyond its campus. Under the leadership of President Morakinyo A.O. Kuti ’85, Central State is focused on becoming a destination learning environment where students find not only an education, but also the experiences, relationships, and opportunities that prepare them for what comes next. That focus is increasingly visible across the University.

Investing in the Student Experience

Central State is making significant investments in the places where students live, learn, and build community. Approximately $37 million in state and federal supported improvements are transforming facilities across campus, including renovations to Charles H. Wesley Arts & Science Building, the Paul Robeson Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Madison W. Beacom/Gaston F. Lewis Gymnasium,

Joshua I. Smith Center for Education & Natural Sciences, and Carl C. Jenkins Technology Education Hall. Additional investments to renew campus infrastructure in information technology, mechanical systems, sidewalks, green space, and other infrastructure are helping create a campus environment designed to support a robust student body.

But transformation at Central State extends far beyond buildings.

Students are gaining access to modernized academic opportunities, research, internships, leadership experiences, and career pathways that connect classroom learning to the State of Ohio and the world around them. Whether conducting research alongside faculty, performing with the Invincible Marching Marauders, competing as a studentathlete, leading a campus organization, or gaining experience with an employer, Central State students are encouraged to discover where their talents can take them.

Central State students on campus in Wilberforce, Ohio, and in the University Center.

Research With Real-World Impact

Central State’s 1890 Land-Grant mission also distinguishes the University within Ohio higher education. Research and extension connect the expertise of Central State faculty and staff with communities throughout Ohio, addressing real-world challenges in agriculture, natural resources, technology, health, economic development, and other areas. The University has significantly expanded its research capacity in recent years, attracting new external investment and strengthening opportunities for students to participate in meaningful discovery. Investments in research facilities, workforce development, broadband access, and community-based programming are creating opportunities that benefit both Central State students and 48 Counties throughout Ohio. For students, those opportunities can be transformational. Experiential learning allow students to build professional networks, develop practical skills, and envision careers and graduate study that may once have seemed beyond reach.

Creating Pathways to Graduation

Growth also brings responsibility. As more students choose Central State, the University must ensure that they have the resources necessary not simply to enroll, but to persist and graduate. Scholarships and other forms of student support are an increasingly important part of that work. Central State alumni, corporations, foundations, and friends are helping remove financial barriers for students while investing in academic programs and experiences that strengthen their education. That support can mean helping a student bridge an unexpected financial gap that might otherwise prevent enrollment for another semester. It can provide access to an internship or research experience. It can establish an endowed scholarship that supports generations of students or provide faculty with resources to create new opportunities in the classroom.

A University on the Move Central State’s momentum is rooted in something much older than any building, program, or initiative.

It is rooted in people.

For generations, Centralians have carried the University with them into businesses, classrooms, laboratories, boardrooms, public service, and communities throughout Ohio and throughout the nation. Today's students are becoming the next generation of that legacy. As Central State approaches 140 years of educating students, its mission remains as relevant as ever. The University is honoring the traditions that have defined it while embracing new opportunities to grow, innovate, and serve. For alumni, partners, prospective students, families, and friends, there has rarely been a more exciting time to rediscover Central State University.

Each investment contributes to a larger goal: ensuring that Central State students have the opportunity to complete their education and leave prepared to succeed.

BE PART OF WHAT ’S NEXT

VISIT. PARTNER. INVEST. ENROLL.

Discover what’s happening at Central State University and find your place in our expanding community. For God, For Central, For State! Apply at centralstate.edu/Apply

PAGE 66

E.D.G.E. leaders, board members and community partners with the Mayor of Columbus at the organization’s launch event.

COMMUNITY

Eastland on the Rise How E.D.G.E. is turning a community-built vision into opportunity, block by block.

n any given morning, the doors open at Bangkok Grocery & Restaurant on Refugee Road to serve the Eastland community. For nearly five decades, families have walked through its doors to shop, share stories, and connect with their community. Generations have come and gone, but the business has remained a constant, reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit, cultural diversity, and resilience that define Eastland. Eastland Development for Growth and Equity (E.D.G.E.), Inc., a nonprofit Community Economic Development Corporation, is fueling the revitalization of the Eastland area by providing resources and information to help businesses like Bangkok grow.

