In the 19th century, Cincinnati was a lauded innovation hub and a powerful force driving our nation’s progress. The City of Seven Hills was the first municipality to develop its own light rail system and construct the world’s first reinforced concrete skyscraper. John A. Roebling built the world’s longest suspension bridge across the Ohio River, a prototype that would later inform the Brooklyn Bridge. William Procter and James Gamble—both European immigrants—settled in the Queen City where they humbly grew their soap and candlemaking business into a multi-billion dollar corporation. Cincinnati has long been a place where ideas come to life.

But times change. As the nation shifted from steamboat to railway, from the industrial revolution to modernization, the city (like many throughout the Rustbelt) suffered a downward spiral. By the mid 20th century, a place once known for its progressive thought and fearlessness, fell off the map.

Today, times are changing once more. The past ten years have brought about radical progress in Cincinnati. Citizens and elected leaders alike have made concerted efforts to raise the quality of life and once again, create a culture open to new ideas. Notable public/private partnerships have kick-started development throughout our distinct neighborhoods. Lifelong residents and new recruits alike are beginning to see Cincinnati’s promise and unrealized potential. The momentum is palpable and, block by restored block, a culture of innovation, risk and hope is being renewed.

Cincinnati is a city ripe with untapped opportunity. Nine Fortune 500 companies; 15 Fortune 1000 companies; eight postsecondary institutions; the country’s largest collection of 19th-century Italianate buildings; and one of the country’s Top 10-ranked startup accelerators. The city is teeming with bright, creative minds eager to make their mark and looking for practical ways to make it happen—quicker and better.

City Ambassadors

D.J. + Megan Trischler

DJ and Megan are designers. DJ uncovers the Big Idea behind teams and individuals who are blazing new and necessary trails. Megan works with people who give a damn in the places they call home. Together, they build simple, but delightful projects and processes that inspire people, showcase place and make the ordinary less ordinary.

Good is:
The great author Dorothy Sayers suggests that the worker’s first duty is to serve the work. She writes, “to aim directly at serving the community is to falsify the work.” Sayers suggests that one cannot do good work if she takes her mind off the work to see how the community is taking it: “If you set out to serve the community, you will probably end by merely fulfilling a public demand—and you might not even do that…Set your mind on serving the work. The only reward the work can give you is the satisfaction of beholding its perfection.” In other words, it is the work that serves the community; the business of the worker is to serve the work. And to serve it well.

The people and organizations included on this list understand what it means to serve the work. That is, to do well, work worth doing, thereby making good in their city, community, block-club, etc. Good work takes discipline. Good work takes time. Good work is simple. It’s honest. It inspires. It stands for itself, no bells, whistles or re-tweets needed. That in mind, let us all humbly get to work.

© HWGI? 2017 | Created and designed by Marc O’Brien.