Hometown Heroes

Bettering the lives of children helps to better entire communities. Nonprofits like The GIFTED Event, Bigger Than Sneakers, and The Point/Arc have proven that changing a child’s life requires patience, perseverance, and a little bit of hope. Read more about each one below:

Vernon Jackson, owner of Noble Barber & Beauty in Corryville, went viral on TikTok back in February when he gave a haircut to a young boy with Down syndrome at his shop. In the months following, he appeared on shows like The Jennifer Hudson Show, The TODAY Show, and Good Morning America to promote his nonprofit The GIFTED Event, which seeks to create a safe grooming space for neurodivergent children and their families.

VERNON JACKSON
Barber/Founder of The GIFTED Event
“I’ve always cut the hair of children with special needs. Before, I did it as my job; now I do it as my mission. The decision to begin doing the haircuts came out of a culmination of experiences with families that were having a hard time finding barbers and stylists who demonstrated patience with them. I realized that the children needed more time and a quieter environment. The best option was to come in on my day off. There are so many families who have had horrible experiences in shops due to lack of understanding and patience with the children by service professionals. I get to show people how beautiful the results can be if we trust the process. It’s inspiring and challenging others around the world to be intentional and create space. I’m showing the children and their families that they they’re seen beyond the haircut. Giving the child a level of dignity they haven’t been able to experience and relief to the families getting a service that has been a nightmare for them most of their children’s lives. I want to create the perfect environment for them and record the experience so people can see what I see in them.”

In 2018, fellow sneakerheads Tammie Scott and Matt Tomamichel combined their love of gym shoes and philanthropy to create Bigger Than Sneakers, which sponsors the annual fund-raiser The Cincinnati SneakerBall and programs like the BTS Academy, a two-week summer program that connects local youths to leaders in the fashion merchandising and footwear industries.

TAMMIE SCOTT
Cofounder/Board Member, Bigger Than Sneakers
“Matt and I became friends through a shared interest in sneakers. He was nearly a decade into owning Corporate [a local sneaker boutique] and I was several years into my career as a sports marketing professional when we felt that leveraging the power of sneaker culture and our industry connections could help us make a positive impact in the lives of young people. We wanted to highlight how an interest in sneaker culture connects so many people, no matter our differences. Through various activations and an annual tentpole event—which became The Cincinnati SneakerBall—we hoped to encourage others to prioritize giving back as well. This work allows us to reach and most importantly connect with young people at a pivotal point in their lives when they begin to understand who they are and what they want to accomplish.

I’m most proud of how Bigger Than Sneakers has evolved from the original mission to now creating and implementing our own youth development programs such as BTS Academy. Bigger Than Sneakers is constantly creating opportunities to show young people what’s possible if you follow your dreams and work to succeed from a place of purpose.”

MATT TOMAMICHEL
Cofounder/Board President, Bigger Than Sneakers
“We are instilling a message of “Significance Over Success” with every kid that we encounter. We tell them that success is great, but what you can do for others should be the end goal. Leaders have to lead. You can’t just say you want to make a difference; you also have to be the difference. I’m most proud of how we have been able to get some major sports brand partners on board to support our mission. We went from focusing primarily on building community to also growing our BTS Academy family, facilitating life-changing industry connections between the students and executives at companies such as Nike, Puma, and Jay-Z’s apparel company Paper Planes, among others. It’s encouraging to see some of the biggest corporations share our vision in being committed to doing what’s necessary to lead.”

When her son was diagnosed with Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome, Judi Gerding formed a group in Campbell County for parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 1972, her group merged with two other similar parent groups to create what would become The Point/Arc. Fifty-one years later, the organization is still going strong.

JUDI GERDING
President and Founder, The Point/Arc
“The overall climate for children with disabilities was non-inclusive until 1975 when Public Law 94-142 [the Education for All Handicapped Children Act] was enacted, mandating inclusive education for all. This was key to our growth in establishing The Point as a leader of inclusive vocational, residential, social, and educational opportunities. One by one, we created programs that are truly unique to the nonprofit arena. Our Zembrodt Education Center has teachers trained to teach some of the more innovative and inclusive programs offered nationally. We have 17 established residences in inclusive subdivisions and 60 lifelong residents, and five integrated businesses for trainings and employment opportunities: Point Perk, Point Commercial Cleaning Company, Point Commercial Laundry, The Point Apparel Co., and ZELS Pretzel Co. We’ve kept our organization operating for so long through solidarity. It’s an extremely bright future for a population that seeks so little yet needs more than most from those of us blessed to be able to give. We have set the bar high for new and younger parents to maintain and grow what we and other agencies who serve our population have created. An incredible and inclusive life awaits those born today with intellectual differences. Our population is no longer feared but understood. People realize the “gifts” we bring to a community.”