WordPlay Cincy is proud to announce that Karen Harshaw has joined the development team as the Northside-based nonprofit’s Chief Development Officer. Harshaw brings nearly 20 years of development experience to her role, most recently working as the founder and principal consultant of SPARK Philanthropy. The former WordPlay Board Chair joins the staff as the organization begins its seventh year and launches a two-year, $1 million capital campaign, which Harshaw will oversee. “I

More than 120 local professionals, philanthropists and community members gathered at Nicola’s restaurant in Over-The-Rhine on Sept. 12 for the fourth annual Legendary Dinner for WordPlay. Attendees raised over $100,000 for WordPlay’s capital campaign, “Unleash Curiosity; Ignite Community.” Guests enjoyed an authentic five-course Italian dinner with wine pairings for each course. The evening’s presentation included a testimony from a young WordPlay student and a keynote speech

NORTHSIDE - The team at WordPlay Cincy continues to grow. The seven-year-old nonprofit focused on building literacy through the arts recently hired Amy Tuttle as Director of Programming, Mia Vera as Program Coordinator and Spring Starr Pillow as Lead Teaching Artist. The new hires complete a robust programming team that will oversee and execute WordPlay’s free creative workshops offered in Northside, as well as with partner schools and at partner organizations. Tuttle has sup

It is with great excitement that WordPlay Cincy announces the advancement of one of its longest-serving and most dedicated leaders, Reba Hennessey. After playing an integral part of building WordPlay into a successful, sustainable organization, Hennessey is taking a bold new step of her own: she is founding a new and innovative non-profit operation--one located right here in Cincinnati. “At WordPlay, we are so proud to nurture growth and leadership development not only in t

CINCINNATI - WordPlay Cincy is proud to announce that its longest-term student, Lilly Gieseke, 18, leaves Wednesday, Aug. 7, to attend the second annual International Congress of Youth Voices in Puerto Rico. Lilly, along with two other WordPlay students and two WordPlay chaperones, will join other young writers and activists as well as more established writers, activists and elected officials from around the world to discuss global economic development, human rights and socia

To the WordPlay community: Thank you for being an important part of the WordPlay family this summer. We have a lot of exciting new opportunities for you to continue learning and growing with us once the school year starts up again in the fall. In July, you might notice some changes in the building on the corner of Hamilton Avenue and Blue Rock Street in Northside. WordPlay is packing up our storefront at 4041 Hamilton and heading a few blocks north to Annette’s Place, an exte

CINCINNATI — On Friday, May 10th, local bicyclists braved a chilly, misty morning to participate in the 7th annual Ride For Reading Cincinnati. The volunteer cyclists helped deliver 5,000 books to more than 400 students at South Avondale Elementary School. Each student chose 5 books to take home and call their own, with the remainder of the books donated to the school. Created by a national organization based out of Nashville, Ride for Reading events take place all over the c

On February 25, 2019, WordPlay Cincy opened a new set of offices in Lower Price Hill. These offices create a central home base for the organization’s administrative and operational work as WordPlay’s programming expands to include a growing number of locations and partnerships. The WordPlay offices are located within the East Annex Building on the bustling campus of Community Matters and Education Matters. Other renters in the building include Cincy Stories, RISE News, and Mu

WordPlay Cincy is proud to announce the addition of Tim’m West to the Board of Trustees. An educator, poet, youth advocate and hip hop artist, West has worked in education and youth programs across the U.S. He has traveled extensively around the country speaking about issues at the intersection of race, gender, sexuality and social justice. He currently leads Teach For America’s national LGBTQ Community Initiative, advancing safer and braver classrooms for LGBTQ students and

WordPlay is pleased to announce the appointment of Karen Williams and Steve Yandell to its Board of Trustees. Both Williams and Yandell join the organization at a critical time as WordPlay works to expand creative program offerings to a greater number of Cincinnati children. Williams brings a strong background in the nonprofit sector to her board trustee position. She has directed development departments with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati as well as the Society

WordPlay’s newest Trustee, Candace N. Ellis, brings a depth of wisdom and insight to the fast growing organization as it makes strategic decisions regarding its programmatic offerings of reading, writing and storytelling programs to help Cincinnati’s young people make connections and fulfill their potential. Executive Director Libby Hunter enthused, “Candace embodies the spirit of personal empowerment and community dedication that is such a central tenant of WordPlay Cincy. I

WordPlay Cincy is pleased to introduce the newest members of their Board of Trustees: Ayanna Love, Esq., Joe Moorman, and Phillip Ridley II. The addition of these three members fuels WordPlay’s growth trajectory in providing innovative, creative literacy programs for Cincinnati children and teens, both in school and at WordPlay’s Northside writing center. A dedicated advocate for children’s rights, Love has worked as a Magistrate in the Hamilton County Juvenile Court system a

As the Northside-based non-profit draws toward its fifth year, it is thrilled to announce that. PhD has taken the reins as Chair of the Board of Directors. Monaco, 74, is a leadership consultant and retired educator. A native of New York, he is an alum of New York University and earned his PhD from the University of Dayton. Monaco began his teaching career in New York City and worked for 18 years as the Principal of Summit Country Day School’s upper school. He also spent 25 y