The start of Phase 2 of the People, Parks, & Power (P3) initiative has been great! The Unified Collective celebrated the achievements of Phase 1 and engaged in strategic planning for the next steps. We look forward to engaging the community in future policy efforts.

A huge shoutout to our co-founder, Moses B. Mbeseha, for being named to the Dayton Business Journal's 2025 Forty Under 40 class! This prestigious recognition honors the region's brightest young professionals who are making significant industry and/or community contributions 🎉

🌳 #MissionMonday: We are dedicated to revitalizing underutilized spaces into vibrant community assets. These efforts contribute to preserving and expanding Dayton's tree canopy, enhancing neighborhood beauty and promoting environmental health. wyso.org/environment-ne…

Happy National Library Outreach Day! 📚🚲 Today, we celebrate bringing books directly to our communities. Words on Wheels delivers free culturally-relevant books to children and families, ensuring that access to literature isn’t limited by zip code. #EndBookDeserts #BookAccess

On Sunday, we celebratet 10 years since the founding of The Conscious Connect CDC. We’re filled with joy and gratitude as we mark this milestone—and we’re just getting started. Here’s to the next 10 years of community, creativity, culture, and collective impact. springfieldnewssun.com/news/conscious…

Ten years ago, we started The Conscious Connect CDC with a vision and a whole lot of heart and hustle — just two 23-year-olds grinding with big dreams for our community. As we reflect on the gala, we’re thankful for every supporter, partner, + neighbor who has walked this journey with us.

🌳✊🏾 Last week, we traveled to Oakland, CA for the People, Parks, and Power (P3) convening hosted by the Prevention Institute. We dove deep into conversations about systems change, park equity, and environmental justice — but we also made space for something just as vital: joy. 😄🫶🏽

Last night was one for the books! 🏛️✨ The City of Springfield Commission officially proclaimed May 6, 2025, as “The Conscious Connect Day!” 🙌🏾🎉 We’re honored and humbled to receive this recognition for our continued work to reimagine, rebuild, and revitalize our communities.

📚✨ HOMETOWN HERO SPOTLIGHT ✨📚 We’re proud to celebrate our very own co-founder, Moses B. Mbeseha, as a “Hometown Hero” for Dayton Metro Library’s Reading Railroad #BlackMenRead Challenge! 🚂 🎉 Join us for a special Family Storytime with Moses: 📅 Monday, June 2 🕔 5:30 PM

Our co-founded, Moses, had a ton of fun reading during the Hometown Heroes Storytime. #BlackMenRead 📚

📚✨ We’re launching the Haitian Literature Challenge — a summer reading adventure celebrating Haitian authors & stories! 📖 Complete your Bingo Board in July & August for a chance to win gift cards, tees & books! 📍Visit Clark Library OH or The Literacy Center to find books.

Hosting the City of Dayton, Ohio’s #RecYourHood block party at our Carrick’s Corner Pocket Park over the weekend was nothing short of rejuvenating and inspirational. When we acquired these abondonned lots more than two years ago — this is exactly what we had in mind. #PowerOfParks

Today, I returned to the University of Dayton to deliver a keynote to doctoral students of the program I graduated from in 2022. I spoke on my dissertation in practice which created The Conscious Connect CDC framework of policy action for park equity. This has led to $1.5M+ in grants for us.

🌻The 4th Annual South Side in Bloom 🌻 Last week was a powerful weekend of community, connection, and vision at Dorothy Bacon Memorial Park! 🌳🌼 Big things are coming with a major park renovation starting later this year… 🏗️

🌹Rising Enterprise Award 🌹 Congrats to Camille Buford – Leerah’s Vegan Treats LLC 💚 From plant-based passion to a thriving biz, Camille honors her grandmothers’ legacy through her food. 🎉 Celebrate Aug 30 @ Rose City Black Business Awards Brunch! 🎟️ givebutter.com/RCBBA

Episode 3 of Cataloging the Culture is out now! Dr. Karlos L. Marshall talks with Dr. W. Tali Hairston, Board President of Seattle Public Library, about leadership, community, and libraries as drivers of cultural change. Listen now on our site or your favorite podcast app.

🎉 Happy 75th to Ms. Mary — “The Heartbeat of Woodward Ave.” 🎉 Last weekend, The Conscious Connect CDC surprised her with a birthday party + unveiled a neighborhood marker honoring her decades of love + support of Sully Jaymes Memorial Park — including inspiring the basketball court. 💛

🌹Johnny Lytle Innovation Award🌹 Congrats to Dorian Hunter – Art Noire 💚 Dorian is revolutionizing how Black stories are told and how cultural communities thrive. 🎉 Celebrate Aug 30 @ Rose City Black Business Awards Brunch! 🎟️ givebutter.com/RCBBA

Neighborhood marker placed in Springfield for ‘local legend’ Mary Anne Riley springfieldnewssun.com/news/neighborh…

On this #MissionMonday, we’re reflecting on the power of entrepreneurship and community! Last week, we hosted our Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Certification Workshop in partnership with the City of Springfield + Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC). #RoseCityBBM 🌹