THE WAY FORWARD LEADER LUNCH BREAK ARCHIVE

Dr. Ramirez presented on the importance of social determinants of health and social drivers, emphasizing their collective impact on overall health. She discussed adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the significance of understanding risk and protective factors in health outcomes. Dr. Ramirez passionately advocated for the integration of healthcare systems to address social drivers of health, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and partnerships.

Rear Admiral Parks shared the mission and services of the Red Cross and highlighted their commitment to caring and its diverse range of services, including disaster relief, biomed, life-saving training, international aid, and support for the armed forces. He provided a comprehensive overview of the Red Cross’s disaster response initiatives, detailing the organization’s involvement in setting up shelters for residents affected by various disasters, including fires and hurricanes. Parks emphasized the pivotal role of volunteers and the organization’s partnerships with FEMA, local emergency responders, and nonprofit entities for successful disaster relief efforts.

Tony provided an update on the ongoing renovations at Karamu House, highlighting the completion of phases one through three and the plans for phase four. He emphasized their goal to create a vibrant campus environment that will attract more visitors to the Fairfax community. Additionally, he discussed the challenges faced and the efforts to engage neighbors and foster community involvement in the revitalization efforts and he touched on Karamu’s upcoming programming for children and summer camps. Tony also talked about the evolving subscription model in American theater and Karamu’s innovative approach to the pandemic. Tony highlighted their efforts to attract younger audiences to Karamu House by offering unique experiences and events.

Past Accelerate emcees Micki and Mike reflect on their best Accelerate memories, talk about the impact of the event and past Accelerators, and share their thoughts on the upcoming 10th-anniversary celebration. The conversation was moderated by Jim Malz (Accelerate Co-Chair 2020-2024).

Emily discussed Community Solutions’ nonpartisan stance and its commitment to providing data and analysis to inform policy and improve the lives of Ohioans. She highlighted the organization’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, upcoming initiatives, and the challenges of dealing with strong opinions and perceptions that may not align with the data. Emily also discussed successful innovations and pressing issues, emphasizing the importance of connecting various community issues and exploring innovative solutions to improve the current system.

Myesha provided an overview of the Peacemaker’s Alliance’s efforts to prevent violence and how social determinants of health, such as childhood poverty and lack of resources, contribute to gun violence. Watkins emphasized the need for resources and support to address the epidemic of violence, while acknowledging the limitations of individual organizations in solving population-level problems.

She called for collective responsibility in leading efforts to reduce gun violence, both locally in Cleveland and across the country, and highlighted the success stories of young people who have benefited from the mentorship and outreach work of the Cleveland Peacemakers team. Myesha also provided a detailed breakdown of the financial implications of gun violence, citing specific costs for fatal and non-fatal shootings. She urged a shift in approach, proposing that investing in community programs could be a more effective and proactive solution to addressing the high costs of violence.

Myesha also discussed the organization’s efforts to support young people involved in gun violence, emphasizing community education, court support, and partnerships to address the root causes of violence. She shared her personal journey of overcoming challenges in Cleveland, highlighting the importance of seizing opportunities, building relationships, and shifting mindsets to create change. She envisions a broad ecosystem where organizations come together to share ideas and training opportunities, supporting families across Cuyahoga County who have been victimized or are struggling due to lack of investment in their communities. She emphasized the potential for collective action to bring about a sense of safety and restore the city of Cleveland.