Podcasts about City Club

The sound of cargo ship horns ringing through the night is a familiar sound for any Clevelander. It's also the sound of roughly 13 million tons of cargo moving through the Cleveland Harbor every year. Managing the North Coast traffic is The Port of Cleveland, one of the largest ports on the Great Lakes and the only local government agency whose sole mission is to spur job creation and economic vitality in Cuyahoga County. The Port generates over 23,000 jobs and $7.07 billion in annual economic activity.rnrnJoining the Port as President & CEO is Jeff Epstein, who brings over two decades of experience at the intersection of economic development, public-private partnerships, and transformative urban investment. Before joining the Port, Jeff served as Chief of Integrated Development for the City of Cleveland, where he advanced equitable community and economic development across the city. He also spent time as the Executive Director of MidTown Cleveland, a nonprofit economic and community development organization.rnrnJoin us at the City Club as we hear from Jeff Epstein on how The Port of Cleveland is driving economic growth, global connectivity, and sustainability for Northeast Ohio and beyond.

There was a time when the premise of nanny robots and artificial intelligence raising our children was merely the subject of Steven Spielberg's futuristic sci-fi films. The future, it seems, is now. As AI enters nurseries, playrooms, and classrooms, parents are being sold a “smart” childhood at every turn. With mainstream use of artificial intelligence, the power of parent talk and human interaction in childhood development has become even clearer. In her latest book, Human Raised, author Dana Suskind, MD, reveals the possibilities and perils of using AI and related technologies for child-rearing. What do parents and caregivers need to know to assess individual technologies and foster the skills needed to thrive growing up in an AI-driven future? Dr. Suskind has authored over 45 scientific publications and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a Fellow for the Council on Early Childhood. She is also the founder and Co-Director of the TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health, Founding Director of the Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program, and Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics at the University of Chicago. Her previous books include the New York Times bestsellers Parent Nation and Thirty Million Words. This conversation originally took place on July 23, 2026 at the City Club of Cleveland. Guests: - Dana Suskind, MD, Author, Human Raised: Nurturing Connection, Curiosity & Lifelong Learning in the Age of AI - Lisa Damour, PhD., Author, Psychologist, and Senior Advisor to the Schubert Center for Child Studies, Case Western Reserve University

Charlie James opens his Friday show by reminding listeners that early voting for the upcoming election closes at 5:00 PM today, with regular voting taking place on Tuesday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. He shares his experience attending the "Road to Washington" breakfast at the City Club, where Senate candidates Ralph Norman, Mark Sanford, and Russell Fry spoke and answered questions. Candidates Mark Lynch and Darlene Graham were absent; Graham submitted a pre-recorded, scripted video instead of attending in person, which sparked debate over campaign control versus voter accessibility. James reports on a straw poll from the breakfast event, where Ralph Norman led with 42.7% of the vote, followed by Russell Fry (22%), Mark Sanford (18%), Darlene Graham (16%), and Mark Lynch (1.3%). He also shares his personal experience voting early with his wife at McAlister Square, noting steady turnout, and breaks down recent early voting turnout figures across various South Carolina counties. Additionally, he addresses a listener's concern regarding delayed absentee ballots.

As Towards Employment celebrates its 50th anniversary, join the City Club and kick off the first annual Dignity of Work forum-a community conversation exploring the future of work, economic mobility, and the partnerships that create pathways to rewarding careers.rnrnAs Cleveland continues to adapt to changing labor markets and emerging industries, this conversation will offer timely insights into how workforce innovation can expand opportunity, strengthen businesses, and build a more inclusive regional economy.rnrnIn a moderated conversation, Jill Rizika will speak with Earl Buford, President of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and one of the nation's leading voices on workforce development, adult learning, and talent strategy. Together, they will explore how communities, businesses, educators, and workforce organizations can work together to ensure that every individual has access to meaningful work and opportunities for economic advancement.rnrnThis moment also serves as an opportunity to honor the legacy of Towards Employment's three transformational leaders-founder Soad Mansour, former Executive Director Walter Ginn, and retiring President & CEO Jill Rizika-whose collective leadership over the past five decades has helped thousands of Greater Cleveland residents overcome barriers to employment and build family-sustaining careers, while providing talent to our local businesses.

July 30, 2026 City Club event description: Sheriff Tom Dart has dedicated his career to challenging injustice, fighting the violence plaguing our communities, and bringing new, thoughtful approaches to public service. After serving as a prosecutor and an Illinois state legislator, Sheriff Dart was elected by the people of Cook County, and has brought his […]

Democracy works best when citizens are more informed and better understand the institutions that govern them. And advocacy work and movement building become more effective - and successful - when citizens are empowered to become active participants in shaping their communities, and their future.rnrnYet, the halls of the Ohio Statehouse can seem like an overly complex, insiders network-hard to break through. So, what really happens in the Ohio Statehouse? And what does lobbying and advocacy work actually look like, in action?rnrnAs we mark the nation's 250th birthday, the City Club's 2026 Outdoor Summer Series WE THE PEOPLE will dive into topics centering our communities, organizations, and the very people who help our democracy thrive.rnrnJoin us at the City Club for a discussion with those who know the secrets of the Statehouse, learn how to enact change from within, and find out how things really get done at the Ohio Statehouse.

Nationally, 1 in 7 children is abused before their 18th birthday, and there are over 19,000 reports of child abuse and neglect annually in Cuyahoga County alone. To help address these issues, Canopy Child Advocacy Center (CAC) opened its doors in Cuyahoga County in 2018. It was the last urban county in the country to establish a CAC, a national model for helping children and families affected by abuse and neglect.rnrnBefore the CAC, and in communities without a CAC, an abused child would have to tell their story an average of nine times to receive the services and support necessary to begin the healing process. And some abused and neglected children do not receive services at all. The innovative CAC model reduces potential trauma for children and families impacted by child abuse by having clients come to one child-friendly, trauma-informed location when they receive services and resources to begin the healing process. Today, Canopy CAC serves nearly 5,000 children and families affected by abuse and neglect, and behind every one of those numbers is a child who was believed, supported, and given a chance to heal.rnrnJoin us at the City Club as we hear directly from Jennifer Johnson, Executive Director of Canopy Child Advocacy Center, on how they are advancing child safety, addressing abuse, and supporting healing of the region's youngest victims.

As we mark the nation's 250th birthday, the City Club's 2026 Outdoor Summer Series WE THE PEOPLE will dive into topics centering our communities, organizations, and the very people who help our democracy thrive. As one of our nation's oldest democratic public spaces, libraries have become deeply integrated into our communities-meeting a wide variety of social and civic needs. Due to its wide breadth of services and role as an anchor in every Cleveland neighborhood, the Cleveland Public Library (CPL) has been dubbed "The People's University."rnrnThis summer, CPL launched One Cleveland: A citywide civic pride campaign that celebrates the people, neighborhoods, stories, and institutions that connect us as Clevelanders. Intended to mark the city's 230th birthday, One Cleveland highlights the creativity, resilience, and shared experiences that shape our city. Included as part of the campaign is the Cleveland 230 List, a recognition of 230 individuals (past and present) whose work, leadership, and impact reflect the spirit and strength of our city.

