“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
This past month, North Avondale gathered in the spirit of unity and progress for our Annual Meeting and what an incredible afternoon it was. It was an honor to stand among so many caring neighbors and friends who came together to reflect on our journey, celebrate our wins, and chart the path ahead.
We were also joined by Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Kearney, whose presence and insights reminded us how important it is to stay engaged in the policies that shape our neighborhood’s future. Together, we are stronger, and I am deeply grateful to her for sharing that afternoon with us.
I want to take a moment to thank everyone who helped make our Annual Meeting such a success. From our new board members Linda Matthews, John Addicks, Shawn Baker, Carolyn Gillman, Rozalind Fultz, and Alex Ciudinovschi, to our returning leaders and committee chairs, it was inspiring to see so many talented, passionate people step forward to serve. I am incredibly excited to work alongside each of you.
Across our neighborhood, I have seen neighbors coming together in beautiful ways like the volunteers who joined forces with North Avondale Montessori for a Campus Clean-Up Day and the students at The New School who balanced the wonder of gardening with the magic of Shakespeare performances. These moments remind us of the power of working together and the joy of seeing each other thrive.
Looking ahead, our summer is filled with opportunities to connect, learn, and grow together. We are looking forward to our Brady Block Party with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra event on Friday, July 18th at 6:30pm at North Avondale Montessori School Field. Events like the Digital Archive Information Session and the Festival of Faiths offer ways for us to share our stories and celebrate the rich diversity that makes North Avondale so vibrant.
I want to encourage each of you, whether you are new to our neighborhood or have called it home for generations, to find a way to get involved. Join a meeting. Attend an event. Or simply offer a kind word or a helping hand to a neighbor. In every act of service, in every shared moment, we build the community we dream of.
You matter to me, and I am glad you are my neighbor. We are in this together.
Let’s continue to lift each other up, lean into the work ahead, and keep growing a North Avondale that feels like home to us all.
With love and gratitude,
Dawn Johnson
President, North Avondale Neighborhood Association