The vision for TABLE,(Transformational Advancement of Black Leadership & Excellence), is that the Cincinnati Black community has changed systems and achieved greater economic status, connectedness, and overall well-being. The mission of TABLE is to serve as a hub to catalyze, incubate, and champion transformational Black leaders and solutions to our community’s most pressing challenges. We build. We serve. We lead. Currently TABLE is focused on advancing solutions in the following areas:

• ARTS & CULTURE - Support efforts to grow the black creative industry in Cincinnati.
• BUSINESS & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT - Support and develop workforce opportunities that leads to greater economic mobility for black families.
• EDUCATIONAL EQUITY - Advance educational equity for black students that leads to improved educational/life-preparedness.
• HEALTH & WELL-BEING - Develop and support improved health equity that leads to greater health status for black Cincinnatians.
• LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT - Support Cincinnati black talent that can lead now and in the future on identified priority areas.

TABLE was formed as a way to address some of the community’s most pressing problems through the creation of a shared vision for the future and process governed by black leaders representing various sectors of the community. TABLE believes there are opportunities for greater advocacy, co-creation of solutions, and collaboration in addressing issues most impacting the black community. In partnership with Community Engagement Partners (CEP), these leaders engaged in a planning and reflection process to develop a shared vision, prioritizing key impact areas and strategies, and the development of a fellowship and grant-making program to advance the work of TABLE.

• Allen Woods, Executive Director, Co-Founder, MORTAR
• Christie Kuhns, Esq., Interim President/CEO, The Urban League of Southwestern Ohio
• Damian Hoskins, Executive Director, Elementz, Hip Hop Center
• John P. Scott, Partner, Chief of Engagement, Community Engagement Partners (CEP)
• Kiana Trabue, Vice President Strategic Partnerships, bi3
• Rickell Howard Smith, Esq., Founding Executive Director, Center for Social Justice at the Urban League
• Tyran Stallings, Founder & Executive Director, The DAD Initiative (Directing Adolescent Development)
• Vashti Rutledge, Executive Director, Madisonville Education & Assistance Center (MEAC)

Each of these individuals is a leader within the Cincinnati community and within their respective areas of expertise and have an average of 20 years’ experience in community-building work.  Together they represent over 100 organizations through the community and bring that experience, insight, and collaboration to this effort. Each member has demonstrated a passion and commitment to helping individuals and groups determine their destiny; leverage their impact, service, and networks to further support the transformation of outcomes associated with our community. 

To join the work of TABLE, there will be opportunities to apply to be a Fellow where you can learn leadership skills and receive financial support for an idea that addresses one community priorities identified by TABLE. 

Non-profit organizations can also apply for grants to further a project addressing an impact area as well.  As TABLE further develops, grows, and implements strategies, there will be other opportunities to get involved.

 Fellows and grantees will have opportunities to deeply engage with TABLE on an ongoing basis.  To apply, please go to. If you have ideas about how to collaborate with TABLE, please contact John Scott, at john@cepartners.io or 859-803-6460.

TABLE is currently funded in partnership with Community Engagement Partners (CEP), an organization that works to bring funders and investors together with Black community innovators. CEP has provided initial seed funding to jumpstart TABLE. Members of TABLE are also leveraging their resources to support the work.

Achieving progress and improvement on our identified impact areas is our north star. However, at our core, TABLE is here to Build, Serve, and Lead in ways that allow the black community to further self-determine their future, co-create and lead solutions to our most pressing challenges, and engage those most proximate to the issues to be addressed. The number of fellows and organizations we support and partner with who build, serve and lead, the amount of resources leveraged, the number of  individuals and/or partners engaged in co-creation activities, and similar outcomes will be those we assess on an ongoing basis to measure our success. 

We are committed to this work for the long haul. We are exploring various models of sustainability to ensure that black leaders and organizations have greater access to resources and support they need to do their work, their way. 

TABLE seeks to focus on gaps through ongoing engagement of our community and those closest to the issues. Our initial plan is to have our fellowship and grants programs aligned to those areas of need and support Black leaders and organizations seeking to address them. Within our community are different neighborhoods and leaders, and we value that diversity. Our plan is to continue to organize our work in such a way that solutions are self-determined by those leaders and communities as well as co-created and customized to meet the unique needs within each neighborhood and/or leader.

TABLE is deeply engaged in the community on an ongoing basis. We initially surveyed our group to identify issues most pressing to our community that continue to go unheard. We also reviewed various community reports and data already published in an effort not to recreate the wheel. The areas we’ve identified are generally and widely known areas of need in our community. TABLE represents a new platform to elevate those voices, authentically engage with the community, and co-create solutions around these persistent challenges and issues. 

The following principles and values guide our work:

• A focus on systems change and not perpetuating the outcomes currently delivered by systems
• Prioritizing co-created solutions with the individuals, organizations and communities most proximate to the challenges to be addressed.
• Self-determination where those most impacted activate their own power to address solutions and identify their future
• Investing in the next generation of leaders now; not solely in the future.
• We build solutions with the community (not for them). 
• We serve to meet their needs
• We lead efforts to co-create change.