Inclusion Seekers Summit 2025

Strong and Connected Communities

Thursday, October 9, 2025  |  8:30am – 3:30pm
Cincinnati Art Museum | 953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH

presented by

thank you to our supporters

Inclusion Seekers Summit 2025

Strong and Connected Communities

Thursday, October 9, 2025  |  8:30am – 3:30pm
Cincinnati Art Museum | 953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202

presented by

thank you to our supporters

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Dr. Vivek Murthy

19th and 21st U.S. Surgeon General

Dr. Murthy’s focus on addressing social isolation through strong community ties aligns perfectly with Starfire’s mission of eliminating isolation for people with disabilities everywhere. His list of publications includes:

Our Speakers

King Adjei-Frimpong

King Adjei-Frimpong is the Director of Stakeholder Engagement for the Texas Education Agency. He leads the agency’s work in connecting with its key stakeholders, including district administrators, educators, and parents. He is a mental health advocate and has been in the social sector his entire career. He is also a Starfire board member.

Savannah Barrett

Savannah Barrett is the Exchange Director for Art of the Rural and co-founder of the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange, uniting Kentuckians to build trust and shared vision. A twelfth-generation Kentuckian from Grayson County, she now lives in South Louisville. For over 20 years, she has led cultural and community programs nationwide, focusing on celebrating local culture, building capacity, and deepening connection.

Zachary Benedict

Zachary Benedict is an architect dedicated to exploring the connection between people and places. As President of MKM architecture + design, he oversees the firm’s strategy and manages projects focused on inclusive placemaking, emphasizing how effective community development can strengthen our sense of belonging and purpose.

Brandon Black

Brandon Black is a context artist, illustrator, and graphic facilitator based in Cincinnati. He discovered visual practice in 2010 and became a lead facilitator at Starfire Council by 2012. In 2015, he founded Drawnversation to bring art into collaborative spaces. He lives in Cincinnati with his wife, daughter, and their many animals.

Jesiah Brock

Jesiah Brock is Chief Program Officer at CityLink Center, leading integrated services that empower transformation through strong partnerships. He is also Founder of Disrupt LLC, Assistant Pastor at Grace Christian Fellowship, and founder of Freedom to Move Forward. Pursuing a doctorate in Organizational Leadership, Jesiah is a devoted husband and father passionate about unlocking potential.

April Combs Mann

April Combs Mann is a singer, storyteller, and community songleader based in Cincinnati. She leads The Cinci Sing, a network of heart-centered singing gatherings focused on well-being, connection, and the joy of shared voice. April is also the creator of April Eight, a collection of seasonal audiobooks and songs for children, blending imagination, music, and story to nurture wonder and rhythm in everyday life.

Lori Droege

Lori Droege is the Director of Prevention & Education at The Ion Center for Violence Prevention in Covington, Kentucky. With 15 years in violence prevention, she focuses on strengthening relationships and creating environments that foster belonging. Outside of work, she embraces her “silly goose” spirit, especially with her nieces and nephews, and enjoys traveling, reading, hiking, and connecting with her community.

Tasha Faruqui

Dr. Tasha Faruqui is a pediatrician, speaker, advocate, and author. Inspired by her daughter Soraya, who is currently in hospice due to a rare genetic disorder, Tasha’s work focuses on advocating for parents of medically complex children and raising awareness about anticipatory grief. Connect and learn more at www.tashafaruqui.com.

Achsah Fitzhugh

Achsah Fitzhugh is a community builder and advocate who helps families design meaningful, gift-driven projects that strengthen connections and celebrate belonging. As a mentor and project coordinator for Starfire in Middletown, she also co-leads Operation Hello Neighbor, a grassroots initiative fostering more connected communities.

Ahustin Fitzhugh

Ahustin Fitzhugh is a community leader known for building connection and belonging. As a driving force behind Operation Hello Neighbor, he works to strengthen his neighborhood through kindness, visibility, and intentional connection. Whether planning events or encouraging others to say “hello,” he leads with purpose and quiet strength.

Jide Fresh

Jide Fresh is a multidisciplinary digital artist, author, and documentarian with over 20 years of experience. His creative journey began during the 2001 Cincinnati uprising, using art for justice and healing. Following a life-altering accident, he created a powerful adult coloring book series. His work centers on resilience, empowerment, and transforming art into shared, participatory experiences.

