On this episode of Common Good for the Commonwealth, Nancy Grayson sits down with Sharmili Reddy, City Manager of Covington and member of Horizon Community Foundation's Council of Trustees. Together, they explore the role of public service in shaping vibrant communities, the exciting transformation happening across Covington, and why collaboration remains one of Northern Kentucky's greatest strengths.

From economic development and neighborhood revitalization to philanthropy, community partnerships, and the future of regional growth, Sharmili shares insights from her career in public service and her vision for creating places where everyone can thrive.

The conversation also highlights Horizon's innovative approach to community impact, the power of local philanthropy, and why the next generation gives her hope for Northern Kentucky's future.

In this episode of Common Good for the Commonwealth, host Nancy Grayson sits down with Rachael Parker to explore how creative placemaking is transforming communities across Northern Kentucky. From public art installations and artist residencies to BLINK, murals, and community-centered design, Rachael shares how the arts can strengthen local identity, spark economic growth, and create more vibrant, connected places for people to live, work, and gather.

Drawing on her journey from Maysville, Kentucky, to leading regional creative placemaking efforts, Rachael discusses the power of investing in artists, expanding arts access for young people, and building partnerships that leave a lasting impact on communities. She also offers a behind-the-scenes look at exciting projects underway in Covington, Newport, and Florence, as well as ArtsWave's vision as it approaches its 100th anniversary.

Whether you're an arts enthusiast, community leader, or simply curious about how creativity can drive positive change, this conversation offers an inspiring look at the role the arts play in building a stronger Commonwealth.

Guest: Rachael Parker, Director of Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking, ArtsWave
Host: Nancy Grayson, President & CEO, Horizon Community Foundation of Northern Kentucky

Andy shares his remarkable journey from a service-learning student in Cincinnati to becoming one of the youngest nonprofit executive directors in the country at just 25 years old. Together, Nancy and Andy explore the history and mission of Be Concerned, the importance of preserving dignity while serving families facing food insecurity, and how innovative thinking has helped the organization grow from a small pantry into a regional lifeline serving more than 50,000 Kentuckians each year.

They also reflect on the power of collaboration during moments of crisis—from the COVID-19 pandemic to SNAP disruptions—and discuss how communities can step up through time, talent, and treasure to support neighbors in need.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that creating common good starts with showing up, finding a way to “yes,” and believing that service can change lives—for both those receiving help and those giving it.

In this episode of Common Good for the Commonwealth, Nancy Grayson sits down with Rachel DesRochers, founder and CEO of The Gratitude Collective, creator of Power to Pursue, and a true community builder, to talk about what it means to lead with heart.

From building six companies to creating spaces where women feel seen, heard, and loved, Rachel shares her journey as a serial entrepreneur, the power of “low-tech tech” (real human connection), and why gathering people around a table can be just as transformational as gathering them in a room of 900.

“If my legacy is making people feel loved, then that’s my legacy.”

This episode is a reminder that community is built in the small moments, and that sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply create space for one another.

Listen now. 

#CommonGoodForTheCommonwealth #NorthernKentucky #TheGratitudeCollective #PowerToPursue #WomenWhoLead #Entrepreneurship 

In this episode of Common Good for the Commonwealth, host Nancy Grayson sits down with Anthony Bradford, founder of AmTitan, to explore how thoughtful development can transform not just neighborhoods, but entire communities.

From his early days working on homes in Louisville to leading large-scale multifamily and infill development projects across Northern Kentucky, Anthony shares the journey that shaped his passion for impact-driven work. His approach centers on revitalizing overlooked spaces, addressing the region’s housing shortage, and building what he calls the “missing middle," workforce housing that allows people to live, work, and thrive in the same community.

Throughout the conversation, Anthony reflects on the deeper responsibility of this moment: to build on the foundation laid by those before us, and to ensure the region’s growth remains inclusive, intentional, and sustainable for generations to come.

Anthony is both a member of The 410: Give Where You Live NKY and serves on its advisory board, helping guide and support this growing model of community-led philanthropy. Spanning 29 zip codes across Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties, “410" is the unifying number that connects Northern Kentucky’s communities—and the next generation of civic and charitable leadership. The 410: Give Where You Live NKY is building a stronger culture of giving across Northern Kentucky by bringing together people who live and work in the region to take part in hands-on philanthropic leadership. 

This episode is both a behind-the-scenes look at community development and a call to action: to think bigger about how we invest, in our neighborhoods, our people, and our shared future.