The Conscious Connect CDC

It's and we're reminiscing on the inaugural Rose City Black Business Month Awards Brunch! We had a great time celebrating inspiring stories, talent, resilience, and impact of Black entrepreneurs in our community.

Now...get excited, because we're doing it again! 🎊

Join us on August 15th as we celebrate a new class of outstanding honorees at the 2nd Annual Rose City Black Business Month Awards Brunch.

Can't make it? You can still show your support by purchasing an event advertisement or submitting a congratulatory message to be displayed on screen during the celebration. It's a great way to honor this year's award recipients and be part of the experience from wherever you are.

Tickets, advertisements, and congratulatory messages can be purchased here: https://givebutter.com/2026RCBBA

Use the code "Couples" for 15% off of two tickets.

We’re still celebrating an incredible milestone: 100,000 free books placed into the hands of children and families since our founding. 📚

To every small business that welcomed us to establish micro-libraries, to every community site that allowed us to plant Houses of Knowledge in your grass, to every community partner that invited us to ride up and park Words on Wheels book bike at your events — THANK YOU!!!

This accomplishment is equally yours! Special thanks to the Springfield News-Sun for covering our journey.

The Conscious Connect celebrates free book milestone in Springfield The Conscious Connect Community Development Corporation reached a milestone of giving away 100,000 free books to local children after providing 150 new, diverse books to 50 students who participated in

🏆Rose City Black Business Month Awards Brunch Honoree Spotlight

The Rising Enterprise Award celebrates an emerging Black-owned business that has demonstrated exceptional growth, resilience, and vision during its early years.

Congratulations to our 2026 recipient, Dr. Mecca S. Carter-Marshall, President & CEO of Unspoken Courage LLC!

Through trauma-informed counseling, coaching, education, and advocacy, Dr. Mecca has created spaces for healing, restoration, and empowerment. Her dedication to serving others and her remarkable leadership make her a true rising force in our community.

🎟️ Purchase your tickets today: https://givebutter.com/2026RCBBA
Purchasing two tickets? Use the code "Couples" for a 15% discount.

🏆 Rose City Black Business Month Awards Brunch Honoree Spotlight

The Johnny Lytle Innovation Award recognizes a Black entrepreneur, creative, or business whose bold ideas and forward-thinking vision are reshaping their industry and inspiring others.

Congratulations to our 2026 recipient, Nathan Conner!

An accomplished visual artist, Nathan has earned recognition throughout Ohio for artwork that celebrates Black history, culture, and storytelling. Through his creativity and vision, he continues to inspire audiences while elevating Springfield's arts community.

🎟️ Purchase your tickets today: https://givebutter.com/2026RCBBA
Purchasing two tickets? Use the code "Couples" for a 15% discount.

This , we celebrate the power of bringing people together and the simple moments that help neighborhoods bloom.

South Side in Bloom is a reminder that community development isn't just about improving spaces—it's about activating them. When parks are filled with music, movement, laughter, and neighbors, they become places that foster connection, belonging, and opportunity.

We're proud to host activities at Dorothy Bacon Memorial Park, a space that reflects what's possible when residents, partners, and community leaders invest in a shared vision.

Join us this weekend at South Side in Bloom—we'd love to see you there!

Join us at Dorothy Bacon Memorial Park as we celebrate the beauty, energy, and community spirit of Springfield's South Side during this year's South Side in Bloom! This annual event showcases neighborhood parks and gardens that have been transformed into vibrant community spaces.

Here's what's happening at Dorothy Bacon Memorial Park:

🧘 10:30–11:30 a.m.– Guided Stretching with Sue McDaniel
💃 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. – Hip Hop Zumba with Sue McDaniel
🎶 1:00–2:00 p.m. – Live Music with Isaac Penrod
👢 2:30–3:30 p.m. – Line Dancing with Jene' White

Whether you're looking to get active, enjoy live music, or simply experience Springfield's revitalized community spaces, there's something for everyone!

Bring your family, invite a friend, and spend the day exploring all that South Side in Bloom has to offer!

🏆Rose City Black Business Month Awards Brunch Honoree Spotlight

The Sheila Henry Community Impact Award recognizes a business leader whose work extends beyond entrepreneurship to strengthen lives, create opportunities, and uplift the community through service and leadership.

Congratulations to our 2026 recipient, Eric "Coach Swig" Clark, founder of Springfield Elite!

For more than 20 years, Coach Swig has mentored young people through athletics, education, and life skills, helping countless youth discover their potential both on and off the court. His unwavering commitment to Springfield makes him a deserving recipient of this year's award.

Stay tuned as we highlight all four of this year's award recipients over the coming weeks, and don't miss the opportunity to celebrate with us.

🎟️ Purchase your tickets today: https://givebutter.com/2026RCBBA
Purchasing two tickets? Use the code "Couples" for a 15% discount.

🏆Rose City Black Business Month Awards Brunch Honoree Spotlight:

The South Yellow Springs Street Legacy Award honors a visionary business leader whose lasting impact has shaped the cultural, economic, and social fabric of our community. Named after Springfield's historic Black business district, this award celebrates those whose legacy continues to inspire future generations.

Congratulations to our 2026 recipient, Richard Riddle, founder of Riddle's Ribs!

For more than three decades, Riddle's Ribs was more than a restaurant—it was a neighborhood staple, a place of employment, and a business rooted in service, generosity, and community. Richard Riddle's commitment to Springfield exemplifies the spirit of this award.

Over the next few weeks, we'll be introducing all four of this year's honorees. We hope you'll join us on August 15th to celebrate their incredible contributions.

🎟️ Purchase your tickets today: https://givebutter.com/2026RCBBA
Purchasing two tickets? Use the code "Couples" for a 15% discount.

This weekend, we celebrated more than the dedication of Dorothy Bacon Memorial Park—we celebrated the power of legacy, partnership, and community.

As we gathered to honor Dorothy Evans Bacon's life and contributions, we were reminded that community development is about more than improving spaces. It's about preserving the stories of the people who shaped our neighborhoods and ensuring future generations know the leaders who came before them.

Thank you to the Bacon family, funders, partners, and everyone who celebrated with us. Together, we're proving that when we invest in people, place, and history, we create stronger communities for generations to come.

The work continues.