The Columbus Metropolitan Club

Founded in 1976 by 13 visionary women leaders in Columbus, Ohio, the Columbus Metropolitan Club connects people and ideas through community conversation. From its start, CMC has welcomed everyone. Each week, the Columbus Metropolitan Club hosts a public forum discussion on topics that range from business to policy to social services and beyond. The discussions might feature a diverse panel of experts, or may be a 1:1 interview with a high-level community or business leader. Every CMC forum provides its audience with an opportunity to ask questions of the speakers. Whether it's a topic that impacts our local community, has global implications, or both, CMC participants leave our forums better educated, informed, and engaged. We invite you to join our community conversations each week. All CMC forums are recorded live in Columbus, Ohio.

Benchmarking Central Ohio - Part 2 11/20/2024

Benchmarking Central Ohio - Part 1 11/13/2024

After the Election: Listening, Healing, and Moving Forward with The Reverend Nontombi Naomi Tutu 11/06/2024

Rx for Equity: Creating Access to Healthcare in Central Ohio 10/23/2024

Does Ohio Need Gerrymandering Reform? 10/16/2024

Does Ohio Need Gerrymandering Reform? With early voting already underway, Ohio voters are being asked to decide if a new approach to redrawing the state’s electoral districts is necessary. At stake is potentially nothing less than the future control of Ohio’s statewide legislative bodies. The nonprofit Citizens Not Politicians asserts that Ohio’s current electoral districts are gerrymandered – or drawn unfairly to tilt the electoral playing field – and favors Republicans who currently control both the Ohio House and Senate, while Republican leaders have said no such unfairness exists and that the Democratic failure to secure more of Ohio’s legislative seats is simply an accurate reflection of voter preference. If the proposed ballot initiative passes, control over drawing Ohio’s electoral districts will pass from politicians to a new 15-member nonpartisan board. Will the state’s voters agree that gerrymandering is an issue Ohio needs to solve with a fresh approach, or will the status quo win out? We unpack the future of Ohio’s legislative districts and the stark choice the state’s voters face this fall. Featuring: Kareem Crayton, Vice President, The Brennan Center for Justice Keith Faber, Ohio Auditor of State Maureen O'Connor, Former Chief Justice, The Supreme Court of Ohio Bradley Smith, The Josiah H. Blackmore II / Shirley M. Nault Professor of Law, Capital University The moderator is Jessie Balmert, State Government Reporter, The Columbus Dispatch | Gannett | USA Today Network. This forum was sponsored by The Charles F. Kettering Foundation, The Ohio Chamber of Commerce, and The Ohio Debate Commission. Our forum partner was The League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus. The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream and marketing partner was The Columbus Dispatch. It was supported by Vue Columbus. This forum was recorded before a live audience at Vue Columbus in the Brewery District on October 16, 2024. /episode/index/show/cbusmetroclub/id/33392787

Are LGBTQ+ Rights Losing Ground? 10/09/2024

Outdated Funding, Lost Lives: Why Ohio’s Babies and Birthing Parents Deserve Better 10/02/2024

Housing, Health, and Hope: Opening The Gates To Opportunity In Central Ohio 09/25/2024

Open Every Door: Transforming Workforce Development in Central Ohio 09/18/2024

What Would It Take To End Hunger in Central Ohio? 09/11/2024

Advocacy Without Animosity: Restoring Civility to Public Institutions 09/04/2024

The Invisible Problem Everywhere: Confronting the Gender Data Gap 08/28/2024

Real News, Fake News, and How Journalism Can Save Democracy 08/21/2024

Is Central Ohio Ready for Retirement? 08/07/2024

Is Central Ohio Ready for Retirement? Get ready for retirement, because it’s coming: while not everyone in Central Ohio is ready to clock out for the last time, the region will soon have more residents reaching the age of 65 than starting kindergarten. It’s a situation with enormous implications for employers, school districts, healthcare providers, and taxpayers. The 65+ age group of Franklin County residents is the fastest growing segment of the county’s population, increasing over 50% between 2010 and 2022. During that time, the number of kindergartners – the 0-4 age group – grew by just 2.4%. According to a Columbus Dispatch article published earlier this year, the median age nationally is now 39 years old, rising steadily from 37.2 in 2010 and 35.2 in 2000. Ohio’s average age is even higher at 39.6 years. What policy and infrastructure changes are needed now to meet the housing, transit, homecare and healthcare needs of what’s rapidly becoming most of us? It’s a situation with HUGE implications for employers, school districts, healthcare providers, and taxpayers. Featuring: Dr. Holly Dabelko-Schoeny, Director of Research for The Age-Friendly Innovation Center, The Ohio State University College of Social Work Katie White, Director, The Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging Kalitha Williams, Outreach and Advocacy Manager, AARP Ohio Chanda Wingo, Director, Franklin County Office on Aging The moderator is Tasha Booker, Caregiver and Senior Vice President for External Engagement, City Year. This forum was sponsored by AARP Ohio, The Franklin County Board of Commissioners, and The Isabelle Ridgeway Foundation. The forum partner was King Business Interiors. The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. The livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. It was supported by The Ellis. This forum was recorded at The Ellis in Columbus Ohio's historic Italian Village on August 7, 2024. /episode/index/show/cbusmetroclub/id/32446622