July 16, 2026 City Club event description: The inaugural class of Hope Scholars is graduating debt-free, marking a major milestone for Hope Chicago's bold two-generation investment in education and economic mobility. Launched in 2022, Hope Chicago provides students from five Chicago neighborhood high schools, along with one parent or guardian, the opportunity to pursue postsecondary […]

Part of the City Club's 2026 Outdoor Summer Series + America 250 Ohio SeriesrnWomen are at the heart of many of America's largest movements. We cannot talk about abolition without Harriet Tubman; voting rights without Susan B. Anthony; or civil rights without Rosa Parks. The American promise of liberty and self-determination was strengthened by generations of women who shaped our communities, closed gaps, and redefined what civic engagement looked like.rnrnToday, women are succeeding and leading in roles in every sector of American life, bringing a unique perspective that continues to fuel innovation and growth. At the same time, work is underway to address persistent challenges like access to paid leave, gender-based violence, and pay and wealth gaps-both here in Cleveland and across the nation.rnrnAs we mark the nation's 250th birthday, the City Club's 2026 Outdoor Summer Series WE THE PEOPLE will dive into topics centering our communities, organizations, and the very people who help our democracy thrive.rnrnJoin us as we hear from leading women in organizations that are dedicated to serving, celebrating, and empowering women in our nation's past, present, and future!

In Cuyahoga County, more than 1,700 license plate cameras, or Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs), take photos of and store license plate data. Proponents have hailed it as the next generation of safety technology, and support installation as part of the effort to crack down on crime, bring justice to victims, and promote public safety. Opponents cite concerns about privacy, data security, and abuse of data-including the turnover of information to federal officials.rnrnAI-powered surveillance, including acoustic surveillance technology like "Shotspotter" has been around for decades. Yet, this next generation of AI technology has been met with skepticism and concern. Combined with growing political tensions, the conversation in many American communities has changed: It's not whether the technology works. Rather, whether the technology should even be allowed in its current state, or even at all. Nearly every state in the nation has some form of AI-powered surveillance, and grassroots groups and national organizations are putting pressure on municipalities across the country to cancel contracts that employ it-including here in Northeast Ohio.rnrnJoin us at the City Club as Signal Cleveland's Nick Castele leads a conversation on the evolution, ethics, and future of AI-powered surveillance across the nation with Joshua Thomas, Chief Communications Officer of Flock Safety, and Dr. Jen Golbeck, Computer Scientist, AI ethics and privacy expert at the University of Maryland.

Theatre is one of humankind's most ancient art forms. For thousands of years, it has helped tell stories, share history, and entertain. It has created spaces where people gather to celebrate, mourn, and better understand the world around them. Today, theatre remains an integral part of our communities. Providing multiple points of access, whether a viewer, actor, or part of the production process, theatre continues to strengthen community connection.rnrnAs we mark the nation's 250th birthday, the City Club's 2026 Outdoor Summer Series WE THE PEOPLE will dive into topics centering our communities, organizations, and the very people who help our democracy thrive.rnrnJoin us as we welcome speakers from a few of our region's most beloved theatres, each with its own history and deep roots in their communities. They will discuss the work of their stages and the importance of theatre in our nation as an essential backbone of discourse and engagement.

July 1, 2026 City Club event description: Ten years ago, the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities was formed to reduce gun violence in Chicago. Over time, we have demonstrated that community-led efforts can make a real impact. In 2025, Chicago experienced its lowest homicide rate in six decades and saw a nearly 50 percent […]

Every summer since 2016, the City Club has packed up our gong and taken over some of our favorite outdoor public spaces. This year, we are taking over the Playhouse Square Plaza and marking our nation's semiquincentennial - or 250th birthday - with the theme WE THE PEOPLE. The series will dive into topics centering our communities, organizations, and the very people who help our democracy thrive.rnrnChef Peggy Cruz, Executive Chef at Cha'firo Catering and Eventsrn"Reach & Teach": Our goal is to travel to urban and local gardens and "Reach" the community to "Teach" families, seniors, and children how to preserve the food they grow in their own spaces and gardens. We'd like to bridge the gap between growing food and knowing how to use and preserve it throughout the winter months.rnrnChristina Hannon Luehring, Founder of Home ExecutivernEveryone tells new parents to "enjoy every minute." No one gives them the tools to survive them first. It's time to bring executive-level thinking and coaching to the leadership teams running our most important organizations - our families.rnrnWim Laven, Ph.D, Elementary TeacherrnAccepting Disability: Disabilities can be visible or hidden, and regardless of politics or policies, we are part of the community.rnrnNaimah O'Neal, HIV/AIDS Medical Social Worker at The CentersrnA 34-year HIV long-term survivor will talk about the current state of HIV laws in Ohio.rnrnStarr Solomon, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology and Criminology at Kent State UniversityrnIn collaboration with Cleveland's Police Accountability Team, Kent State University is conducting a survey designed to better understand community perceptions of safety and trust in the Cleveland Division of Police. Learn how this data can inform training for Cleveland Division of Police focused on strengthening ties with the community.rnrnPiet van Lier, Deputy Director at Honesty for Ohio EducationrnOutlining public education in Ohio, including current funding and private school vouchers.

June 30, 2026 City Club event description: From Appointment to Election: Chicago's School Board in Transition Chicago's school board is in the midst of a historic transition from an appointed body to a fully elected one. This conversation will examine the board's current state, the challenges and opportunities shaping this moment, and why it matters […]

Team NEO is not a chamber or a think tank. It is the JobsOhio network partner for Northeast Ohio with a mission to retain, expand and attract jobs, businesses, and opportunities in Northeast Ohio. At the helm as Chief Executive Officer is Matt Dolan, who is dedicated to driving economic growth and prosperity across Northeast Ohio. With a career spanning law, business, and government, Matt has a deep understanding of the region's opportunities and challenges.rnrnJoin us at the City Club as Matt Dolan provides an update on how Team NEO has evolved under his leadership and is taking responsibility to attract more businesses, jobs, and opportunities across the 14-county region.

What is the future of the Republican and Democratic parties in our nation? The answer may surprise you.rnrnAhead of the 2026 midterm elections, in an age of ideological tension where politics seems more divided than ever, a new Manhattan Institute poll is cutting through the noise-showing us all where the political right and left parties are actually headed. The findings urge us to be wary of the narratives pushed by online algorithms and corporate media, and to uncover the actual values of average Americans. This polling, for both Democrats and Republicans, provides a compelling snapshot of the challenges facing each party, and, by extension, our democracy.rnrnBehind the research is Jesse Arm, the Vice President of External Affairs at the Manhattan Institute, where he oversees communications, government relations, and polling. Before the Manhattan Institute, Jesse worked as a pollster and project manager at Applecart, an NYC-based political consulting and data analytics firm, where he advised political campaigns, advocacy organizations, trade associations, and corporations.rnrnJoin us at the City Club as Karen Kasler, Statehouse News Bureau Chief at Ohio Public Radio and Television, sits down with Jesse Arm to discuss his latest research, and what it means for communities across the nation, the politics shaping our lives, and the future of our democracy.

