December 30, 2025

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As 2025 has come to a close, one of the most remarkable moments has been witnessing and celebrating the impact our commissioners continue to make across the Near East Side. From completing leadership academies to stepping into new professional roles, our commissioners are true assets bringing talent, dedication, and heart to our neighborhoods. It is an honor to serve alongside them.

During the holiday season, we came together to confront food insecurity by collecting and donating items to support families at Legacy Pointe and Central Community House. We also wrote encouraging messages to youth at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. These simple but powerful acts reflect our deep care for those who live, work, and invest in our community.

In terms of development, we approved 6 new projects this quarter, bringing our 2025 total to over 212 housing units added to the Near East Area. Yes, this is low for our neighborhood, but given the economic hardships out of our control, 212 is better than none, and soon more families will be able to call the near east side home. We are doing our part to ensure this neighborhood remains a place where people can live and thrive.

I am thrilled that we will once again have a full commission. Four new commissioners will join us in 2026. They bring a wealth of experience from social work, Near East Legacy, law, and more. Collectively, they have already brought great ideas that will make our work in this new year intentional and aligned.

As Marian Wright Edelman reminds us, “Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.”

We welcome you to step in and serve. The commission is more than a table—it’s a gateway to City Hall, community impact, and real change. Join us in 2026 and Let us move forward together, grounded in pride for this community, mindful of its people, and committed to the work of making the Near East Side not only visible…but thriving.
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In Community,

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Nathan L.R. Harris, Ph.D.
Commission Chair​​