Rushing the Season of Gratitude

I have never been an early bird or that person who turned in their work ahead of deadline, but it seems the human condition is that as you age, early becomes your friend.  Don’t hate me for rushing the holiday season. My heart is feeling gratitude so I’m starting my Thanksgiving early with this post.

I am grateful for the balance of constants and change that have been the story of Flywheel for 2023.

We conducted our fourth, Elevate Equity program. That was a constant.  We had a record number of applicants and four stood out. They were ready to make their mark, not only as entrepreneurs but as social change makers. We had 13 incredible volunteer coaches, some new to Flywheel. I am always so grateful for how deeply our coaches care and how generously they share their networks. Our Demo Day was inspiring and fun. Thank you to everyone who came to learn, support, and cheer. 

I am grateful for our sponsors; City of Cincinnati, EY, First Financial, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, Queen City Angels, MadTree Brewing, and our generous Philanthropreneurs®, our major donor circle. I’m naming organizations, but I’m referring to the caring and generous people who believe in the impact of social entrepreneurs and put Flywheel in their giving plans. These too have been constants.

Now the change part. This Spring, Cincinnati Council Member Liz Keating asked if there was a way I could engage the startup community to put social enterprise thinking to the problem of evictions; so many families are forced to move because poverty doesn’t leave room for even a small setback. The data is jarring. Black women with children are twice as likely to be evicted than anyone else.

Flywheel accepted the challenge and will be producing a hack-a-thon, calling on innovators and entrepreneurs to help interrupt the path from at-risk for housing loss to homelessness. We are looking for ways to use data, technology, digital tools, and insights to help service providers offer the right intervention at the right time to keep families in their homes. We will be working with a collaborative of social service providers led by Strategies to End Homelessness. If you may want to participate, use this link and we’ll keep you in the loop for this January sprint.

This change is not easy. The rewarding things rarely are. It’s risky. Innovative things often are. It’s probably an overcommitment for a staff as tiny as Flywheel, but under-committing is rarely more than a waste of time. So yes, I am grateful for the challenge.

I am so fortunate to be leading an organization with a board that shares these values. I will miss Neil Tilow, Amber David, and Tammy Bennett who are completing their terms as we welcome Melisse May, Jackie Reau, and Byron Stallworth.

I am grateful for volunteers who see I need help and proactively step in. Melisse May and Joan Kaup have been my Rescue Rangers, helping me keep up with important work.

I’m grateful for having met Samuel Baker a year ago, seeing his heart and passion for our work, and being able to create a role for him leading our programming. It would not have been possible without Pat Longo and Kristi Reynek at Alloy who found a way for our micro nonprofit to be the kind of employer we have long aspired to be.

I am also grateful for those who love our SustainableCincy program who are willing to support us through change. The cohort program may be on hiatus, but we continue to support our sustainability alumni and founders with coaching workshops and connections that are advancing their businesses.

Finally, I’m grateful that you are reading this. It means you believe in founders who want to create a more just and sustainable community.  You don’t underestimate them just because they are driven by purpose first and profits second. You honor the double bottom line; doing good while doing well.

Thank you to all the friends of Flywheel that helped us through 2023. It’s not over and we need you behind us as we finish the year and charge into 2024. Know that I appreciate you. Flywheel appreciates you. If you are so inclined,we have a donor portal on our website. I’m a terrible closer so all I will say is thank you. Our work is possible because people like you join our journey with your talent and your financial support.