Phoebe Goodman

Phoebe Goodman is a disability support specialist from Boston whose workshops build friendships between people with and without disabilities and foster creative community connections. Living with a physical disability and PTSD, she is committed to reducing burnout, integrating mindfulness, and supporting professionals, families, and people with disabilities. She also chairs the Massachusetts Statewide Direct Support Professionals Conference.

Jeremy Jarrett

Jeremy Jarrett is President and CEO of Kinetic Vision, leading growth in Artificial Intelligence and Digital Twins. With 30 years in advanced manufacturing, he is passionate about workforce development and community building. He also serves on boards for the University of Cincinnati, Bethesda Foundation, and Starfire Council.

Neil Kelly

Neil Kelly is a Cincinnati-based public servant and disability rights advocate. He serves on Deer Park City Council and the Metro (SORTA) Board, using his experience as a lifelong wheelchair user to champion accessibility and inclusive transit. He also leads Independence Alliance and co-founded the Hamilton County Accessibility Advisory Board.

Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney

Jan–Michele Lemon Kearney is Vice Mayor of Cincinnati, serving since 2020. She works to reduce gun violence, expand equity, create affordable housing, and strengthen community engagement. She is also president of Sesh Communications, publisher of The Cincinnati Herald. A Cincinnati-native, she is married to former Ohio State Senator Eric H. Kearney, Esq., and they are blessed with two children.

Allison Lourash

Allison Lourash is a disabled community scholar-practitioner in Wisconsin with a background in human services and education. Her work focuses on inclusion for people with disabilities using Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD). She serves as a Steward and Board Co-President of the ABCD Institute at DePaul University and researches social capital, policy, and program evaluation.

Ross Meyer

Ross Meyer leads mental health and well-being initiatives at Interact for Health. With over 20 years of experience, he has worked across Greater Cincinnati to strengthen communities, including leading a citywide effort to provide free broadband to CPS students. He lives in Clifton with his wife, three sons, and serves on several local boards.

Vineet Narayan

Vineet Narayan is a community builder who creates spaces for meaningful connections. He works part-time at Old Navy and organizes pop-up events that bring people together around important causes. In his free time, he enjoys group hikes, singing, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

Nithya Narayan

Nithya Narayan is a member of the Family Leadership team at Starfire, mentoring families of children with disabilities to launch community-based projects that build stronger connections. As a Community Builder, she has organized pop-up events and welcoming spaces in her neighborhood. She enjoys reading, music, and leading local hikes.

Ryan Niemiec

Dr. Ryan M. Niemiec is a character strengths scientist and educator at the global nonprofit VIA Institute on Character in Cincinnati. An award-winning psychologist and author of 15 books, including The Power of Character Strengths, he has written over 100 scientific articles and uses his strengths of hope, honesty, and love in life with his wife and three children.

Carley Riley

Dr. Carley Riley is a pediatric ICU physician and Associate Professor at the University of Cincinnati. She directs the Mayerson Child Well-being Initiative at Cincinnati Children’s and co-leads several national well-being collaborations. Her work focuses on community-led, cross-sector solutions to foster health and well-being. She lives in Cincinnati with her partner, three children, and three dogs.

Kate Schroder

Kate Schroder is President and CEO of Interact for Health, leading efforts to improve health outcomes in Greater Cincinnati through grantmaking and collaboration. A Cincinnati native, she has 20 years of experience addressing complex community health challenges and lives in Clifton with her husband and two children.

George Seaborough

George Seaborough is Executive Director of Chatham-Savannah Citizen Advocacy and a longtime community leader in Savannah. He has held roles with SEIU, Young Democrats of Georgia, and Savannah State University. George also mentors students through college tours and civic programs, aiming to make a lasting impact in Chatham County.

Stacy Sims

Stacy Sims is the Founder and Executive Director of The Well, a Cincinnati-based national nonprofit at the intersection of arts and wellness. She leads programs that use mindfulness, movement, and creativity to support well-being.

Stacy is also a novelist, playwright, and children’s book author, with a deep belief in the power of storytelling and the arts to heal and connect communities.