Central Ohio is reimagining crisis response. From the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to a new Crisis Care Center and community-led safety campaigns, Franklin County is building a more effective, compassionate system for people in crisis. This forum brings together city leaders, health providers, and advocates to explore what’s working, what’s still needed, and why these changes matter to every family in the region.

Featuring:

Melissa Green, Columbus City Councilmember

Erika Clark Jones, CEO, The Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County (ADAMH)

Dr. Brian Stroh, CEO & Medical Director, Netcare

Chana Wiley, Co-Chair, Columbus Safety Collective Campaign The host is Samantha Henrickson, Medical Business and Health Care Reporter, The Columbus Dispatch.

The presenting sponsors of CMC's long-running Optimal Health Series of forums are OhioHealth, Nationwide Children's Hospital, and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

This forum was supported by The Jeffrey Family Legacy in Civic Engagement Fund - Promoting a Thriving, Equitable and Sustainable Community, and sponsored by The Osteopathic Heritage Foundation, Cardinal Health, The Community Shelter Board, Ian Alexander Photography, and Star House. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC’s livestream partner and promotional partner was The Columbus Dispatch.

This forum was also supported by The Ellis.

This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus’ historic Italian Village on August 27, 2025.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Uncertainties around research grants, student visas, and dramatic changes to the country’s DEI climate are only some of the issues that have shaped Ted Carter’s first year and a half on the job as the 17th president of The Ohio State University. But as a retired U.S. Navy vice admiral with 38 years of military service and more than 6,300 flying hours, Carter is no stranger to leadership under trying circumstances. Join us as CMC welcomes President Ted Carter for a look back at his first year and a half on the job, and a look forward at what’s on the horizon for Ohio’s flagship university.

Featuring: Ted Carter, President, The Ohio State University. The host is Sheridan Hendrix, Higher Education Reporter, The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was made possible by The Joseph and Carol Alutto Civic Engagement Fund - Focusing on Higher Education.

This forum was sponsored by The Ohio State University, The United Way of Central Ohio, and  Columbus Business First. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC’s livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was also supported by The National Veterans Memorial and Museum. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in downtown Columbus on August 20, 2025.

They’ve grown up in an era of student debt, climate anxiety, social media, and political gridlock—and now, they’re shaping the future of Ohio politics. From Gen Z newcomers to younger members of Gen X, a new wave of elected officials is stepping up to the mic. What motivates them to lead—and how are they challenging traditional power structures to create a more inclusive democracy? This candid conversation with rising political leaders spotlights what it means to serve—and shake things up—in today’s political climate. Featuring: Munira Abdullahi (D), Ohio State House Representative, 9th District Shaquille Alexander, Treasurer, City of Whitehall Dani Isaacsohn (D), House Minority Leader and Ohio State House Representative, 24th District Michele Reynolds (R), Ohio State Senator, 3rd District

David Thomas (R), Ohio State House Representative, 65th District The host is Haley BeMiller, State Government & Politics Reporter, The Columbus Dispatch

This forum was sponsored by The Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority and Frost Brown Todd.

The partners for this CMC forum were The League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus, The Matriots, and The Columbus Dispatch. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation.  This forum was also supported by The Ellis. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus’ historic Italian Village on August 13, 2025.

Artificial intelligence is transforming everything—from how Central Ohioans work to how companies make decisions. But can innovation happen without leaving people behind? This week’s Columbus Metropolitan Club forum explores Central Ohio’s rapidly evolving AI ecosystem with experts who are shaping the future of tech in the region. 

Featuring:

Mike Cohn, Vice President of Network Operations, CoverMyMeds

Nathan Craig, Associate Professor, Operations and Business Analytics, The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business

Nicole Jackson, Principal AI Consultant and AI Practice Lead, Optimum Technology

Guru Vasudeva, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Property & Casualty, Nationwide

The host is John Hrusovsky, Managing Director, Synexis Consulting

This forum was sponsored by The Ohio State University and Improving

The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC’s livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was also supported by The Ellis. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus’ historic Italian Village on August 6, 2025.

What happens when the most valuable college athletics program in the country enters the name-image-and-likeness, or NIL, era? At this Columbus Metropolitan Club forum, Ohio State University Athletics Director Ross Bjork sits down with NBC4’s Matt Barnes for an inside look at how the Buckeyes are managing massive change—from multimillion-dollar deals to evolving expectations around recruitment, education, and fairness. Featuring: Ross Bjork, Athletics Director, The Ohio State University The host is Matt Barnes, Morning Co-Anchor, NBC4 Today This forum was sponsored by Aloft Columbus University District, Encova Insurance, GBQ, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur, and LEARFIELD/Ohio State Sports Properties. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC’s livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was also supported by The Ellis. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus’ historic Italian Village on July 30, 2025.

