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This is your community. These are your opportunities. Read. Share. Act. By RoShawn Winburn, Dayton Weekly News June in the Miami Valley doesn't slow down, and neither does the work of keeping our community informed, resourced, and ready. This edition of the Dayton Weekly News Community Brief arrives at a pivotal moment, when a historic aviation company is planting 2,000 jobs in our backyard, our region's HBCU is offering free workforce training that could change someone's career trajectory this summer, and the city is quietly rewriting zoning rules that will shape our neighborhoods for a generation. From Juneteenth celebrations stretching across the surrounding counties to scholarship funds for students, it's all here, all actionable, and all yours. Read it, use it, and pass it on. Grants & Funding Dayton Foundation Discretionary Grants — Up to $75,000 Deadline: June 29, 2026 at 4:00 PM Montgomery · Miami · Greene · Preble · Warren counties The Dayton Foundation’s Discretionary Grant cycle closes June 29 at 4:00 PM. If your nonprofit hasn’t applied, you have days — not weeks. The Dayton Foundation offers flexible grants from $7,500 to $75,000 for 501(c)(3) organizations launching new solutions to pressing regional needs — social services, healthcare, arts, education, and more. Apply now at daytonfoundation.org/grant-opportunities or call Tania Arseculeratne at (937) 225-9966. Who should act: Nonprofit executive directors, community organizations, faith-based social service providers, arts and culture groups. City of Dayton Community Engagement Grants — Up to $1,000 for Your Block Rolling deadline · Closes October 2, 2026 Your block club, neighborhood association, or priority board can apply for up to $1,000 to fund community events, beautification, and organizing. Simple application, real impact. Apply at daytonohio.gov/communityengagement — funds will run out before October. Who should act: Block captains, neighborhood association leaders, priority board members, faith communities. Up to $10,000 for Black- and Brown-Owned Businesses — ARPA Micro-Grants Call to confirm current availability Miami Valley Urban League · City of Dayton The City of Dayton committed $7.6 million of its federal ARPA recovery funds specifically to grow Black- and Brown-owned businesses. Micro-grants of up to $10,000 are available for operational emergencies, certification, and business growth. More than 23 Dayton businesses have already received funding. Call Miami Valley Urban League at (937) 461-6740 to confirm current availability. Who should act: Minority-owned and women-owned small businesses in the City of Dayton — especially those in trades, food service, retail, and professional services. JobsOhio Small Business Grant — Up to $50,000 for Expansion Ongoing quarterly applications JobsOhio offers grants covering equipment, training, real estate, software, and operating costs up to $50,000 for small businesses with a clear growth plan. Contact the Dayton Development Coalition at daytonregion.com for local guidance. Who should act: Existing small businesses with revenue looking to expand, hire, or buy equipment — especially minority, veteran, and women-owned businesses. Jobs & Workforce Two thousand jobs. That’s what Joby Aviation is bringing to Dayton. The question isn’t whether those jobs are coming — it’s whether our community is positioned to get them. Joby Aviation’s Second Dayton Facility — 2,000 Jobs Planned Hiring underway now Vandalia / Dayton International Airport area Joby Aviation — the electric air taxi company building the future of flight in the birthplace of aviation — has acquired a second Dayton-area facility exceeding 700,000 square feet. They’re planning up to $500 million in investment and 2,000 high-quality manufacturing jobs. Propeller blade production is already running. Current openings include manufacturing planners, production technicians, quality control supervisors, and supply chain roles. Apply at jobyaviation.com/careers. Who should act: Machinists, engineers, quality inspectors, supply chain professionals, skilled trades workers. Also: small business owners who can serve Joby as a supplier. FREE Workforce Certificates at Central State University — Advanced Manufacturing & IT Space limited to 30 per course — enroll now CSU-Dayton + Wilberforce · Clark, Greene & Montgomery counties Central State University — our region’s HBCU — received a $3.58 million federal grant to create 30 completely free certificate programs in advanced manufacturing, advanced materials, information technology, and data management. These credentials feed directly into the Joby Aviation hiring pipeline and the region’s growing tech and manufacturing economy. If you live in Clark, Greene, or Montgomery County, this training costs you nothing. Contact CSU-Dayton: oobayanju@centralstate.edu or (937) 376-6009 Who should act: Anyone who is unemployed, underemployed, or looking to move into manufacturing or tech. This is one of the most powerful free resources available in the region right now. Dayton Hybrid Career Fair — Engineering, Tech & Defense