Latest news with #NationalUndergroundRailroadFreedomCenter
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New Freedom Center exhibit marks something that hasn't been done in 15 years. Take a look
Cincinnati's regional significance in the Underground Railroad will be on full display in a new permanent museum exhibit. The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is opening the "In This Place" gallery – its first new permanent exhibit in 15 years. "In This Place" joined the Freedom Center's first floor exhibits starting May 23, offering visitors an immersive glimpse into the significance of the museum's downtown Cincinnati location along the Ohio River. There, slaves seeking freedom through the Underground Railroad took their first steps as free individuals, migrating from the slave plantations in the South to the free states of the North. The exhibit was open exclusively this weekend but will officially open Juneteenth, June 19. Museum visitors can expect a gallery, artifacts, historic photos and footage and an interactive table showcasing the currents of the Ohio River. 'The story of the Freedom Center is rooted in this power of place and the legacy of the land we stand on,' Woodrow Keown, Jr., president and COO of the Freedom Center, said in a press release. 'This new gallery will serve as an important introduction to the Freedom Center, our region's history and the stories guests encounter as they journey through our museum.' The introduction of "In this Place" arrives amid remodeling happening at the center as existing exhibits are updated and new experiences are launched. Access to "In This Place" is included in general admission for the Freedom Center, starting June 19, which starts at $11.50 for kids ages 3-12 and $16.50 for adults. Tickets can be purchased online at The Freedom Center is located at 50 East Freedom Way in downtown Cincinnati. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Freedom Center adds permanent exhibit for first time in 15 years
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nobel Prize-winning author among recipients of Freedom Center's highest honor for 2025
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center announced the 2025 honorees of its International Freedom Conductor Awards, which, in past years, recognized several celebrities, politicians and activists, including Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela and George Clooney. The Freedom Center announced Wednesday that it will present its highest honor to the following modern-day freedom heroes and equity advocates: Opal Lee, the grandmother of Juneteenth. Lonnie G. Bunch III, the first African American secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Toni Morrison, Pulitzer Prize and Nobel Prize-winning author. *posthumously Isabel Wilkerson, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and best-selling author. According to a press release, the International Freedom Conductor Award recognizes the "contributions of contemporary individuals who, by their actions and personal examples, reflect the spirit and courageous actions of conductors on the historic Underground Railroad, the nation's original social justice movement." The Freedom Center's International Freedom Conductor Awards will be presented during a special honors program, presented by Procter & Gamble, on May 24 at the Aronoff Center. The program, which coincides with the Freedom Center's 30th anniversary, will also feature live musical performances and reflections from award honorees. Other past recipients of the award include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former President George H.W. Bush and former President Bill Clinton. 'Our International Freedom Conductors remind us that we are all worthy of being torchbearers and we must all answer the call to lead through the darkness, moving ever closer to the brilliant light of freedom," Woodrow Keown, Jr., president and COO of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, said in a statement. Tickets for the 2025 International Freedom Conductor Awards go on sale Friday, April 11. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Toni Morrison, others honored by Underground Railroad Freedom Center
USA Today
09-02-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Attacks on DEI suggest the playing field is now level. I reject that premise
Byron Stallworth Opinion contributor For over two decades, I have been deeply involved in diverse sourcing and supplier diversity. My journey began in 2000 when I served as the in-house lobbyist for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, managing supplier diversity efforts on its $80 million construction project. That project achieved an impressive 42% diverse spend, demonstrating what's possible when there's a real commitment to inclusion. Since then, I have worked with businesses, government entities, and industry leaders nationwide to strengthen supplier diversity programs. But today, I find myself answering more and more questions about the growing attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, particularly in the wake of recent executive orders dismantling federal DEI programs. It's time to set the record straight. DEI and supplier diversity are not the same A key misconception fueling these attacks is the false equivalence between DEI and supplier diversity. DEI primarily focuses on hiring practices and workplace equity. The executive orders aiming to roll back DEI policies are, in effect, undoing protections first put in place by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 − laws created to combat systemic discrimination based on race, gender, ethnicity, and disability. These laws were never about preference; they were about ensuring a level playing field in employment, housing, education, and access to capital. Supplier diversity, on the other hand, is a business growth strategy. Companies like Procter & Gamble and Kroger have long-standing supplier diversity programs because they make economic sense. As America becomes more diverse, companies that reflect their customer base are positioned to thrive. Diverse-owned businesses bring innovation, cost savings, and community reinvestment — strengthening the entire supply chain. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. There's a business case for supplier diversity Corporate America understands that a strong supplier diversity program is not just about social responsibility − it's about profitability. The Billion Dollar Roundtable, a coalition of 39 major corporations that each spend at least $1 billion annually with diverse-owned businesses, remains committed to supplier diversity, even as some companies scale back their DEI hiring initiatives. Why? Because a diverse supply chain is a competitive advantage. Studies, including research from Michigan State University, consistently show that diverse suppliers enhance innovation and drive cost efficiencies. A business that sources from a variety of vendors benefits from fresh ideas, a broader market reach, and a more resilient supply network. Trump's executive order targets federal hiring - not corporate procurement Another critical point that gets lost in the noise: the recent executive order dismantling DEI initiatives only applies to the federal government. It does not prohibit or restrict private-sector companies from continuing supplier diversity programs. The federal government may be moving backward, but corporations are still free to move forward. Despite political pressures, the reality is that many companies still recognize the value of a diverse supplier base. In my conversations with supplier diversity officers across the country, I've seen little movement in sponsorship spending or supplier engagement. Companies may be distancing themselves from the term "DEI," but they are still investing in supplier diversity because it works. The fight for inclusion is far from over The attacks on DEI are part of a broader narrative that suggests the playing field is now level, that the work of civil rights is done. I reject that premise. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was necessary because of systemic barriers that locked out entire groups from economic opportunity. Those barriers did not magically disappear. Supplier diversity remains critical for economic equity, job creation, and community reinvestment. While DEI hiring policies face increasing opposition, businesses and local governments should double down on supplier diversity efforts − not because they are required to, but because it makes financial sense and strengthens our communities. For Cincinnati, Ohio, and the nation as a whole, the message is clear: Inclusion is not a burden. It is a business imperative, a social good, and a foundation for long-term economic success. Byron Stallworth is the founder of Inclusion Building Solutions LLC., and a diverse supply chain consultant. He is the former chair of the Cincinnati Planning Commission and served on the board of Green Umbrella. Stallworth is a proud UC Bearcat and a graduate of the Tuck School of Business Executive Education Dartmouth.