What kind of downtown do we want to build? Some of Columbus’ iconic downtown buildings are getting a dramatic makeover, transforming from office towers into places to live and gather. This week’s forum dives into the bold moves shaping the future of Downtown Columbus—where people live, work, and connect. Featuring: Greg Davies, CEO, Downtown Columbus, Inc. Brad DeHays, Founder & President, Connect Real Estate and Connect Construction Mindy Justis, Advocacy Chair, Downtown Residents Association of Columbus Michael Stevens, Director of Development, City of Columbus The host is Rodney Dunigan, Evening Managing Editor & Anchor, WSYX ABC 6. This forum was sponsored by Downtown Columbus, Inc., The Edwards Companies, Marker Construction, and MKSK. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC’s livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was also supported by The Ellis and was recorded in front of a live audience on July 23, 2025.

Is Columbus ready to hit three million residents? Ready or not, it’s a milestone that’s just 25 years away, according to estimates. While the surge brings enormous opportunity—more jobs, greater diversity, and increased investment—it comes with high-stakes questions: Is the region truly prepared for what’s ahead? And what happens if it isn’t?

Columbus is now one of the fastest-growing cities in the Midwest, with its metro population expected to rise by 35% and surpass 3 million by 2050. This growth is fueled by millennial migration, international immigration, and a strong economy attracting both businesses and talent.

This forum tackles the most urgent issues shaping the future of a larger, more complex Columbus: how to build a workforce that meets growing demand, how to expand and modernize public transportation, and how changing demographics will redefine the region’s cultural and civic landscape.

Featuring: 

Rob Dorans, President Pro Tem, Columbus City Council; 

Monica Tellez-Fowler, President & CEO, COTA; 

Michael Wilkos, Vice President of Community Engagement, United Way of Central Ohio. 

The host is Jordan Laird, Politics and Government Reporter, The Columbus Dispatch. 

This forum was sponsored by Columbus City Council, COTA, and Downtown Columbus, Inc. 

The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. 

CMC’s livestream and promotional partner was The Columbus Dispatch.  This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus’ historic Italian Village on July 16, 2025. 

When it comes to fashion, Columbus has the talent. It has the retail giants, the design schools, the logistics, and the creative minds. What it hasn’t had—until now—is the fashion infrastructure to stitch those pieces together.

With the launch of the new Fashion Innovation Center in the heart of Downtown’s Discovery District, Yohannan “Yogi” Terrell and the Columbus Fashion Alliance are betting big on a bold vision: to make Columbus not just a great place for fashion, but a city defined by it.

Could Columbus become the next fashion capital—not just of the Midwest, but of the nation? What does it take to build a thriving cultural and economic district from scratch? And what role can fashion play in shaping a more creative, inclusive, and opportunity-rich city? 

Featuring 

Yohannan “Yogi” Terrell, CEO, Warhol & WALL ST, and Director, Columbus Fashion Alliance

Erica Crawley, Board President and Commissioner, Franklin County Board of Commissioners

Madison Hilson and Valentina Thompson, Co-Founders, SENIQ

The host is Kat DePizzo, President, Justice Design Lab.

This forum was sponsored by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and Taft.The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC’s livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch.  This forum was also supported by The Ellis.  This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus’ historic Italian Village on July 9, 2025.

Central Ohio’s vast range of nonprofits care for children, families, animals, the environment, and just about everything in between. Our region’s nonprofit organizations – both large and small – are doing work that’s more important than ever, yet some are facing an uncertain future amid potential funding cuts and anxiety among the communities they serve. With a panel of passionate nonprofit leaders, we unpack the state of Central Ohio nonprofits at one of CMC’s most popular forums of the year.

Featuring: Julie Fletcher, Director of Community Impact, Crane Group

Joe Gottron, President & CEO, Gladden Community House Denise Robinson, President and CEO, Alvis Tom Schmid, President & CEO, The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium The host is Michael Corey, Executive Director, Human Service Chamber of Central Ohio

Concluding remarks by Dr. Frederic Bertley, President and CEO, COSI and CEO, The National Veterans Memorial and Museum 

The presenting sponsor of this forum was The Columbus Foundation.

This forum was sponsored by Bank of America, Benefactor Group, Columbia Gas of Ohio, The Columbus Museum of Art, Cramer and Associates, Huntington Bank, Mollard Consulting, and The United Way of Central Ohio. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC’s livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch.

This forum was also supported by The National Veterans Memorial and Museum.

This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus on June 25, 2025. 

Franklin County’s new 2025 Health Map is here, offering an updated look at the region’s biggest health challenges—and signs of progress. What do the latest numbers tell us about healthcare access, infant mortality, adverse childhood experiences, and more?

Featuring:

Joe Mazzola, Franklin County Health Commissioner

Dr. Mysheika W. Roberts, Health Commissioner, Columbus Public Health

Dr. Andrew Thomas, Chief Clinical Officer, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

The host is Tracy Townsend, Medical Correspondent and Anchor, 10TV News This Morning.

The presenting sponsors of CMC's long-running Optimal Health Series are Nationwide Children’s Hospital, OhioHealth, and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

This forum was sponsored by Mount Carmel Health System, Cardinal Health, and Ian Alexander Photography. 

The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation.

CMC’s livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch.

This forum was also supported by The Ellis.

This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus’ historic Italian Village on June 18, 2025.