June 9, 2026 City Club event description: Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, born in Chicago to Haitian immigrants, brings a lifetime of legal experience and advocacy to the office. Attorney General Raoul launched his legal career as a Cook County prosecutor. Thereafter, he successively opened a general law practice, served as […]

We are no doubt navigating an incredible age of disruption. Technology, algorithms, politics, and societal pressures have changed the way we both think and work. But how do we break free from a system that was created to manipulate independent thought? In his latest book, The Tyranny of False Choices: A Guide To Authentic Decision-Making, author Rey Ramsey provides a timely and practical guide for modern leaders to better manage through tumultuous times. Using methods to support critical thinking, moral compass navigation, and resilience, Rey provides a roadmap to reclaiming courage and personal agency required in leadership in these times.rnrnRey Ramsey is President and CEO of the Nathan Cummings Foundation and a social justice entrepreneur who brings more than three decades of C-suite experience in the non-profit, public, and private sectors. Previously, Rey has served as Oregon's Director of Housing and Community Services, President and COO of Enterprise Community Partners, and Chairman of Habitat for Humanity International-to name a few.rnrnJoin us at the City Club as Cleveland Foundation's Lillian Kuri sits down with Rey Ramsey for a candid conversation about leadership in these times, and what it takes to reclaim independent thought in a world designed to manipulate it.

June 4, 2026 City Club event description: Join us for a conversation on the growing focus on healthspan and why Illinois is well positioned to lead this emerging field. As the conversation around aging shifts from simply living longer to living healthier for longer, this panel will explore the science, innovation and economic opportunity driving […]

Reflections from host Sarah Olivieri ... The Underfunding You Accept Is a Design Choice, Not a Destiny There is a belief running quietly through most of the nonprofit sector. It says that being underfunded is just part of the deal. That if you chose this work, you also chose to do it with too little money, too few people, and salaries that would never fly in the for-profit world. That belief feels like realism. It is actually a design choice. When the rules that govern your funding are unclear, unfair, or built by people who have never done your work, the organizations living inside those rules compensate. They compensate with effort. They compensate with unpaid hours. They compensate by paying staff so little that the staff themselves would qualify for the services the organization provides. Nonprofit financial sustainability does not fail because leaders aren't trying hard enough. It fails because the systems shaping the money were built badly, and most leaders treat those systems as fixed. They are not fixed. They were designed. And anything that was designed can be redesigned. The Conversation That Sharpened This I've been thinking a lot about this lately. I recently had a conversation about exactly this with Charity Fain, and it sharpened how I think about what actually creates staying power in nonprofits. Not because the ideas were new, but because they explained why certain approaches hold up over time while others quietly collapse. Underfunding Is Downstream of Rules Someone Else Wrote Here is the part most leaders miss. The reporting requirements, the admin caps, the grant structures that make no sense on the ground, none of those are facts of nature. They are decisions. Someone sat in a room and decided that 10% of a grant could go to admin, and then defined admin so broadly that it swallowed the actual cost of the work. That decision becomes your reality. You receive the grant, you read the rules, and you think, whoever designed this has no clue what it takes to do this work. You're right. They usually don't. The mistake is stopping at frustration. The structural move is recognizing that the people writing those rules are reachable. They are sitting in committees, rulemaking processes, and advisory groups, and most of those rooms are starving for the exact knowledge your organization holds. They need what you know, even when they don't know it yet. When you treat funding rules as weather, you adapt to them. When you treat them as decisions, you start influencing them. Get In The Room Before The Rule Is Written The leaders who change their funding landscape do one thing differently. They stop waiting for the grant to show up and start shaping the grant before it exists. That means putting yourself and your staff on every committee you can find. It means sitting in rooms where you are not the technical expert, saying plainly, I don't know this part yet, and I will learn it, and you don't know what low-income households actually need, so we are going to teach each other. It means being willing to be a beginner in someone else's domain in order to be the expert in your own. This is slower than writing another grant application. It is also the only thing that changes what the applications ask for in the first place. Influence happens before the rule is written, not after the grant is awarded, and the payoff is structural. You change what future funding looks like, not just what you receive this cycle. Charity put it more bluntly than I would have. As she described getting her staff onto policy committees, she said: "I just really wanted us to be sitting in those groups that were making decisions so that people had to listen to us." What I appreciate about this framing is that it explains the mechanism. Visibility inside decision-making rooms is not networking. It is infrastructure. When your organization is consistently present where the rules get made, your reality becomes part of the design input, and the rules start to fit the work instead of fighting it. Your Staff Are Part Of The Community You Serve There is a second belief that quietly drains nonprofits, and it is even more damaging than the first. It says that because you are a nonprofit, you shouldn't make money, and neither should the people who work for you. The truth is, you cannot uplift a community while keeping the people who serve it in poverty. Your staff are not separate from your mission. They are inside it. When a leader decides to pay well, the usual fear is that expenses are now permanently higher with nothing to show for it. That fear is loud, and it is wrong. Paying people properly reduces turnover. It attracts more qualified people. It keeps the talented person who would otherwise do the math and leave for a sector that pays. Over time, it pays for itself, and then some. This is not a soft, feel-good position. It is an operational one. A well-paid, stable team is a more resilient organization. Resilience is what you draw on when the hard times come, and they come for everyone eventually. Nonprofits Are Businesses, And Harder Ones SSomewhere along the way, the sector absorbed the idea that nonprofits are not real businesses. That if you worry about making payroll, you're doing something wrong. That you should never have to manage cash flow month to month. Anyone who has run a nonprofit knows this is fantasy. You do worry about payroll. You do manage cash flow. And you do it inside a model that is more complex than the for-profit version, not simpler. I've written before about the things nonprofits can learn from for-profits, and the core point is this. A nonprofit is two businesses in one, a fundraising business and an impact business, each with its own audience and its own demands. That complexity creates a specific danger. In a for-profit, if you deliver something nobody wants, the bank account drops fast and the signal is unmistakable. In a nonprofit, the signals are weak. You can run excellent programs and still struggle to raise money. You can raise plenty of money and still fail to make an impact. The feedback that tells a business something is wrong arrives late and muddy. The problems have to be hunted proactively, because they will not announce themselves. So you have to go looking. You cannot wait for the system to tell you something is broken, because by the time it does, the damage is already done. Proactive leaders build the habit of checking their own plumbing before anything floods. Build The Team That Outlasts The Crisis When I ask seasoned executive directors what makes everything else easier, the answers vary. But underneath the good ones is almost always the same move. They stopped trying to be the expert in everything. You cannot do it all yourself. You were never supposed to. The job is to build a team good enough that you can trust the finance person to know more than you about finance, and the program staff to know more than you about the program. That is the point of hiring them. New leaders often get caught believing they have to know everything and do everything. That belief is a fast track to burnout, and burnout at the top harms the entire organization, not just the person carrying it. I've talked about this at length in why one person should never carry it all. A real team is what gives an organization resilience. When the hard season arrives, and it always does, the organizations that hold are the ones where the load was already shared. What Becomes Possible When you see underfunding as a design problem instead of a fixed condition, something shifts. The frustration stops being a dead end and becomes a starting point. You stop adapting to bad rules and start influencing the rooms where they are made. Paying your people well stops feeling like a risk and starts looking like the obvious operational choice. The weight of carrying everything alone lifts, because the team is built to carry it together. None of this makes the work easy. It makes the work hold. The Work That Holds This isn't about doing less work. It's about doing work that holds up. Nonprofits can have enough money. They can pay people well. They can stop accepting rules that were never built for them. Not by suffering more quietly, but by getting into the rooms, building the team, and designing the systems that make it possible. About the Guest Charity Fain has over 25 years of experience building stronger, more resilient communities in the US and around the world. As the Executive Director, she is responsible for overall leadership and management, ensuring financial stability and growth, setting policy positions, and advancing strategic direction with the Board.   Prior to CEP, Charity worked as Executive Director at the City Club of Portland, keeping Oregonians informed about pressing public issues. Before moving to Portland, Charity also served as the Country Director for Internews Network in Kyrgyzstan, directing a program to build stronger journalists, radio stations and public interest television. Charity has a BA in International Relations from The American University in Washington, DC and also speaks Russian. Connect with Charity: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charity-fain-8003234/ Website: https://www.communityenergyproject.org/  Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don't miss a single episode, and while you're at it, won't you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated! Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