Crafting the New Columbus Brand 07/31/2024

Ohio Mayors Address Challenges Together 07/24/2024

Ohio State University President Ted Carter 07/17/2024

Zone In: The Proposed Zoning Overhaul That Will Reshape Columbus 07/10/2024

Zone In: The Proposed Zoning Overhaul That Will Reshape Columbus A proposed major overhaul of Columbus’ 70-year-old zoning code will bring big changes to Columbus. If passed, the new code will dramatically reshape parts of the city by unlocking current density and height restrictions, allow more mixed-use developments, and much more. Proponents argue a zoning code overhaul is critical to help Columbus fix its worsening housing crisis, while opponents worry that the proposal could bring about a loss of control over new development in established neighborhoods, or even the loss of historic buildings. The proposed overhaul could allow for 88,000 new housing units along key city corridors, impacting 12,300 parcels. The proposal is currently in a 60-day public review period, with Columbus City Council’s final vote on the proposed changes coming this summer. Draft plans would allow much taller buildings and denser housing along major streets including Broad Street, High Street, and Cleveland Avenue, plus an elimination of parking requirements. While some welcome the increased housing options, others are concerned about potential changes to neighborhood character. With a panel bringing multiple voices to the table, we unpack the way this summer’s proposed zoning overhaul could reshape Columbus. Featuring: Rob Dorans, President Pro Tem, Columbus City Council Leah Evans, President & CEO, Homeport Dr. Rebecca Kemper, CEO, Columbus Landmarks Kathy Green, Vice-Chair and Zoning Committee Chair, Columbus Southside Area Commission The moderator is Mark Ferenchik, News Director, WOSU Public Media. This forum was sponsored by Crane Group. The presenting sponsor of CMC's livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. It was supported by The Ellis. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus, Ohio's historic Italian Village on July 10, 2024. /episode/index/show/cbusmetroclub/id/31967252

Why Charitable Giving Matters 06/26/2024

Annual State of Nonprofits 06/19/2024

Journey of Justice: The Civil Rights Act at 60 06/05/2024

Journey of Justice: The Civil Rights Act at 60 As our country heads into a pivotal 2024 election, we unpack the creation and the legacy of one of the most significant legislative achievements in American history, the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The 60-year-old Civil Right Act – bold, imperfect at creation, and controversial – demanded a fundamental fairness in American life that today remains an unfinished task. In June 1963, President John Kennedy urged Congress to enact a comprehensive civil rights bill, driven by widespread resistance to desegregation and the murder of civil rights activist Medgar Evers. Following Kennedy’s assassination, President Lyndon Johnson championed the bill, ultimately securing its passage the following year, despite intense resistance that included a 54-day filibuster by opponents. At the bill’s signing on July 2, 1964, President Johnson was joined by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other civil rights crusaders. The Civil Rights Act barred unequal voter registration requirements, banned discrimination on the basis of “race, color, religion, or national origin” in places of public accommodation, in public education and in federally-assisted programs, banned discrimination based on “race, color, religion, sex, or national origin” in hiring, and expanded the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. The passage of the Civil Rights Act was a watershed moment in American history. It effectively ended the era of notorious “Jim Crow” laws, previously upheld by the Supreme Court, which permitted racial segregation under the pretext of “separate but equal.” Since 1964, Congress has expanded the Civil Rights Act to strengthen the protection of essential civil liberties. With an expert panel, we pay respects to the vision of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and take stock of the state of – and threats to – civil liberties in today’s America. Featuring: Janet E. Jackson, Former President & CEO, The United Way of Central Ohio, Former City Attorney for the City of Columbus, Former Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries, Associate Professor, Department of History, The Ohio State University Jen Miller, Executive Director, The League of Women Voters of Ohio The panel moderator is W. Kay Wilson, Associate Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Mahogany Magazine This forum was sponsored by Homeport, The Robert Weiler Company, and Steptoe & Johnson. The forum partner was The League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus. It was supported by The Ellis. The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at The Columbus Foundation. The livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus, Ohio's historic Italian Village on June 5, 2024. /episode/index/show/cbusmetroclub/id/31404122

