June is packed with celebrations from Pride and Juneteenth to Immigrant Heritage Month. As we celebrate, it’s also an opportunity to reflect on what it means to build a region where everyone—from every background—feels welcome, included, and valued. Immigrant Heritage Month is a time to honor the stories, cultures, and extraordinary contributions that immigrants bring to our region. To that end, we feel it appropriate to make two big announcements. The first is the launch of our new podcast - Roots, Routes, and Voices That Shape America - created and hosted by Clara Matonhodze Strode, Founder of The MCS Agency, and Bryan Wright, Executive Director of Cincinnati Compass.

We invite you to celebrate by hearing and amplifying these stories from local leaders. When we elevate these lived experiences, we affirm our commitment to a more inclusive, hospitable Cincinnati. Born from lived experience and deep curiosity, Roots, Routes & Voices explores immigrant stories in the Cincinnati region. From boardrooms to grocery store aisles, from mother tongues to second homes, this podcast delves into the layers of identity, integration, and belonging. We dive into the question of what it means to be at home. What is home? Not every voice fits the traditional narrative of success. Yet every story holds weight, shaping communities and shifting perspectives about the American experience. Roots, Routes & Voices honors the uniqueness of each journey, the beauty and bravery of becoming, the messiness of culture, and what it means to be American.

Also, we are happy to announce that registration is now live for our annual event on September 12th: Cincinnati Compass Presents Cincinnati Rhythm. This will be our fifth annual event and will be held at Cincinnati Music Hall. Food will be provided by 6 different chefs from Findlay Kitchen. There will be West African drum and dance, a classic salsa band, and a variety of other types of entertainment. We will recognize business and community leaders making an impact in the region, and you may come across some of our guests from the podcast. Get your tickets early as we anticipate it selling out.

As you plan your Juneteenth celebrations, please check out The Voice of Black Cincinnati for a list of Juneteenth events around the region. To stay current on events celebrating Pride, please check out Cincinnati Pride for the upcoming events.

Together, let’s reaffirm our vision: a region where every individual—regardless of origin or identity—can contribute, belong, and thrive. Through celebration, remembering our history, and lifting up voices, we lay the groundwork for a stronger, more united future—for all.