The Buzz: Cincinnati OH
March 27-30, 2018
In 2016 and 2017 the Footprint Foundation convened a group of 25 Chattanoogans on a bus trip, named The Buzz, to bring a diverse group of people together to learn from and about another city as well about each other.
Our first trip to Asheville, NC studied the roles of food, craft, and culture on the city's strong sense of place. Last year, The Buzz went to Louisville, KY to discuss inclusivity and the opportunity divide that we see in so many Southern cities.
In 2018 The Buzz headed to Cincinnati, OH and, because it is such an important issue, we’ll again discuss inclusion and opportunity so that we can broaden and continue conversations when we get back home.
We often hear about Chattanooga being at a remarkable point in its history—creating new opportunities in technology, entrepreneurship, education and more for our friends and neighbors. But is this true? Are all of our neighbors benefiting from living here? Are opportunities being created for everyone… and if not, where are the gaps?
To help us consider the answer to these questions, we met with those working to discuss equity and the opportunity gap in Cincinnati - people who are working for greater inclusivity among populations that are often overlooked and underserved, people who are using creative thinking to create progress and hope, people who are already working to connect those who have opportunity and those who don’t.
These Chattanoogans accepted our invitation to get on the buzz for this “residency on wheels” that included site visits, meetings with culturemakers. thoughtful discussion—and since we took a bus, we engaged in collaborative exercises on the trip up and the trip back.
BUZZERS
Jose Alfaro - CoStarters
Charita Allan - City of Chattanooga, Economic Development
Clark Brewer - Tennessee River Gorge Trust
Kourtney Brown - Artist
Wayne Brown – Community Activist
Charlotte Caldwell - Stove Works
Eddie Centurion - Maclellan Foundation
Ashley Conrad - UnifiEd
Demetrus Coonrod - City of Chattanooga, Council
Jonathan Dreiling - Highland Park Commons
Lakweshia Ewing - United Way
Michael Gilliland - Chattanooga Organized for Action
Brenna Kelly - SE Conservation Corps
Jazmine King LeBlanc - ELLA
Ana Mancebo - LaPaz
Pablo Mazariegos - Alt Sem
Shane Morrow - Jazzanooga
Jenny Park - Trust for Public Land
Marco Perez - LAUNCH
Anna Protano-Biggs - Public Defenders Office
Alana Questell - Humanaut
Michael Rice - Mad Priest Coffee
Reginald Smith - Bethlehem Center
David Steele - UTC
Kreneshia Whiteside - AVA
Cameron Williams – Southside Neighborhood
FOOTPRINT REPRESENTATIVES
Jeff Cannon, President/Owner, Tucker Build and community consultant
Rondell Crier, Artist/Owner, Studio Everything
Martina Guilfoil, President/CEO, Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise
Caleb Ludwick, Founder and Creative Director, 26 Tools
Daniela Peterson, Community Engagement Specialist, Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise
Lisa Pinckney, Executive Director, Footprint Foundation
Alfred Smith, Footprint Foundation trustee