June 24, 2026 · 2:00–5:00 PM EDT Register at TalentAlly A focused career fair for engineering and technology candidates with strong representation from defense, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. Particularly relevant for Wright-Patterson-adjacent workers and STEM graduates from Central State, Wright State, and Sinclair. Who should act: Engineers, technologists, veterans with tech backgrounds, STEM graduates, defense-sector professionals. Greene County Defense-Tech Facility — 101 New Jobs Greene County · Wright-Patt Ecosystem A new defense technology facility coming to Greene County adds 101 jobs to the already-booming Wright-Patterson Air Force Base corridor — creating new pathways for technically trained workers across the Miami Valley. Who should act: Veterans, defense-industry workers, STEM students at Central State and Wright State. Juneteenth 2026 — Celebrate Across Southwestern Ohio Our freedom is worth celebrating from one end of this region to the other. Here’s where to be: June 14 — For Dayton, By Dayton (4DBD) · Levitt Pavilion A free community music festival celebrating Dayton’s local talent across genres. Food trucks, family-friendly activities, and the creative energy that makes this city home. 4dbdayton.com June 19–20 — Troy Juneteenth Celebration · Race & McKaig Park, Troy Troy-Hayner Cultural Center hosts a Friday evening concert followed by Saturday festivities including a community walk, live music, games, and free food for families. The growing presence of Juneteenth celebrations in Miami County tells a story about where our community is going. June 20 — Springboro Juneteenth Jubilee · Springboro, Warren County Springboro holds a documented place in Underground Railroad history, and this annual celebration honors that legacy. Live music, food trucks, craft vendors, blood drive, Jubilee Dinner, community symposium, and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. springborojuneteenth.com Civic Affairs & Government Action AdaptDayton: The City Is Rewriting Its Zoning Code — Your Voice Is Needed Now Public comment closes mid-summer · Workshops throughout June The City of Dayton is conducting a comprehensive overhaul of its zoning ordinances — and the decisions being made right now will shape our neighborhoods for decades. Where affordable housing gets built. How historic Black corridors like West Third Street are protected or exposed. What development is allowed near our communities. This is the kind of policy process that happens quietly while people are busy — and then communities wonder later how things changed. Show up to the June workshops. Submit public comment at the city’s AdaptDayton portal. Who should act: Everyone — especially West and North Dayton residents, neighborhood leaders, renters, homeowners, and anyone who cares about affordable housing and historic preservation. Montgomery County Commission — June Public Sessions June 2, 9, 23, 30 · Work Session 9:30 AM · Public Session 1:30 PM 451 W. Third St., Dayton — 1st Floor Hearing Room Decisions on infrastructure, health equity, ARPA closeout allocations, and public safety funding are made here — and residents can speak. You have the right to comment. Use it. Full agendas at mcohio.org. Get on the City’s Bid List — Minority Contractor Certification Is Free Ongoing · daytonhrc.org The City of Dayton sets participation goals of 5% or more for certified Small Business Enterprises (SBE), Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), and Women Business Enterprises (WBE) on all city contracts. If you own a business and you’re not certified, you’re leaving city contracts on the table. Certification is free through the Dayton Human Relations Council. Visit daytonhrc.org and click “PEP Certification.” Who should act: Black-owned, women-owned, and small businesses in trades, construction, cleaning, landscaping, logistics, and professional services. Scholarships & Community Events Dayton Foundation — 300+ Scholarships, Including Funds Specifically for Black Students Next application cycle opens December 2026 The Dayton Foundation’s ScholarshipCONNECT platform offers over 300 scholarships — most exclusively for Greater Dayton students. Among the active funds specifically for African-American students: Waverly Glover Scholarship — business/accounting at CSU or Wilberforce Golden Thirteen Naval Scholarship C.J. McLin Jr. Scholarship Doris H. Wilson Scholarship — Montgomery County seniors Deloris Winslow Scholarship — social work and political science This year’s awards are being distributed now. The next application cycle opens December 2026 — mark your calendar and tell every student you know. daytonfoundation.org/scholarships African-American Community Fund Annual Fundraising Breakfast June 17, 2026 · Registration 7:30 AM · Program 8:00 AM Sinclair Community College · Building 12 · Charity E. Earley Auditorium The African-American Community Fund of the Dayton Foundation is one of the most important Black philanthropic institutions in our region. Its annual breakfast brings together donors, scholarship recipients, nonprofit leaders, and civic voices to celebrate what