Mortar Cincinnati

06/11/2026

THROWBACK THURSDAY 🐘 🛝 ⁠
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With Green Elephant Play’s 1-year anniversary around the corner, we’re looking back at a very special moment: their grand opening celebration in June 2025.⁠
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Founded by MORTAR alum Renee Laguna, Green Elephant Play was built with a vision of creating a space where children can learn, explore, and connect through play. Watching that vision come to life was an incredible moment, and it’s been inspiring to see the impact they’ve made in the community over the past year.⁠
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Join us in celebrating this milestone and all that’s ahead for Green Elephant Play. Congratulations, Renee!⁠
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06/10/2026

✨ Be the FIRST to Experience Our North Star – Destination Cincinnati ✨⁠
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This October 8–10, MORTAR is bringing together Dreamers, Doers, and Supporters from across the country for our first-ever multi-day conference experience in Walnut Hills.⁠
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Our North Star: Destination Cincinnati is designed to help entrepreneurs and community leaders build resilience, navigate uncertainty, and solve challenges together through connection, learning, and community.⁠
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Your ticket includes:⁠
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• Welcome activity & Happy Hour (Night 1)⁠
• Catered breakfast & lunch⁠
• Curated learning sessions⁠
• Inspiring keynote presentation⁠
• Drink tickets for Happy Hour (Night 2)⁠
• Access to MORTAR Homecoming⁠
• Opportunities to connect with entrepreneurs and changemakers from across the country⁠
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Join 100–150 entrepreneurs and community leaders, alongside MORTAR’s network of 1,000+ alumni entrepreneurs, for three days of learning, collaboration, and celebration.⁠
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To secure your ticket or to get involved: https://wearemortar.com/our-north-star-a-mortar-expansion-convening/
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06/08/2026

June is all about finding your rhythm.⁠
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In this month's Bars from the CEO, Allen reflects on the connection between music, entrepreneurship, and the freedom to build something of your own. Just like a great song, every entrepreneur has to find their beat and ride it.⁠
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That same energy comes to life at our Rhythm & Wellness Marketplace on June 13, a space to move your body, support local businesses, connect with community, and recharge for the journey ahead.⁠
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Whether you're building a business, pursuing a dream, or simply looking for ways to stay grounded this summer, we invite you to tap into the rhythm with us!⁠
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📖 Read this month's Bars from the CEO and other fun info in our June newsletter.⁠
🎶 Register for the Rhythm & Wellness Marketplace and join us on June 13: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brick-pop-up-shops-rhythm-wellness-marketplace-tickets-1989599899859?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm_campaign=feed&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=later-linkinbio&fbclid=PARlRTSASUFQdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAad1widbWNxuRFYuX6dnf_wJ4ZZLkbNlCzdh6ioCiAPuaMNJX_7uoqdYynZhug_aem_yVn6GspNWtSRWjpxwrYWgQ
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06/05/2026

Every hobby doesn't need a business plan.⁠
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In this week's blog, Tianna shares her thoughts on the pressure to turn everything we love into content, income, or a personal brand. From reading books to trying new experiences, she reflects on how constantly thinking about what's shareable can take the joy out of the things that once helped us unplug.⁠
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A reminder that it's okay to have hobbies that stay hobbies and it's okay to do things just for the vibes.⁠
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Read the full blog here: https://wearemortar.com/not-everything-needs-to-become-a-brand/

06/05/2026

Project Redwood has been really instrumental with helping fund our Digital Curriculum! We’re so grateful for all of their support over the last 4 years!

🎉 Congratulations to Our Graduating Grantees 🎉

This month, nine remarkable organizations are completing their maximum four years of Project Redwood funding support.

These grantees are expanding educational opportunities, strengthening economic mobility, supporting entrepreneurs, increasing digital inclusion, and improving livelihoods for communities around the world. Their impact is a testament to the vision, dedication, and hard work of their leaders, staff, and partners.

Please join us in celebrating:
• Gary Comer Youth Center (Chicago, IL)
• Educate2Envision (Honduras)
• Konexio (Kenya, Malawi, and Uganda)
• Mortar Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH)
• Project Hope and Fairness (Côte d'Ivoire)
• READ 718 (Brooklyn, NY)
• Somo Africa (Kenya and Tanzania)
• Tomorrow's Leaders NYC(New York City, NY)
• World Connect(42 countries)

We are deeply grateful to these organizations for their commitment to creating opportunities and addressing poverty in innovative and sustainable ways. We also extend our sincere thanks to the Stanford Graduate School of Business alumni sponsors who supported and championed their work throughout their Project Redwood journey.

Congratulations on all you have accomplished. We look forward to following your continued impact in the years ahead. ⭐️

06/03/2026

Columbus folks!!

Network, discover your new favorite brands, and get an inside look at CFA’s new creative hub, The Loom.

06/02/2026

🎤 You know what time it is!! SPRING LIFE’S A PITCH 🌺⁠
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Join us on June 23 as COHORT 45 (Pro 45) and COHORT 46 (Blueprint 46) take the stage at Cincinnati Public Radio for an evening of pitches, community, and celebration.⁠
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Doors Open at 5PM! You'll be able to spend the first hour exploring the participant booth showcase and casting your vote for the People's Choice Award⁠
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The Pitch Competition will begin at 6PM where you'll witness the top 10 pitchers from both cohorts hit the stage and battle it our for Judges' Choice Award. ⁠
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This isn’t just a pitch competition, it’s a celebration of the hard work, growth, and resilience it takes to build a business.⁠
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Come support our graduates and see what’s possible when entrepreneurs have the resources and community to thrive.⁠
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🎟️ $5 tickets available here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mortars-lifes-a-pch-pitch-night-graduation-spring-2026-tickets-1990883746880
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05/29/2026

It’s HEADSHOT time!

Cohorts 45 and 46 have been building out their business canvases and refining their visions. To help with this, they participate in a class discussion around personal branding while, one-by-one, they take professional headshots with MORTAR’s storytelling team.

If you believe in supporting entrepreneurs as they build what’s next, you can be a part of it. Visit the link in bio to give today to support MORTAR.

05/28/2026

Move your body, reset your mind, and shop local all in one place!⁠
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Join us for Rhythm & Wellness, a community-centered marketplace designed to help you get active, vibe, and unwind into wellness. ⁠
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Enjoy FREE workouts with Bodied by Rico and Zencinnati and sound baths with Divine M'Oceans. Also come vibe with music from DJ Trub, local vendors, and complimentary refreshments along the way.⁠
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Come solo or bring a friend. We’ll see you there. ✨⁠
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Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brick-pop-up-shops-rhythm-wellness-marketplace-tickets-1989599899859?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios&sg=7d2e9d50ed3ff19d3dd2ed8b27cd0fcf0bbaccd7b4d8b3bd2f0978e32bab4a99474c0f55021dd366d31bc101ad4ca4c3a75a2df5be98b6f84e4f1e20f74bcfb3ba9c2219df312755380565624f

05/26/2026

Perfection isn’t always peaceful. Our Operations Coordinator, Diamond, dives into what it looks like to let go of the pressure to have everything figured out.⁠
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“Seeking Peace Outside the Perfect Storyline” is an honest reflection on growth, expectations, and finding peace beyond the version of life we thought we were supposed to have.⁠
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Check out her blog here: https://wearemortar.com/seeking-peace-outside-the-perfect-storyline/