Hiring Heroes: Why Ohio’s Workforce Needs Veterans 05/22/2024

Hiring Heroes: Why Ohio’s Workforce Needs Veterans Only five other states are home to more veterans than Ohio. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Buckeye State is home to 729,645 veterans. Only California, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas have more veterans than Ohio. With the state’s unemployment rate well below historic averages, many employers are turning to veterans to fill open positions. While the veteran unemployment rate is nationally lower that the nonveteran unemployment rate, 3% versus 3.8%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, many returning veterans struggle to re-integrate themselves into the civilian workforce after military service. “Finding the mission again,” or reinventing a new life in the civilian work world, can be hugely challenging for many. The transition can be a time when veterans are at greater risk for depression, homelessness, and increased risk of crisis, according to the veterans’ advocacy organization DAV. Part of the challenge for veterans is helping civilian employers recognize the key skills they’re seeking in veteran resumes. State officials and leading employers are helping to change this; the state is now home to 2,792 designated “Military Friendly” employers in the state of Ohio, and state-run and corporate programs are seeing marked successes in helping veterans re-integrate into Ohio’s workforce. With a panel of leaders, we unpack the hidden challenges Ohio veterans face returning to the workforce after military life, and dive into the strategies that are connecting veterans with Ohio employers ready to hire them. Featuring: Tony Anzic, U.S. Navy Veteran and Columbus Location Manager, JPMorgan Chase & Co. Retired U.S. Army Major General Deborah Ashenhurst, Director, Ohio Department of Veterans Services Marnie Holder, Vice President of Advancement, National Veterans Museum & Memorial And U.S. Army Veteran A-Jay Orr, Executive Director, Ohio Veterans Collaborative The host is Stacia Naquin, Anchor, ABC6 & Fox 28 Columbus This forum was sponsored by Columbus State Community College, Encova Insurance, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at The Columbus Foundation. The livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. It was supported by The Ellis. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus, Ohio's historic Italian Village on May 22, 2024.  /episode/index/show/cbusmetroclub/id/31358897

Thriving Minds: Solving Ohio's Mental Health Crisis 05/15/2024

Thriving Minds: Solving Ohio's Mental Health Crisis Ohio’s mental healthcare needs are as acute as they’ve ever been, but Ohioans’ struggle with mental health has also achieved a new and higher level of visibility, thanks to the persistent dedication of mental health advocates. Mental health struggles are touching every part of Ohio’s population: children, adults, employers, and employees, and those of any age wrestling with addiction or thoughts of suicide. Ohio’s leaders in the field have also made clear that mental health issues aren’t merely healthcare issues, they’re workforce development issues: the state’s economy can’t thrive if the mental health needs of its workers and their families aren’t addressed and supported. Tellingly, a state official reported hearing most often from Ohio’s mothers and sheriffs: two groups both dealing daily with the effects of fellow Ohioans struggling with mental health needs. There is clearly hope: national studies show that 3 of 4 people who experience addiction eventually recover, and up to 33% of people living with serious mental illness and 67% of adults with mild to moderate mental illness experience partial to full recovery over time. And Ohio is talking more about mental health than ever before, with the stigma of mental illness slowly evaporating, thanks to a changing public willingness to talk openly about mental illness. Some 70% of companies have also introduced or enhanced their well-being benefits for their employees. Since 1949, May has been observed as Mental Health Awareness Month, so with an expert panel of passionate leaders, we unpack the state of mental health in Ohio with leaders working to create healthier adults, employees, and families. Featuring: Erika Clark Jones, CEO, Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County (ADAMH) LeeAnne Cornyn, Director, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services And Andriel Ugbomeh, CEO, Healing Without Limits Counseling & Consulting The host is Charleta B. Tavares, Chief Executive Officer, PrimaryOne Health The presenting sponsors of CMC’s Optimal Health Series are OhioHealth, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and Nationwide Children's Hospital. This forum was sponsored by Cardinal Health. The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at The Columbus Foundation. The livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. It was supported by The Ellis. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus, Ohio's historic Italian Village on May 15, 2024. Please note this CMC forum contains a conversation about suicide. If you or someone you love is struggling with mental health or addiction, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. /episode/index/show/cbusmetroclub/id/31222367