While the Red Cross is known primarily for blood drives and disaster relief, some of its most important work keeps people out of the hospital. The Home Fires Campaign has installed more than 3 million smoke alarms in homes across the country, saving thousands of lives. Emergency and disaster preparedness campaigns help communities ready themselves for weather related disasters. And CPR and First Aid training are critical to providing care at the moment people in crisis need it.rnrnMike Parks has been leading the Northern Ohio Region since 2015, after he retired as Rear Admiral from the U.S Coast Guard. In his role, Parks oversees five American Red Cross Chapters covering 31 Northern Ohio counties, serving 5.3 million people. In addition, he is frequently called on to lead disaster relief efforts, deploying for weeks to Maui to respond to the Lahaina fires, and to North Carolina after the flash floods from Hurricane Helene.rnrnJoin us for the next forum in the City Club's Local Heroes series, as we hear about the organization keeping blood in the blood banks, and our communities and neighbors safe from disaster.

June 3, 2026 City Club event description City Club video

Entrepreneurship has surged in the wake of the pandemic, and it hasn't slowed. Leading the way are women who have turned to entrepreneurship for better opportunities, flexible work schedules, and wealth creation. According to a 2026 report by Wells Fargo, women-owned businesses grew 12% from 2022 to 2025, nearly double the growth rate for businesses owned by men. These women-led enterprises now employ 12.6 million people and generate $2.8 trillion in revenue.rnrnThe same report ranked Cleveland sixth among the nation's Top 10 Metropolitan Statistical Areas in 2025 for its ability to foster the long-term growth and success of women-owned businesses. What sets Cleveland apart from its peer cities in terms of growth and opportunity? And what partnerships and initiatives are finding success in ensuring every woman has access to the capital, training, networks, and mentorship they need to achieve their dreams?rnrnAisha Childers is a Cleveland-based entrepreneur and operator leading multiple organizations across early childhood education, food service, and community-based event spaces.rnrnNathalie A. Dibo is the Founder and Managing Partner of Dibo Law, LLC, where she leads a team of attorneys focused on business litigation, real estate and business law, and estate planning and probate.rnrnNitina Francis is the Director of the Women's Business Center of Central Ohio at ECDI, where she leads programs that support and grow women-owned businesses across the region.rnrnJoin us at the City Club as Huntington Bank's Roshonda Smith leads a candid conversation on the current challenges, opportunities, and landscape of women in entrepreneurship across Northeast Ohio.

May 26, 2026 City Club event description: The Sankofa Village Wellness Center stands as a major new investment in West Garfield Park and a powerful example of community-centered development in Chicago. A flagship project of the Pritzker Traubert Foundation, the center reflects a long-term vision for health, wellness and neighborhood opportunity, rooted in the legacy […]

Essential-and foundational-to our democracy is the promise of a free and fair press. Civic life thrives when the relationship between media and government remains strong, transparent, and accountable. This is especially true at the local level, where access to trusted journalism directly shapes meaningful community engagement.rnrnIn Cleveland, the City is working to modernize operations and reassert its legacy in industry, growth, and innovation. Lakefront and downtown development have dominated recent headlines, alongside major initiatives focused on public safety and neighborhood stabilization.rnrnJoin the City Club, in partnership with The Press Club of Cleveland, for a timely conversation with Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and WKYC's Russ Mitchell on the role of journalism in civic life-and what we can learn from the City's efforts to build what has been called "The Cleveland Era."

Cleveland is known as the birthplace of rock and roll, as in the 1950s DJ Alan Freed coined the phrase. The city is stands at the center of iconic rock moments, from The Beatles' first concert in 1964 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, to David Bowie's 1972 Ziggy Stardust U.S. debut. The region is home to rockers like The James Gang, Devo, The Black Keys, Nine Inch Nails, and more. But with all that history, the live music ecosystem continues to face challenges. Rising costs for artists, venues, and consumers have stretched budgets across the board. Reporting from last show shows that only 25% of independent music venues were able to turn a profit. Tuesday on the "Sound of Ideas," we bring you a recent City Club of Cleveland conversation the looks back at the history of music in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, as well as asks what the future holds for our region. Guests: - Greg Harris, President and CEO, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum - Sean Watterson, Co-Owner, The Happy Dog; President, Ohio Chapter, Independent Venue Association - Annie Zaleski, Music Journalist

May 20, 2026 City Club event description: Speaker Larry B. Snelling Larry B. Snelling is Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Superintendent Snelling joined CPD in 1992 as a patrol officer in his home community of Englewood. This type of community-based policing experience remained core to his values and his experience as he ascended through […]

Work is full of communication. Slack messages. Zoom calls. Meetings stacked on meetings. But many teams still struggle to do the one thing that matters most: connect in ways that build trust, insight, and better thinking together. It's like we're starving at a buffet.rnrnAnn Kowal Smith, founder and CEO of Reflection Point, will argue that a successful future (at work and beyond) depends not only on new technology, but on enduring human capacities: listening, empathy, curiosity, challenging assumptions, and disagreeing respectfully. Reflection Point helps organizations develop these five skills through shared discussions about literature, using stories as a practical tool for culture building and stronger collaboration.rnrnJoining Ann is Randell McShepard, Vice President of Public Affairs and Chief Talent Officer at RPM, who will discuss why his company sees these critical capacities as essential to leadership, culture, and performance.rnrnJoin us at the City Club for a unique forum featuring a live Reflection Point demonstration using a provocative short story. Together, the conversation will show how stories can help teams think more deeply, relate more honestly, and work better together.

Part of The Cleveland Orchestra's Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Opera and Humanities FestivalrnrnThroughout 2026, and in partnership with the America 250-Ohio Commission, the City Club will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States by exploring all the ways that Ohio has contributed to U.S. history for 250+ years. In May, our state will recognize Ohio Creates: Arts, Culture, and Literature.rnrnFor decades, The Cleveland Orchestra has consistently ranked among the very best orchestras in the world. Their excellence has kept Northeast Ohio in global arts and culture conversations and as a place where world-class art can thrive. Beginning in 2023, The Cleveland Orchestra and Music Director Franz Welser-M?st launched the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Opera & Humanities Festival-a new tradition of innovative opera presentations that tackles themes like "Reconciliation," "Power," and "The American Dream." The festival's inaugural edition was praised by The New York Times as a "compelling proof of concept" and "an ambitious achievement." This year, the festival will explore the theme of "Courage." It centers Beethoven's only opera, Fidelio, which serves as a testament to courage and human nobility.rnrnYet, what does opera mean today, and what might it become? At the heart of the Festival is a new creative partnership with American jazz trumpeter and opera composer Terence Blanchard. He will be joined on the City Club stage by tenor David Butt Philip, who appears as Florestan in Beethoven's Fidelio, and Emmy-winning soprano Adrienne Danrich.

