Your neighborhood:
Avondale
What toppings are on a perfect pizza?
Bacon, Pepp, Cheese, Peppers & onions. Has to be thin crust though.
What is your role within the company?
Outreach & Expansion Coordinator
Why does the work that MORTAR is doing in communities matter?
MORTAR’s work in communities matter because the communities in which we serve have the potential to grow from an entrepreneurship model that influences economic change. I believe the heart of MORTAR’s work is influenced by lived experiences, whether good or bad, but it’s in sharing these lived experiences within communities that truly help transform them and create a lasting impact.
If you could only listen to one musician/artist/band for the rest of your life, who would that be? Why?
Stevie Wonder. He’s about the only artist that I can think of that has a song for every mood.
If you could be the mayor of Cincinnati for a day, what’s one thing that you would change?
If I was mayor of Cincinnati for a day I would want to figure out a way to collectively mobilize people in the community. Elected officials and representatives are great, but I believe its the grassroots efforts of everyday people that create impactful change. The great J. Cole said “I know you desperate for a change at the pen glide, but only real change comes from inside” when mobilizing individuals the efforts for change become ingrained in the community, the new norm; therefore empowering the people and removing the exaggerated reliability on local government.
Share your thoughts on the idea of “Building businesses. Transforming cities.”
I think that this idea is crucial for economic, social, and political growth. The revenue generated from and the diversity of businesses is what makes a city attractive, and its the success of the cities business that influences the economic, social and political growth. By seeking to build businesses we are taking an active role in transforming the city because we see and believe in the influence that it has.
Final thoughts?
We all have an active role to play in transforming our communities; whether it’s leadership, support, or organizing the point is that it’s all ACTIVE. That means the time for being passive is an idea that must be put behind us. We must never get tired of doing what’s good even in the midst of the adversity, I’ve found that most often the biggest successes followed some of my toughest obstacles. There will probably come a time where you question if what you’re doing is worth it or it may even feel like you may be doing it alone, it’s in those time that you must remember some of the most memorable artist, creatives, and innovators of our time probably never saw the effect of their greatest works but that doesn’t change the impact that was felt throughout the global community.