State of the State with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine 05/08/2024

Green Is The New Growth: Central Ohio's Sustainable Future 05/01/2024

Green Is The New Growth: Central Ohio's Sustainable Future Imagine what economic growth looks like on a graph and you may picture a line slanting upwards from left to right. Have you ever wondered where the line stops? On a planet – or a region – with finite resources, it has to end somewhere. This realization is helping a very different model of economic growth to gain traction: the circular economy. Circular, or “doughnut,” economies are sustainable and regenerative, where waste from one process becomes fuel for another. It’s a model being popularized by economists like the U.K.’s Kate Raworth, and it’s taking root around the world and in Central Ohio. Central Ohio’s economic activity is expected to result in more residential and industrial waste that will threaten the usable lifespan of the region’s landfill. Growth is putting upward pressure on greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. A circular economy can mitigate many of these consequences by recapturing more and more recyclable materials in new ways, sending them back into the production cycle. Central Ohio has an opportunity to set a national example showcasing the benefits of a circular economy, and key players in our region are working together to bend that growth line back onto itself to form a sustainable circle. With a panel of regional leaders, we unpack the advantages of thinking about economic growth in an entirely new way and learn how key players in Central Ohio are working together to bring sustainable circular growth to the region. Featuring panelists: Scott Barbour, President and Chief Executive Officer, Advanced Drainage Systems Dr. Elena Irwin, Professor of Environmental Economics, The Ohio State University Sustainability Institute Tia Johnson, Owner, Compost Clubhouse And Jeff Snyder, Director of Recycling, Rumpke Waste & Recycling The host is Tres Carter, Director of Creative Engagement, COSI This forum was sponsored by Advanced Drainage Systems, GBQ, The Grange Insurance Audubon Center, Rumpke Waste & Recycling, and SWACO. The forum partners were The COSI Science Festival, The Columbus Dispatch, and The Ellis. The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at The Columbus Foundation. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus, Ohio's historic Italian Village on May 1, 2024.  /episode/index/show/cbusmetroclub/id/31002743

How Immigrants Revitalize Communities 04/24/2024

Pathways to Prosperity: Breaking the Poverty Cycle in Central Ohio 04/17/2024

Pathways to Prosperity: Breaking the Poverty Cycle in Central Ohio What are the chronic factors that are keeping so many Columbus families – more than one in ten – locked in a multi-generational cycle of poverty, and what new resources are needed to help these families break free of the poverty cycle once and for all? Central Ohio is a rapidly growing, vibrant community, generating the lion’s share of Ohio’s overall economic vitality. Yet despite its affluence and prosperity, Columbus is experiencing growing inequality between our neighbors with resources and those who are struggling. Franklin County’s poverty rate is higher than the statewide average, with 14.3% of county residents living in poverty in 2021, versus 13.4% across Ohio. From 2000 and 2020, over half (55%) of the net population growth in Columbus was comprised of people living below 200% percent of the poverty line. Columbus is among the least-promising places in the nation for low-income children to climb the financial ladder. Personal savings rates have also hit a new low for many families: 68% of Americans are worried about being able to afford living expenses for just one month if they lost their primary income source, and 57% of adults are unable to afford a $1,000 emergency. We're joined by a panel of passionate experts to better understand the multi-generational cycle of poverty in Central Ohio, and the critical resources, initiatives, and programs that can help our Columbus neighbors escape the poverty cycle forever. Featuring panelists: Tony Collins, CEO & President, YMCA of Central Ohio Lawrence Funderburke, Founder, President, and Certified Financial Planner, Funderburke Institute of Financial Empowerment Stephanie Hightower, President and CEO, The Columbus Urban League And Karen Mozenter, CEO, Jewish Family Services The moderator is Tonisha Johnson, Emmy Award-Winning Multimedia Journalist and Anchor, Spectrum News 1 This forum was sponsored by Kroger. It was supported by The Ellis. The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at The Columbus Foundation. The livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus, Ohio's historic Italian Village on April 17, 2024.  /episode/index/show/cbusmetroclub/id/30828888