May 13, 2026 City Club event description: Over the past 25 years, more than 400 organizations have earned Chicago Innovation Awards. This panel brings together several winners to share how they built their success, the lessons they learned along the way, and how they are reinvesting in Chicago's innovation ecosystem. Speakers Amanda Lannert Amanda Lannert […]

Join us live now on #texasvaluesreport with special guest Gabriella McIntyre, Legal Counsel for ⁨@AllianceDefends⁩ Center for Life, & host Jonathan Saenz, President & Attorney for Texas Values, as they discuss the chemical abortion case currently pending a decision by the U. S. Supreme Court. Follow Alliance Defending Freedom on X http://x.com/ADFLegal Breaking! Texas at Supreme Court: Brief Filed Opposing Abortion Pill Schemes https://txvalues.org/breaking-texas-at-supreme-court-brief-filed-opposing-abortion-pill-schemes/ For pro-life resources in the state of Texas, visit https://lovethembothtexas.com/ Ten Commandments Press Conference & Poster Donation at Lake Travis ISD https://youtu.be/8HaaADU028o Learn more about the Texas Ten Commandments Law and purchase posters for your school district at https://tencommandmentstexas.com/ Connect with us at info@txvalues.org Join us for Texas Values & Texas Values Action Fort Worth Benefit Dinner Saturday, May 16 at City Club of Fort Worth. We have a few tickets left…register today! https://txvalues.org/events Keynote: Senator Phil King, Author of the Texas Ten Commandments Law / Emcee: Leigh Wambsganss of Patriot Mobile / Patriotic music performance by: Natasha Owens / Special Guest: Senator Mayes Middleton Help us build our channel so we can maintain a culture of Faith, Family, & Freedom in Texas by interacting with us; like, comment, share, subscribe! For more about Texas Values see: Txvalues.org To support our work, go to http://txvalues.org/give/

With global security in question, geopolitics intensifying, and democratic values facing increasing threats, the international order has no doubt faced mounting pressure. At the center of these dynamics is the German Marshall Fund (GMF), a nonpartisan organization that for over five decades has worked to strengthen the transatlantic partnership and prepare it for the challenges of the 21st century. At its core, GMF believes that deep cooperation between the U.S. and Europe is key to navigating today's complex political and economic landscape.rnrnDr. Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer became President and CEO of GMF in 2024-the first European woman to take over the post. With over twenty years of experience at the intersection of international relations, policy research, and public engagement, she is a leading transatlantic voice on geopolitics, European affairs, U.S.-Europe relations, and corporate diplomacy. Her expertise has shaped how governments, businesses, and international institutions across the Atlantic approach defense, diplomacy, and geoeconomics. Before joining GMF, Dr. de Hoop Scheffer held senior advisory and research positions in the French government, academia, and international organizations.rnrnJoin us at the City Club as we hear from Dr. Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer of the German Marshall Fund, and what it will take to strengthen transatlantic security, advance economic and technological competitiveness, and adapt to an ever-shifting global landscape.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost will not finish his term through the end of this year. Instead, he is joining the Alliance Defending Freedom as vice president for strategic research and innovation. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. addressed a crowd at The City Club of Cleveland last night while protesters lined the Euclid Avenue sidewalk outside. An independent review of the Akron Police Department recommends 58 action steps to improve policing. The recommendations include expanded training focused on crisis intervention and alternatives to force during encounters involving people experiencing mental health crises. And Cleveland has launched a trapping program to help residents deal with nuisance critters. For years, City Council has received complaints about groundhogs, raccoons and skunks. These stories and other news of the week are included in Friday's Reporters Roundtable. Guests: - Glenn Forbes, Deputy Editor of News, Ideastream Public Media - Zaria Johnson, Reporter, Ideastream Public Media - Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost will not finish his term through the end of this year. Instead, he is joining the Alliance Defending Freedom as vice president for strategic research and innovation. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. addressed a crowd at The City Club of Cleveland last night while protesters lined the Euclid Avenue sidewalk outside. An independent review of the Akron Police Department recommends 58 action steps to improve policing. The recommendations include expanded training focused on crisis intervention and alternatives to force during encounters involving people experiencing mental health crises. And Cleveland has launched a trapping program to help residents deal with nuisance critters. For years, City Council has received complaints about groundhogs, raccoons and skunks. These stories and other news of the week are included in Friday's Reporters Roundtable. Guests: - Glenn Forbes, Deputy Editor of News, Ideastream Public Media - Zaria Johnson, Reporter, Ideastream Public Media - Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau

May 7, 2026 City Club event description: More than 700,000 Cook County residents rely on SNAP, and federal policy changes now under debate could reshape who qualifies, how benefits are administered, and what local systems are left to absorb. This conversation brings together Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, Greater Chicago Food Depository CEO Kate Maehr, […]

In his first year, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has been responsible for some of the most sweeping public health reforms in modern history. rnrnHHS has lowered drug prices by aligning what the U.S. pays for certain drugs with the lowest prices paid in other developed countries and launching TrumpRx to give patients direct access to those lower prices. Partnering with USDA, HHS released the Dietary Guidelines and flipped the food pyramid with one simple message: eat real food. The FDA has removed several petroleum-based dyes from the American food supply and is closing the GRAS loophole to reduce harmful chemicals in food. With HHS's encouragement, more than 50 medical schools have voluntarily expanded nutrition education from an average of 4 hours to more than 40. HHS has also committed $50 billion over the next five years to drive innovation in rural health. And as part of President Trump's Great American Recovery initiative, HHS is overhauling addiction and mental health care by shifting from a fee-for-service system to an outcomes-based model.rnrnSecretary Kennedy's leadership is reshaping how Americans eat, live, and take care of their own health, with a stated goal of putting prevention first and shifting the nation from a so called "sick-care" system to a true healthcare system.rnrnAs part of the City Club's commitment to engaging leaders shaping the nation's future, we welcome Secretary Kennedy to discuss HHS priorities and engage directly with the community.

Join us on #texasvaluesreport with special guest Lydia Taylor Davis, Spokesperson for Students for Life of America , & guest host Mary Elizabeth Castle, Director of Government Relations for Texas Values, as they discuss the danger of abortion pills on mothers and their babies after a Fifth Circuit ruling that reveals the truth we know about dangerous abortion drugs. *On Monday, May 4, the U. S. Supreme Court stayed an emergency appeal for the chemical abortion pill, allowing access to the abortion drugs until the Court takes up the issue. Follow Lydia Taylor Davis on X https://x.com/lydiataydavis Breaking! Appeals Court Knocks Biden Rule Allowing Mail Order Abortions, U. S. Supreme Court to Take Up Issue https://txvalues.org/breaking-appeals-court-knocks-biden-rule-allowing-mail-order-abortions-u-s-supreme-court-to-take-up-issue/ Learn more about chemical abortion at http://thisischemicalabortion.org/ Attor­ney Gen­er­al Pax­ton Announces Inves­ti­ga­tions into Texas ISDs Across the State to Ensure the Dis­tricts are Dis­play­ing the Ten Com­mand­ments and Have Tak­en a Board Vote to Allow Prayer in Schools https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-paxton-announces-investigations-texas-isds-across-state-ensure-districts-are Learn more about the Texas Ten Commandments Law http://tencommandmentstexas.com Join us for Texas Values & Texas Values Action Fort Worth Benefit Dinner Saturday, May 16 at City Club of Fort Worth. Register today! https://txvalues.org/events Keynote: Senator Phil King, Author of the Texas Ten Commandments Law / Emcee: Leigh Wambsganss of Patriot Mobile / Patriotic music performance by: Natasha Owens / Special Guest: Senator Mayes MiddletonHelp us build our channel so we can maintain a culture of Faith, Family, & Freedom in Texas by interacting with us; like, comment, share, subscribe!

