BT RISE 2024 Reflections

BT RISE 2024 Reflections

As 2024 draws to a close, I reflect with pride and gratitude on BT RISE’s incredible journey during our first full year of existence. Upon launching the organization in 2023, I reflected deeply on what it should represent. RISE stands for Resilience, Integrity, Strength, and Equity—values my team and I strive to embody in every aspect of our work. Together, we are dedicated to building a better and thriving community, one opportunity at a time.

This year, BT RISE and the Turner Family Fund issued over $500,000 in grants to organizations aligned with our mission. A few examples:

Community Engagement and Empowerment:

  • Sponsored the Black Man Think Tank where Black men openly discussed their health, financial, and relationship concerns and gained knowledge needed to lead fulfilling lives.
  • Partnered with Elementz Cincinnati to premiere their first-ever documentary entitled “Or Does It Explode? The Elementz Story.”
  • Presenting Sponsor for the Chip in for Charity golf outing benefiting Lighthouse Youth & Family Services.
  • Provided a matching gift grant to the Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation in support of their mission to advance gender and racial equity for women by addressing systemic barriers to upward mobility.

Education and Leadership Development:

  • Funded five needs-based college scholarships at Cincinnati State and four leadership development grants at the Urban League.
  • Sponsored the Women Excel (WE) Program at the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber to provide networking, education, mentoring, and leadership development opportunities for women.

Financial Independence and Job Creation:

  • Issued grants to five for-profit entities to support entrepreneurship, business growth, and job creation.

In addition to providing grants to support the above and other initiatives, BT RISE partnered with T Coleman Enterprises to host a diverse group of over 250 women at the inaugural F.I.R.E. (Freedom, Intention, Revelation, Evolution) Conference. The positive response to this event exceeded our expectations. More to come on what you can expect from us in 2025 as it relates to empowered women, empowering women!

BT RISE was honored by AFP of Cincinnati as the 2024 Outstanding Corporation or Foundation Award Winner at National Philanthropy Day. This recognition affirms that our work is making a positive difference in our community.

Transitioning from the corporate world to founding BT RISE has reshaped my path. While titles and roles come and go, my unwavering dedication to community impact remains constant. Leading BT RISE has been the most fulfilling chapter yet—one rooted in legacy, love, and service.

Looking ahead, 2025 will mark a pivotal shift. We will place greater focus on programming and initiatives that promote education and training, financial literacy, job creation, poverty reduction, and social equity. From advocating for pay equity to expanding education and training programs, our goal is to empower under-resourced communities to thrive.

I am proud of what our team (Anthony Harris, Dane Dudley, Danielle Ivory, Fred Dace, and Mary Carol Wethington) has accomplished together! We are fiercely committed to our mission and look forward to achieving great things in 2025 and beyond. Onward and upward!

As we enter 2025, I encourage each of you to find your unique way to give back. Whether through time, skills, or resources, we all have the power to uplift our communities. Let’s continue to rise—together.

I wish you a Happy New Year and a blessed future.

Kristen Kelly

Senior Consultant

2 个月

Congratulations! So much to be proud of

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Stephen F. Anderson CLU ChFC CFP?

Director at Oyster Consulting, LLC

2 个月

Barbara your career chapter 2.0 has gotten off to a great start. You are serving as a great example of giving back to others. You indeed are making a better world for all of us and especially for the next generation.

Rick Miller

Chair @Communications Accelerator | Senior Communications Consultant @Motion Agency | Founder @ACCEL Partners | Reputation and Issues Management

2 个月

Barbara -- you continue to accelerate the positive impact you create for so many individuals and the entire community. Thank you for all that you and your team are doing.

Peg Moertl

Vistage Chair/Principal at Grovedale Consulting: growing strong and effective companies, communities and leaders

2 个月

Barbara, as I’ve told you many times, I’m in awe of what you are doing, living your purpose and impacting others positively. I hope others who have the means are inspired to invest time, treasure and thoughtfulness in lifting others up so meaningfully. Thank you.

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