our community has built — and invest in what’s next. New 2026 initiatives were announced earlier this year. If you want to be in the room where the giving is being done, register now. Search “AACF 2026 Breakfast” on Eventbrite to register. Your June Action List ✅ Call CSU-Dayton TODAY about free manufacturing and IT certificates: oobayanju@centralstate.edu or (937) 376-6009. Space is limited to 30 per course. ✅ Apply for the Dayton Foundation Discretionary Grant before June 29 at 4:00 PM — daytonfoundation.org/grant-opportunities. ✅ Call MVUL at (937) 461-6740 to confirm whether the ARPA micro-grant fund (up to $10K for minority-owned businesses) has current availability. ✅ Register for the AACF Annual Breakfast on June 17 at Sinclair — search “AACF 2026” on Eventbrite. ✅ Visit daytonhrc.org and start your free PEP/MBE certification if you own a business that does contract work. ✅ Look up the AdaptDayton initiative and attend or submit comment at a June workshop ✅ Mark December 2026 on your calendar for Dayton Foundation scholarship applications, and tell every college-bound student you know. ✅ Forward this briefing to someone who needs it — that’s how community works. Read. Share. Act.

The Contemporary Dayton, in partnership with the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, is proud to present Threads of History: Quilts by Carolyn Mazloomi, a landmark solo exhibition celebrating the extraordinary career of award-winning artist, historian, curator, and activist Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi. On view from June 12 through September 12, 2026, the exhibition highlights Mazloomi's powerful black-and-white pictorial quilts honoring the lives and legacies of African American freedom fighters and cultural leaders. Now an octogenarian, Dr. Mazloomi remains one of the most influential voices in contemporary quilting and a pioneering advocate for African American quilt traditions. Through striking imagery and layered narrative, her quilts preserve stories of resilience, resistance, and remembrance while positioning quilting as both fine art and historical record. Originally trained as an aerospace engineer, Mazloomi shifted her focus in the 1980s to champion the work of African American quilt artists whose contributions had long been overlooked. As founder of the Women of Color Quilters Network, she has reshaped the cultural landscape through decades of scholarship, mentorship, curatorial work, and community building. Her achievements have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Bess Lomax Hawes NEA National Heritage Fellowship, a United States Artists Fellowship, and an American Craft Council Honorary Fellowship. Her work is held in major collections including the Smithsonian Institution and the American Folk Art Museum. Figures included in Dr. Mazloomi's quilts in the exhibition include Ahmaud Arbery, Ruby Bridges, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Frederick Douglass, George Floyd, Fannie Lou Hamer, Henrietta Lacks, John Lewis, Richard and Mildred Loving, Elijah McClain, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Harry and Henrietta Moore, Huey P. Newton, Black Panther Party, Bobby Seale, George Stinney, Sojourner Truth, Breonna Taylor, Emmett Till, Malcolm X, and The Little Rock Nine. Historical events illustrated in her work include Black Wall Street, Brown v. Board of Education, The Green Book, and The Voting Rights Act. In conjunction with the exhibition, The Contemporary Dayton will present a series of free public programs designed to deepen engagement with Mazloomi's work and its broader cultural and historical themes. Programs include an opening reception and meet-and-greet with the artist, and a public lecture and discussion led by scholar and curator Dr. Sharbreon Plummer, examining cultural histories and the role of art and craft in democracy, particularly in relation to the current political climate and Mazloomi's work within U.S. history. Additional programming will include an activation of Yellow Springs-based artist Migiwa Orimo's People's Banner Workshop, a community protest banner-making workshop. Inspired by the bold visual language and narratives within Mazloomi's quilts, Orimo's ongoing project provides free visual aids including banners, signs, and props, for direct action, protest rallies, picket lines, and other street actions supporting social justice. "As Dayton's contemporary art center, we are honored to present the work of Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi and celebrate her transformative contributions to American art and cultural history," said Heather Jones, Curator and Director of Programs and Engagement. "Threads of History reflects our ongoing commitment to inclusion, access, and presenting exhibitions that foster dialogue, reflection, and community connection." Joni Doherty, Senior Program Officer for Democracy and the Arts at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation states, "The foundation is delighted to be partnering with The Contemporary Dayton during their season of celebrating freedom of expression. The Threads of History exhibition