That momentum grew through years of collaboration among the Greater Eastside Coalition, including the Far East, Greater South East, and Mid-East Area Commissions, and other community partners who shared a vision for Eastland's future. Together, they represented nearly 150,000 Columbus residents and recognized that the success of Eastland would strengthen the region as a whole. That collaboration led to the City of Columbus’ Eastland for Everyone Community Plan, a sixteen-month process that engaged more than 1,800 residents, business owners, community organizations, and stakeholders. Together, they created a vision for a community that is welcoming, prosperous, connected, and inclusive. More than a

PAGE 67

EASTLAND BY THE NUMBERS

21,000+

8,600

$59.5M

1,800+

residents across one of Columbus’ most diverse neighborhoods

households, many of them families

spent each year on everyday goods and services

voices helped shape the Eastland for Everyone plan

plan, it became a roadmap to invest in the people, places, and opportunities that already existed within Eastland. Turning that roadmap into action is the mission of E.D.G.E. which was established to advance the community's vision and coordinate implementation efforts. Guided by a volunteer Board of Directors and led by an Executive Director, with the support of committee members and community partners, E.D.G.E. serves as a convener, collaborator, and catalyst for lasting community transformation. Eastland is home to more than 21,000 residents and 8,600 households - the community is one

of Columbus' most diverse and family-oriented neighborhoods. Residents spend an estimated $59.5 million annually on everyday goods and services, yet much of that spending leaves the community because those goods and services are not always available close to home. For entrepreneurs, business owners, developers, and community partners, that represents a significant opportunity. Across Eastland, signs of progress are already visible. Local businesses are connecting through roundtables, technical assistance programs, and microgrants. Investments are improving parks, trails, food access, and community amenities. The Mid-Ohio Food

“Eastland’s greatest resources are its people and its businesses.” — LONNIE WATSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, E.D.G.E.

Collective's Prosperity Center is bringing new life to the former Kroger property, while community partnerships continue creating new opportunities for growth. As E.D.G.E.’s Executive Director, Lonnie Watson, observes, "Eastland's greatest resources are its people and its businesses. When we connect their ideas, skills, and determination with meaningful investment, we create progress that belongs to the whole community."

choosing to build its future. The energy that began through regional collaboration has evolved into a community-wide movement fueled by residents, businesses, nonprofits, and partners working toward a common goal. E.D.G.E.’s Board Chair Mark Harper puts it simply: "Our responsibility is to help turn the vision of the Eastland Community Plan into enduring opportunity, block by block, partnership by partnership, and generation by generation."

Today, Eastland's story is no longer centered on what was lost. Instead, it is being written by the people

Help Eastland thrive.

If you believe in helping Eastland thrive, we invite you to join us as your time, talents, and ideas can help turn a vision into reality. eastlandedge.org · Scan to connect

PAGE 68

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PAGE 69

DEMENTIA: A GROWING CHALLENGE WE CANNOT IGNORE

ementia is not a single disease, but a group of conditions that impair memory, thinking and daily function. Alzheimer ’s disease is the most common form. In 2026, an estimated 7.4 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer ’s—about 1 in 9 older adults. In Ohio, more than 236,000 people are affected, supported by roughly 452,000 unpaid caregivers. The burden is not shared equally. Older Black Americans are about twice as likely as older White Americans to have Alzheimer ’s or another dementia and are more likely to experience delayed diagnosis. This matters in communities of color, where caregiving often falls heavily on families already balancing careers, children, financial responsibilities and care for aging parents.

Over the past two decades, the challenge has grown dramatically. Alzheimer ’s deaths increased 142% between 2000 and 2022. At the same time, science has advanced: researchers now recognize that Alzheimer ’s likely develops from a complex interaction of aging, genetics, abnormal amyloid and tau proteins, inflammation, vascular disease, and lifestyle and environmental factors. High blood pressure, diabetes and stroke— conditions that disproportionately affect Black communities—may also increase dementia risk. Early recognition matters. Warning signs include worsening memory, difficulty managing finances or medications, getting lost in familiar places, language problems, personality changes and declining ability to perform usual tasks. Brief office-based tools such as the Mini-Cog or GPCOG can identify people who need further evaluation. In 2025, the FDA also cleared the first blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer ’s-related amyloid changes in symptomatic adults age 55 and older. Dementia is not simply an individual diagnosis; it affects families, workplaces, finances and the cultural fabric of our communities. Earlier conversations, better control of vascular risk factors and timely evaluation of concerning symptoms can help families prepare and connect with treatment and support. Resources: Alzheimer ’s Association 24/7 Helpline: 800-272-3900; Alzheimer ’s Association Central Ohio Chapter: https://www.alz.org/ centralohio Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about your health or safety.

