Forest Park council hears sponsorship request from National Pan‑Hellenic Council for youth conference at UC

Jamie McClinton, president of the National Pan‑Hellenic Council of Greater Cincinnati, presented a sponsorship packet to the Forest Park City Council Jan. 21 seeking city partnership for an inaugural youth conference on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

The conference is planned from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and targets middle- and high-school students across Greater Cincinnati. McClinton said organizers expect up to 300 attendees and have secured about 15 universities, police and fire cadet programs, trade employers and other partners. Program elements will include 16 sessions covering ACT/SAT prep, resume and essay writing, budgeting, stress management and civil service test preparation. Organizers plan two major scholarships (one male, one female), ten micro "book" scholarships, on-site raffles and up to five laptops as prizes. A catered breakfast, snacks and a sponsored lunch are also part of the proposal.

Sponsorship packages presented in the packet start at $500 with a presenting sponsorship at $5,000; McClinton said the packet also lists marketing benefits such as table space, inclusion in swag bags and recognition in printed and digital materials. Council members asked how the city could participate beyond financial sponsorship: Sylvester and Harrison were offered opportunities for tabling and volunteer engagement, and McClinton invited council members to serve as role models and facilitators during the interactive sessions.

Council Member Harrison asked whether the city could staff a table to offer information about local employment and city programs; McClinton confirmed the city could reserve a table and that volunteers and role models were welcome. Council members also asked about targeted outreach; McClinton said the conference is open to all Greater Cincinnati middle- and high-school students and that organizers have reached out to local school leaders, including Wynton Woods High School contacts and the school board. McClinton described active efforts to include students from lower-income neighborhoods through partner organizations and youth programs.

The council did not take formal action or vote on sponsorship at the meeting; members said they would discuss the proposal and follow up. McClinton left printed packets with the council and invited further questions or coordination with city staff.