From Solitude to Solidarity: Healing Ohio's Loneliness Epidemic 04/10/2024

From Solitude to Solidarity: Healing Ohio's Loneliness Epidemic Optimal Health Series Human beings are wired for social connections, but when those connections are few, our health pays the price. The U.S. is suffering from a loneliness epidemic, and the toll it takes on our health is both enormous and measurable. In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General declared loneliness and isolation a “public health emergency,” saying loneliness can increase the risk for premature death to levels comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The Surgeon General’s startling advisory found that poor social connections can raise the risk of heart disease by 29%, increase the risk of stroke by 32%, and increase the risk of developing dementia in older adults by 50%. There is hope: leaders across Ohio are working to combat loneliness, to re-establish connections lost during the pandemic, and create new resources to reduce social isolation. This thought-provoking panel discussion tackles the loneliness epidemic in Ohio and its profound health and societal implications, including actionable strategies to build socially connected communities that can thrive, enjoy better health outcomes, and develop resilience in the face of loneliness. Featuring panelists: Dr. Amy Acton, Private Practice, Preventive Medicine, and Former Director, Ohio Department of Health Dr. Whitney Raglin Bignall, On Our Sleeves Associate Clinical Director, Nationwide Children's Hospital Susan DiMickele, CEO, National Church Residences Dr. Megan Schabbing, Medical Director of Psychiatric Emergency Services, OhioHealth The host is Tracie McCambridge, Director of Art & Resilience, The Wexner Center for the Arts The presenting sponsors of CMC’s Optimal Health Series are The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, and OhioHealth. This forum was sponsored by The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation and by National Church Residences. It was supported by The Ellis. The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at The Columbus Foundation. The livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus, Ohio's historic Italian Village on April 10, 2024. Please note this CMC forum contains a conversation about suicide. If you or someone you love is struggling with mental health or addiction, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. /episode/index/show/cbusmetroclub/id/30686818

It’s Time to Close the Gender Wage Gap in Columbus 04/03/2024

It’s Time to Close the Gender Wage Gap in Columbus Mary Lazarus Legacy in Civic Engagement Fund Celebrating Women in Society The gender pay gap is unfair, inequitable, and even illegal – paying women less than men for the same work has been against the law in the US since 1963. And yet, based on today’s full-time, year-round wage gap, women entering the workforce stand to lose $398,160 over the course of a 40-year career. This “lifetime wage gap” exists across the country: in every state, women’s career losses based on today’s wage gap would amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars—and in 12 states women’s career losses would amount to more than half a million dollars. If progress continues at the same glacial rate as it has since 1960, it will take some 30 more years for women workers to reach pay equity with men. The average Asian American and Native Pacific Islander (AANPI) worker would need until April 3 – the day of our forum – to make as much money as their male counterparts had earned by the end of the previous year. Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander women working full-time, year-round are paid just 92 cents for every dollar paid to non-Hispanic white men. The wage gap within the Asian American community is often overlooked, and it’s far from monolithic. For example, Chinese women earn 83 cents to a white male’s dollar, Indian women earn $1.07, Bhutanese women earn 52 cents, and Nepalese women earn just 48 cents for every dollar earned by white men. Recognizing these disparities is the first step toward achieving true pay equity for Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian women. What’s being done to close the gender wage gap in Central Ohio for all women? Among other initiatives – The Columbus Commitment – a voluntary, employer-led pledge dedicated to closing the wage gap and fostering pay equity – has now been signed by over 400 Columbus-area employers to help spotlight equitable pay practices. With an expert panel, CMC dives into why the gender pay gap has been a persistent feature of the US economy for generations, the importance of a nuanced approach to addressing pay disparities, what it will take to close the gender pay gap in Central Ohio once and for all. Featuring panelists: Barb Smoot, President & CEO, Women for Economic and Leadership Development First Lady Shannon Ginther, Chair, Columbus Women’s Commission Dr. Joyce Chen, Professor of Economics, Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, The Ohio State University The host is Tanya Salyers, Director of Advocacy, YWCA Columbus Columbus City Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla makes opening remarks. This forum was sponsored by The Mary Lazarus Legacy in Civic Engagement Fund Celebrating Women in Society, Crane Group, Event Marketing Strategies, The Ohio State University, and The Columbus Women's Commission. It was supported by The Ellis. The forum partner was The Women's Fund of Central Ohio. The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at The Columbus Foundation. The livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus, Ohio's historic Italian Village on April 3, 2024. /episode/index/show/cbusmetroclub/id/30439313

Shaping Columbus: Influencers and the Power of Community Narratives 03/27/2024

The Columbus Metropolitan Club

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