of quilts by Carolyn Mazloomi is one example of this gallery's recognition of the role of the arts in an inclusive democracy and of acknowledging our complex and complicated struggle to realize those freedoms for everyone." All exhibitions and public programs at The Contemporary Dayton are free and open to the public. Public Programs Opening Reception Friday, June 12, 2026 | 6–8 pm Welcome remarks by the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, 6:15 pm Remarks by the artist, 6:30 pm Free and open to all. Quilts as Witness: Carolyn Mazloomi and the Power of Cultural Memory Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 6:30 pm Dr. Sharbreon Plummer is a public scholar, curator, writer, and interdisciplinary artist whose work explores Black art history, craft and material studies, southern folkways, and cultural memory. In this lecture, Dr. Plummer will examine cultural histories and the role of art and craft in democracy, particularly in relation to the current political climate and Mazloomi's work within U.S. history. A native of South Louisiana, she has spent more than fifteen years developing programs and initiatives that support artists and communities of the global majority whose work advances freedom, liberation, and social change. Dr. Plummer's latest publication, Stories in the Seams: A People's History of Black Quilts and Their Makers, will be released in October, 2026. Free and open to all. Also on View: Rhythm of Change at Troy-Hayner Cultural Center The Troy-Hayner Cultural Center will join forces with I.D.E.A. Troy and community partners for a special exhibit, Rhythm of Change: The Transformative Power of Black Art, 1619–Present. The exhibit maps the visual flow of cultural change in America from 1619 to the present day and explores how Black artists, religious leaders, and activists worked within their spheres of influence to transform Ohio and our nation. Drawing on deeply rooted African traditions, interpreting contemporary challenges, and painting a way forward into a better future, Rhythm of Change explores some of the voices who laid down the beat of change. We will explore the epic of music, art, literature, dance, the pulpit, the stage, the screen and so much more. An exhibit opening reception will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026 from 3:00 PM–5:00 PM featuring refreshments, music, and an opportunity to experience the exhibit together as a community. Rhythm of Change will be on display at the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center from June 12 through August 9, 2026 and will be available free of charge during regular open hours. The graphic panels in this exhibit were researched and designed by the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center (NAAMCC) and a class of graduate students from Wright State University's Public History concentration. NAAMCC is located in Wilberforce, Ohio and is part of the Ohio History Connection's site system. Its mission is to help preserve and present Black history with regularly changing history, art, and cultural exhibits. The NAAMCC opened to the public in April 1988 and is the permanent home of one of the nation's largest collections of African American material culture, with over 9,000 artifacts and artworks, 350 manuscript collections, and thousands of photographs. Items include Alex Haley's typewriter and his final draft of Roots, Brigadier General Charles Young's uniform, Gregory Hines's tap shoes, an extensive art collection representing the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s, and a vast number of Black dolls, including the recently donated Lillian Bartok Collection. Learn more about the NAAMCC at the Ohio History Connection website. This exhibit is primarily sponsored through a grant provided by America 250-Ohio with support from the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center and community partners. As part of Troy's Juneteenth celebrations, the community is also invited to gather for additional events throughout the month. A free kickoff concert featuring the Deron Bell Band will take place at the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center on Friday, June 19, with light hors d'oeuvres and hibiscus punch beginning at 6:30 PM and music at 7:00 PM. Celebrations continue on Saturday, June 20 with the Juneteenth Community Celebration at McKaig & Race Park from 3:00 PM–6:00 PM, following a community walk from First Place Christian Center. The Troy-Hayner Cultural Center is proudly supported by the citizens of the Troy City School District through a local tax levy and generous gifts to the Friends of Hayner. Troy-Hayner Cultural Center is located at 301 West Main Street, Troy, OH 45373. Hours of operation are Monday 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Tuesday – Thursday 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Friday and Saturday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and Sunday 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM. The Hayner Center is closed on holidays. For more information, visit our website at troyhayner.org or call (937) 339-0457.