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PAGE 72 NEXT ERA SUMMER SERIES

How the Next Era of Columbus Teens Turned

A Summer of Exploration Into a Real-World Solution

Next Era Summer Series participants, mentors and Look Ma’ No Hands staff at the final presentations.

For many teenagers, summer is a chance to take a break from school. For a group of Columbus students, this summer became an opportunity to step into boardrooms, creative studios and the world of entrepreneurship—and ultimately build something of their own.

hrough Look Ma’ No Hands’ Next Era Summer Series, students in grades 9–11 spent three months exploring skills and industries that are not always deeply addressed in a traditional classroom. Meeting twice a week, participants learned directly from industry professionals in areas including marketing, sales, finance, business law, branding, photography, screen printing, storytelling and résumé building.

The program reflects the vision of Look Ma’ No Hands founder Dionte Johnson, who created the experience to give young people greater access to career exploration, practical skills and the professionals already working in those spaces. That access extended well beyond Columbus. Students traveled to Los Angeles at no cost to them, visiting companies and brands including Nike, Vans, Netflix and Amazon Prime Studios. Alongside sightseeing, students were able to hear firsthand from professionals about their careers and industries—turning concepts discussed throughout the summer into tangible possibilities. For participant Gigi Soleimon, that direct access was

particularly meaningful. She said the program left her more knowledgeable about areas such as finance, law, trademarks and copyrights. More importantly, she valued being able to learn from people actually working in those fields rather than simply searching for information online. But the summer wasn’t only about what students could learn from professionals. It was also about what they could create themselves. The program culminated in a “Shark Tank”-style competition challenging students to identify a problem affecting teens and pitch an initiative that could positively increase teen engagement. The winning team created NearU, an app designed to connect teenagers with safe, age-appropriate events, activities and opportunities happening around them. The idea came from a simple observation: teenagers often want something to do but don’t know what is available. “We felt it was a big deal that people don’t know what to do when they’re home,” participant Gavin Rigby explained. NearU became their answer—a platform similar in concept to Eventbrite, but specifically designed with teenagers in mind. Developing the idea required students to apply the very skills they had spent the summer learning. Gavin focused heavily on marketing, helping the group think about how NearU could reach its audience. Through the

PAGE 73 THE WINNING IDEA

NearU

An app that connects teens with safe, age-appropriate events, activities and opportunities happening around them.

“We didn’t just have an idea. We created the actual project.” — GIGI SOLEIMON

The winning NearU team with program leaders after the final “Shark Tank”-style pitch.

program, he learned that marketing extends far beyond posting on social media. He gained exposure to campaign development, sales strategies and different ways businesses introduce ideas to consumers. The team also experienced challenges familiar to real entrepreneurs: competing ideas, differing opinions and the pressure of a deadline. Gigi remembers the group feeling behind as the final presentation approached. Determined to make the project work, students put in additional time outside of their regular sessions. “We attribute that to perseverance,” she said.

strengthened his collaboration, presentation and public-speaking skills—skills he says he has already begun applying to assignments at school. Gigi walked away with a similar lesson: confidence is key, but so are teamwork and communication. Yet both students point to something beyond winning the competition as one of the summer’s greatest outcomes: relationships. Gavin said his favorite part of the program was meeting people who became close friends while having experiences and traveling to places he otherwise may never have encountered.

That perseverance paid off. Instead of stopping at a concept or mock-up, the NearU team built a functional version of the app. During their final pitch, they incorporated a skit, demonstrated the app live and confidently explained the problem they were trying to solve. “We didn’t just have an idea,” Gigi said. “We created the actual project.” For Gavin, preparation was one of the team’s biggest strengths. The group practiced, used flash cards and made sure each member could confidently articulate the vision. The experience

Participants listen in during the final presentations.

That may ultimately be the larger story of Next Era. Students entered the summer to explore what might be possible. They left having met professionals, traveled across the country, developed business skills, built relationships and taken an idea from a conversation to a working product. NearU began as students asking a question about their own lives: Where can teens go to find something positive to do?

By the end of the summer, they had built their own answer.

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