Movers & Makers Cincinnati

Miami University will receive $750,000 from the Ohio Department of Higher Education to expand teacher training and professional development centered on the Science of Reading, part of a statewide initiative to strengthen literacy instruction. The funding, announced Tuesday by Gov. Mike DeWine, will support Miami's Center of Excellence in Literacy, Education, Advancement, and Development, known as MU-LEAD.

A red panda cub born this week at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden marks the 100th red panda birth at the zoo since its breeding program began in the early 1980s. The cub is the first for Marcy and Zuko. The zoo posted to Facebook on Monday that the "cub and first-time mom, Marcy, are doing well and bonding behind the scenes." "Marcy was actually pregnant with two cubs, but only one survived.

Cincinnati nonprofit Forever Kings has named Stephen Mosby as its next executive director, succeeding founder Jordan Bankston as the youth development organization enters its next phase. Mosby, who currently serves as lead impact coordinator, will take over the role July 13. "I've always known my calling was to lay the foundation brick by brick, year by year, so that one day, someone else could build higher. That day is here," said Bankston, who started Forever Kings in 2019.

Activities Beyond the Classroom is entering its next chapter with a new name, a closer partnership with Cincinnati Public Schools and new leadership. The Cincinnati nonprofit is now operating as KidFuture CPS, a new identity that reflects its exclusive focus on Cincinnati Public Schools students and families. The change follows a five-year memorandum of understanding that formalizes the organization's strategic partnership with the district while maintaining its independence.

Founding Father John Adams said that future generations should celebrate American independence "with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more." Well, we've certainly followed his advice! As communities throughout our region celebrate America's 250th anniversary, the festivities will bring us plenty of those activities Adams talked about. It's all about the fireworks . . .

Miami University will launch a polytechnic on its Hamilton campus in 2027, betting a more hands-on, workforce-focused education model will better prepare students for careers in advanced manufacturing, information technology and other high-demand fields. Trustees approved the planon June 26, according to a university news release.

The Leadership Council for Nonprofits seeks session proposals for its 2026 Securing the Future conference, with submissions due July 6. The annual conference, scheduled for Oct. 20, brings together nonprofit executives, board members, fundraisers, funders and community leaders for a full day of professional development and networking. This year's conference will focus on strengthening nonprofit organizations through collaboration, knowledge sharing and mutual support.

American Legacy Theatre named Louisville-based playwright, educator and performer Terry Tocantins as its next playwright-in-residence. Founded in 2016, American Legacy Theatre creates community-centered productions and educational programs designed to make theater more accessible while using the art form to foster dialogue, empathy and social change.

Now that the summer solstice has come and gone, we'll be heavy on outdoor events for the next couple of months - this week with concerts and celebrations in the parks, woods and neighborhood centers, an art gallery "crawl," movies under the stars and, of course, the ever-popular Panegyri Greek Festival. Wednesday, June 24 Wednesdays in the Woods, Boy Clothes | 7-9 p.m. Burnet Woods Bandstand, Clifton. 513-497-2860.

Morris Robinson was frustrated. Robinson, a bass whose presence has illuminated several Cincinnati Opera productions and, since 2017, has been an artistic adviser to the company, had just completed a rehearsal for the 2019 production of "Porgy and Bess." He wasn't complaining about the show itself. He had the lead role of Porgy, a role he had triumphed with three years earlier at La Scala in Milan. No, Robinson's frustration was about something much more profound than a single production.