Traci Martin, President Greater Dayton Realtist Association By: Roger Rucker The Greater Dayton Realtist Association once again demonstrated its commitment to community empowerment and housing advocacy through its successful celebration of Realtist Week 2026. The week-long series of events brought together real estate professionals, community leaders, educators, advocates, and residents from across the Miami Valley for a powerful combination of education, service, networking, and wealth-building opportunities. Realtist Week 2026 focused on advancing fair housing, promoting homeownership education, strengthening professional relationships, encouraging community advocacy, and creating pathways to generational wealth. Throughout the week, members of GDRA worked diligently to fulfill their mission of educating, empowering, and elevating the Greater Dayton community one day at a time. The celebration officially began on Sunday, April 12, with a worship service at Good Samaritan Missionary Baptist Church on Germantown Pike. Realtist members joined the congregation for a meaningful morning of worship, prayer, and fellowship. Pastor Anthony Harvey Sr. delivered an inspiring message centered on having a hunger and thirst for righteousness, setting a positive and uplifting tone for the week ahead. Monday's activities shifted toward health and wellness with Realtist Fitness Day. Members and guests gathered at the Greater Dayton Recreation Center for an energetic pickleball event that combined fitness, fellowship, and friendly competition. The event provided participants with an opportunity to connect in a relaxed atmosphere while emphasizing the importance of maintaining both personal and professional wellness. On Tuesday, the association focused on community engagement during Community Day. GDRA members participated in a collaborative project at Belhaven Elementary School, demonstrating the organization's ongoing dedication to supporting local schools and neighborhoods. The event highlighted the importance of service and investing directly into the future of the community. Wednesday marked Advocacy Day as GDRA hosted its monthly education and networking meeting. The event welcomed numerous guests interested in learning more about the real estate industry, fair housing advocacy, and the mission of the Realtist movement. Attendees had the opportunity to connect with experienced professionals, exchange ideas, and build meaningful relationships that support both professional development and community advancement. Thursday's Fair Housing Day was held in collaboration with the Miami Valley Fair Housing Center at the Dayton Metro Library - Northwest Branch on Philadelphia Drive. The informational session focused on educating residents about their housing rights and the importance of fair and equitable housing opportunities for all. Participants received valuable information designed to help individuals better understand protections available under fair housing laws. Friday evening provided an opportunity for professionals in real estate and related industries to come together for networking and fellowship at Silo Modern Farmhouse in downtown Dayton. The event encouraged collaboration among industry professionals while strengthening the relationships that help support economic growth and development throughout the region. Yvette Page, Mayor of Trotwood The week concluded on Saturday with Wealth Building Day at Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley West Campus in Trotwood. Mayor Yvette Page and Vice Mayor Tyna Brown welcomed attendees and spoke about the exciting new housing developments being built in the city, emphasizing the importance of growth, opportunity, and community investment. Saturday's program was emceed and hosted by Kim Williams and Traci Martin, whose leadership helped bring the week's vision to life. Their efforts, along with the support of members, sponsors, and community partners, helped make Realtist Week 2026 a meaningful and impactful success. Through worship, wellness, service, advocacy, education, networking, and wealth-building, the Greater Dayton Realtist Association continues to demonstrate its dedication to creating stronger communities and expanding opportunities for families throughout the Miami Valley. Realtist Week 2026 served not only as a celebration of the organization's mission, but also as a reminder of the power of collaboration and community-focused leadership.