This is the 250th episode of Lay of The Land, and to mark it, I wanted to do something a little different.Most episodes of this podcast are centered on founder stories — what drives someone to take the very difficult leap of trying to build a company, what problem they feel compelled enough to devote their life to solving, and what they learn along the way. But for this milestone episode, I wanted to step back and talk about the thing that ties these stories together… the community itself. And there was no one I'd rather have for that conversation than Chris Heivly.Chris is a serial entrepreneur, early-stage investor, startup community builder, and the founder of Build The Fort. He's also was a co-founder of MapQuest, a bestselling author, a longtime writer and speaker on entrepreneurship and ecosystem development, and someone whose thinking had a real influence on the direction of Lay of The Land when I was starting it back in 2018…  Chris came to Cleveland in 2018 and shared his assessment of our startup community through Techstars and at the City Club, and a lot of what he said stayed with me and this podcast became my own attempt to act on it.Over the last 250 episodes, Lay of The Land has grown into something much bigger than I originally imagined — not just a repository of entrepreneurial stories, but a kind of connective tissue for entrepreneurship in Cleveland: dozens of events, thousands of introductions, new friendships, mentorship relationships, hires, investments, co-founders, and I'm sure many second- and third-order effects I'll never fully know about. So for this episode, it felt worth reflecting more directly on this whole journey and linger on how entrepreneurial communities actually form, what makes them stronger, what gets in their way, and what that has looked like here in Cleveland.In our conversation, Chris and I talk about what he saw when he first came to Cleveland, why density and storytelling mattered so much in his original assessment, why founders have to be at heart of it, why confidence is contagious, why you have to build upon your credible strengths…we talk about the Give First mentality, about mentorship, trust, meaningful connection, the limits of top-down ecosystem design, and how cities actually get better.Chris has spent years studying how startup communities form, evolve, and endure. I'm grateful to Chris for joining me, and grateful to all of you who've listened, shared, supported, and helped make 250 episodes possible and will help make the next 250 possible.00:00: Introduction07:40: Ecosystems13:02: Storytelling18:33: Give First24:34: Strengths in Community29:48: Meaningful Connections38:45: Human Complexity43:31: Mentorship48:51: The Role of Capital58:38: A Novel01:04:04: Reflections01:08:54 Outro-----LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisheivly/https://heivly.com/https://buildthefort.com/City Club Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc4zWbXURU8&t=2s-----SPONSOR:Cerity PartnersCerity Partners, a full-service investment and wealth management firm serving high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and business owners, is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. The firm has local roots in Cleveland and across Ohio, and like this podcast, Cerity Partners advisors specialize in serving the interests of local entrepreneurs and business leaders. The firm's national presence means it can offer the resources and specialized knowledge of the largest institutions with the independence and service of a neighbor. The Cerity Partners Cleveland team understands the complexity that comes with wealth, and they adhere to fiduciary standards. Discover the financial lay of your land.Learn more at ceritypartners.com/NPR or call 216-464-6266.Roundstone InsuranceRoundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company's passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs. Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland.Learn more at https://roundstoneinsurance.com/-----Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here: https://layoftheland.ck.page/5f0c1e28faConnect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayofthelandhttps://www.jeffreys.page/

Perhaps better than anything else, food has the unique power to transport us back in time and evoke memories, a feeling, or a moment of our lives. In Bite by Bite: Nourishments and Jamborees, poet and essayist Aimee Nezhukumatathil explores the way food and drink evoke our associations and remembrances-a subtext or layering, a flavor tinged with joy, shame, exuberance, grief, desire, or nostalgia. It is an illustrated, lyrical memoir told in short essays that reminds us all to slow down and reflect on food's universal power to shape who we are, how we connect with others, and the joy of being present.rnrnBorn to a Filipino mother and Malayali Indian father, Aimee Nezhukumatathil is the author of five books of poetry, Bite by Bite is her second essay collection, which was named a Barnes and Noble Best Book of 2024. Aimee is known for her dynamic and joy-filled teaching. For a decade, she served as the poetry editor for Orion and Sierra magazines. A professor of English and Creative Writing for over twenty-five years, she also serves as a firefly guide for Mississippi State Parks.rnrnJoin us at the City Club, and in partnership with the 2026 Cuyahoga County NEA Big Read, as author and poet Aimee Nezhukumatathil sits down with Lit Cleveland's Matt Weinkam to discuss how food marks our experiences and identities and explore the boundaries between heritage and memory.rnrn-----rnrnThis program is part of "BITE INTO BOOKS," the 2026 Cuyahoga County NEA Big Read led by Heights Libraries in collaboration with Cleveland Public Library, Cuyahoga County Public Library, East Cleveland Public Library, Euclid Public Library, Rocky River Public Library, Shaker Library, Westlake Porter Public Library, and various community partners. Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. Dig in at cuyahogareads.org.

Join us live on #texasvaluesreport with special guest Coach Joe Kennedy, who won the Football Prayer Case at the U. S. Supreme Court, & guest host Jonathan Covey, Policy Director for Texas Values, as they celebrate a monumental victory for the Texas Ten Commandments Law in Federal Appeals Court! Tune in to hear how Coach Kennedy's case played a major role in the court's decision. Follow Coach Kennedy on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/coachjoekennedyofficial Breaking! Fifth Circuit Upholds Texas Ten Commandments Law https://txvalues.org/breaking-fifth-circuit-upholds-texas-ten-commandments-law/ Ten Commandments Law Upheld: Time for School Districts to Comply https://txvalues.org/ten-commandments-law-upheld-time-for-school-districts-to-comply/ Video update: Breaking! Texas Ten Commandments Law Wins in Federal Court https://youtu.be/hzPezaaZnUs Press Conference: Monumental Victory in Federal Court for Texas Ten Commandments Law! https://youtu.be/fRnNmQspdAI Learn more about the Texas Ten Commandments Law and purchase posters for your school district at https://tencommandmentstexas.com/ Texas Values is proud to be sponsors of National Day of Prayer hosted by Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare on May 7, 11:30am-1pm at the Hurst Conference Center in Hurst, TX with Brooke Rollins, https://www.tcnationaldayofprayer.com/ Join us for Texas Values & Texas Values Action Fort Worth Benefit Dinner Saturday, May 16 at City Club of Fort Worth. Register today! https://txvalues.org/events Emcee: Leigh Wambsganss of Patriot Mobile / Patriotic music performance by: Natasha Owens **keynote speaker and special guests to be announced soon Registration for Texas Faith Fest coming soon! Stay tuned for details. https://texasfaithfest.com/ Help us build our channel so we can maintain a culture of Faith, Family, & Freedom in Texas by interacting with us; like, comment, share, subscribe! For more about Texas Values see: Txvalues.org To support our work, go to txvalues.org/give

Join us on #TexasValuesReport with special guest Senator Phil King (SD-10),

The 2026 Midterm Election reminds us that every election matters. As the nation prepares for this critical moment in our democracy, it is a moment to learn how justice-impacted individuals in Cleveland and beyond are shaping the fabric of our communities. What are community and faith-based organizations doing today-and what they can do in the future-to center and elevate justice-impacted voices in shaping our communities?rnrnIn partnership with Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry, the conversation will also discuss ways to support efforts that ensure the lived experiences and perspectives of those impacted by the criminal legal system are heard in places of power and influence, helping shape public policy that recognizes the power of second chances.rnrnJoin us for the City Club's Annual Charles R. See Forum on Reentry as a powerhouse panel explores the importance of year-round civic engagement and community involvement for justice-impacted individuals before, during, and after Election Day.

When the Great Migration began in the early 20th century, there were very few fully established intercity bus lines. In 1930, through the consolidation of more than 100 different bus lines, the Greyhound Corporation began offering a different kind of experience for millions of passengers every year, many of whom were leaving the South to establish new lives in northern cities, such as Cleveland, Detroit, and Chicago, and cities in the West.rnrnThe work of historian Robert Edwards focuses on the architecture of the Great Migration--the spaces, built environments, and vehicles essential to the experience of the journey north and west. In recent years, Edwards acquired and is restoring a vintage 1947 Greyhound Bus, destined to become an interactive museum experience.rnrnAs we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding, we welcome Edwards to the City Club to offer his unique and compelling perspective on this integral part of our shared history and the journey that shaped our community.

If medicine is a calling, MetroHealth's new President and CEO Christine Alexander-Rager, MD, has been on call for as long as she can remember. Wanting to be a doctor from a young age, Dr. Alexander served as a physician with MetroHealth for nearly three decades. During this time, Dr. Alexander founded MetroHealth's nationally recognized School Health Program, which partners with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and other school systems to bring in-school clinics, mobile units, and other services to students and their families. She also sparked the creation of MetroHealth's medical outreach to the homeless.rnrnAs of October 2024, she has served as the System's President and CEO, and is clear about her top priority. "I think I'd like to be known as the CEO who really focused us on the importance of patients and the importance of our collective community," she says.rnrnJoin us at the City Club as The Center for Community Solutions' Emily Campbell sits down in conversation with MetroHealth's Dr. Christine Alexander-Rager on the progress, challenges, and future vision for The MetroHealth System.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ryan Wilson. Co-founder and CEO of The Gathering Spot (TGS), joins host Rushion McDonald to discuss his entrepreneurial journey, the creation and expansion of The Gathering Spot, and the broader mission of building community, economic opportunity, and cultural pride for Black professionals and creatives. Wilson explains that while TGS officially opened in Atlanta in 2016, the idea began years earlier when he was a law student in Washington, D.C. What started as a reimagining of the traditional private city club became a national platform combining community, collaboration, events, workspaces, and eventually fintech tools. Despite major obstacles—most notably being rejected by 97 potential investors—Wilson persisted, driven by a clear sense of purpose and belief in the unmet needs of Black and minority communities. The conversation highlights Atlanta’s importance as the launch city, the power of community-driven spaces, and the need to move beyond performative diversity efforts toward sustainable, scalable Black-owned businesses. Purpose of the Interview The primary purpose of the interview is to: Inspire entrepreneurs, especially young and underrepresented founders, to pursue their ideas despite resistance. Explain the mission and impact of The Gathering Spot as more than a coworking space—positioning it as a cultural, economic, and social hub. Encourage long-term thinking about Black business growth, community wealth, and access to financial tools. Provide real-world lessons about fundraising, resilience, leadership, and community building. Key Takeaways 1. Success Is a Process, Not an Overnight Event Wilson emphasizes that The Gathering Spot took years of planning, pitching, and rejection before launching. The popular narrative of “instant success” hides the real work required. Takeaway: Consistency and belief matter more than early validation. 2. Rejection Can Be a Signal You’re Early—Not Wrong Wilson was told “no” 97 times before securing his first investor. Instead of discouragement, he saw rejection as proof that he was pursuing something others couldn’t yet see. Takeaway: If everyone understands your idea immediately, you might not be pushing far enough. 3. Atlanta Was a Strategic and Cultural Choice Atlanta was selected because of its Black leadership, business ecosystem, cultural influence, and sense of communal support. Wilson describes the city as both big and intimate—ideal for relationship building. Takeaway: Location matters, especially when building community-centered businesses. 4. The Gathering Spot Is About Belonging and Pride TGS intentionally celebrates Black culture while remaining open to all. The experience is designed to feel warm, affirming, and professional—something many members had never encountered in adult spaces. Takeaway: Spaces are never neutral; design should be intentional about who feels welcomed and valued. 5. Community Is the Product While TGS offers buildings, events, restaurants, and workspaces, Wilson is clear that the network is the real value—introducing people who otherwise may never meet. Takeaway: Relationships create opportunity faster than resources alone. 6. Fintech Is About Real Access, Not Just Education Wilson explains that after years of hosting conversations about money and wealth, TGS realized the next step was providing actual financial tools, not just dialogue. Takeaway: Empowerment requires both knowledge and access. 7. DEI Without Results Is Performative Wilson and McDonald discuss the post-2020 slowdown in corporate DEI efforts. Wilson challenges organizations to focus less on optics and more on outcomes—specifically business scale and job creation. Takeaway: The goal isn’t to “look good losing,” but to win sustainably. Notable Quotes On rejection: “It was 97 people that told us no in a row before we got to our first yes.” On purpose: “My mission is to connect people. I’m a community builder.” On fear and timing: “I didn’t want to have any regrets about not trying.” On intentional design: “I was thinking about Black folks when we were building The Gathering Spot.” On DEI efforts: “Do you really want to win or look good losing?” On scale and impact: “It’s not enough to start Black-owned businesses—we have to watch them grow.” #SHMS #BEST #STRAWSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ryan Wilson. Co-founder and CEO of The Gathering Spot (TGS), joins host Rushion McDonald to discuss his entrepreneurial journey, the creation and expansion of The Gathering Spot, and the broader mission of building community, economic opportunity, and cultural pride for Black professionals and creatives. Wilson explains that while TGS officially opened in Atlanta in 2016, the idea began years earlier when he was a law student in Washington, D.C. What started as a reimagining of the traditional private city club became a national platform combining community, collaboration, events, workspaces, and eventually fintech tools. Despite major obstacles—most notably being rejected by 97 potential investors—Wilson persisted, driven by a clear sense of purpose and belief in the unmet needs of Black and minority communities. The conversation highlights Atlanta’s importance as the launch city, the power of community-driven spaces, and the need to move beyond performative diversity efforts toward sustainable, scalable Black-owned businesses. Purpose of the Interview The primary purpose of the interview is to: Inspire entrepreneurs, especially young and underrepresented founders, to pursue their ideas despite resistance. Explain the mission and impact of The Gathering Spot as more than a coworking space—positioning it as a cultural, economic, and social hub. Encourage long-term thinking about Black business growth, community wealth, and access to financial tools. Provide real-world lessons about fundraising, resilience, leadership, and community building. Key Takeaways 1. Success Is a Process, Not an Overnight Event Wilson emphasizes that The Gathering Spot took years of planning, pitching, and rejection before launching. The popular narrative of “instant success” hides the real work required. Takeaway: Consistency and belief matter more than early validation. 2. Rejection Can Be a Signal You’re Early—Not Wrong Wilson was told “no” 97 times before securing his first investor. Instead of discouragement, he saw rejection as proof that he was pursuing something others couldn’t yet see. Takeaway: If everyone understands your idea immediately, you might not be pushing far enough. 3. Atlanta Was a Strategic and Cultural Choice Atlanta was selected because of its Black leadership, business ecosystem, cultural influence, and sense of communal support. Wilson describes the city as both big and intimate—ideal for relationship building. Takeaway: Location matters, especially when building community-centered businesses. 4. The Gathering Spot Is About Belonging and Pride TGS intentionally celebrates Black culture while remaining open to all. The experience is designed to feel warm, affirming, and professional—something many members had never encountered in adult spaces. Takeaway: Spaces are never neutral; design should be intentional about who feels welcomed and valued. 5. Community Is the Product While TGS offers buildings, events, restaurants, and workspaces, Wilson is clear that the network is the real value—introducing people who otherwise may never meet. Takeaway: Relationships create opportunity faster than resources alone. 6. Fintech Is About Real Access, Not Just Education Wilson explains that after years of hosting conversations about money and wealth, TGS realized the next step was providing actual financial tools, not just dialogue. Takeaway: Empowerment requires both knowledge and access. 7. DEI Without Results Is Performative Wilson and McDonald discuss the post-2020 slowdown in corporate DEI efforts. Wilson challenges organizations to focus less on optics and more on outcomes—specifically business scale and job creation. Takeaway: The goal isn’t to “look good losing,” but to win sustainably. Notable Quotes On rejection: “It was 97 people that told us no in a row before we got to our first yes.” On purpose: “My mission is to connect people. I’m a community builder.” On fear and timing: “I didn’t want to have any regrets about not trying.” On intentional design: “I was thinking about Black folks when we were building The Gathering Spot.” On DEI efforts: “Do you really want to win or look good losing?” On scale and impact: “It’s not enough to start Black-owned businesses—we have to watch them grow.” #SHMS #BEST #STRAWSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ryan Wilson. Co-founder and CEO of The Gathering Spot (TGS), joins host Rushion McDonald to discuss his entrepreneurial journey, the creation and expansion of The Gathering Spot, and the broader mission of building community, economic opportunity, and cultural pride for Black professionals and creatives. Wilson explains that while TGS officially opened in Atlanta in 2016, the idea began years earlier when he was a law student in Washington, D.C. What started as a reimagining of the traditional private city club became a national platform combining community, collaboration, events, workspaces, and eventually fintech tools. Despite major obstacles—most notably being rejected by 97 potential investors—Wilson persisted, driven by a clear sense of purpose and belief in the unmet needs of Black and minority communities. The conversation highlights Atlanta’s importance as the launch city, the power of community-driven spaces, and the need to move beyond performative diversity efforts toward sustainable, scalable Black-owned businesses. Purpose of the Interview The primary purpose of the interview is to: Inspire entrepreneurs, especially young and underrepresented founders, to pursue their ideas despite resistance. Explain the mission and impact of The Gathering Spot as more than a coworking space—positioning it as a cultural, economic, and social hub. Encourage long-term thinking about Black business growth, community wealth, and access to financial tools. Provide real-world lessons about fundraising, resilience, leadership, and community building. Key Takeaways 1. Success Is a Process, Not an Overnight Event Wilson emphasizes that The Gathering Spot took years of planning, pitching, and rejection before launching. The popular narrative of “instant success” hides the real work required. Takeaway: Consistency and belief matter more than early validation. 2. Rejection Can Be a Signal You’re Early—Not Wrong Wilson was told “no” 97 times before securing his first investor. Instead of discouragement, he saw rejection as proof that he was pursuing something others couldn’t yet see. Takeaway: If everyone understands your idea immediately, you might not be pushing far enough. 3. Atlanta Was a Strategic and Cultural Choice Atlanta was selected because of its Black leadership, business ecosystem, cultural influence, and sense of communal support. Wilson describes the city as both big and intimate—ideal for relationship building. Takeaway: Location matters, especially when building community-centered businesses. 4. The Gathering Spot Is About Belonging and Pride TGS intentionally celebrates Black culture while remaining open to all. The experience is designed to feel warm, affirming, and professional—something many members had never encountered in adult spaces. Takeaway: Spaces are never neutral; design should be intentional about who feels welcomed and valued. 5. Community Is the Product While TGS offers buildings, events, restaurants, and workspaces, Wilson is clear that the network is the real value—introducing people who otherwise may never meet. Takeaway: Relationships create opportunity faster than resources alone. 6. Fintech Is About Real Access, Not Just Education Wilson explains that after years of hosting conversations about money and wealth, TGS realized the next step was providing actual financial tools, not just dialogue. Takeaway: Empowerment requires both knowledge and access. 7. DEI Without Results Is Performative Wilson and McDonald discuss the post-2020 slowdown in corporate DEI efforts. Wilson challenges organizations to focus less on optics and more on outcomes—specifically business scale and job creation. Takeaway: The goal isn’t to “look good losing,” but to win sustainably. Notable Quotes On rejection: “It was 97 people that told us no in a row before we got to our first yes.” On purpose: “My mission is to connect people. I’m a community builder.” On fear and timing: “I didn’t want to have any regrets about not trying.” On intentional design: “I was thinking about Black folks when we were building The Gathering Spot.” On DEI efforts: “Do you really want to win or look good losing?” On scale and impact: “It’s not enough to start Black-owned businesses—we have to watch them grow.” #SHMS #BEST #STRAWSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For several years, data centers have been touted as the next frontier of economic development. Household names like Meta, Amazon, and Google are home to some of these centers, and the rising consumer demand for digital technologies like Artificial Intelligence has also contributed to the growth. Ohio is now home to roughly 200 of these facilities. These centers have generated an increased demand for energy resources and a fight over who will pay for the infrastructure and costs. And at the core of the debate are concerns over environmental impacts. What are the facts and common myths behind these data centers? And is Ohio prepared for these new demands on energy and water sources?rnrnrnJoin us at the City Club as we hear from local experts on how we can support responsible economic development, while protecting our natural resources and communities.

Our Constitutional Republic is dependent on an independent and trustworthy Judiciary to maintain an effective balance of power with the Executive and Legislative branches. With pressures and threats to the safety of judges at the state and federal level at an all-time high, retired Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor (R) and former Justice Mike Donnelly (D) have teamed up in a bipartisan effort to speak up for the judicial system and the fundamental importance of the Rule of Law that underpins it. The Justices will also discuss what everyday Americans can do to support the Rule of Law in their communities.rnrnJoin us at the City Club for a conversation, moderated by Sound of Ideas host Stephanie Haney, that will focus on the efforts of the Justices to organize judges and lawyers from across Ohio to fully live out their oaths to the Constitution and the practice of law during these turbulent times.