PBS Western Reserve

City Centric Unwrapped Podcast Interview with Sthephanie Marie

Welcome to this episode of City Centric Unwrapped, hosted by Sophia Gillespie and Cassidy DeVol. Take a listen as Sophia and Cassidy converse with Sthephanie Marie, the host of City Centric.

The City Centric Podcast: An Interview with Sharon, PA’s, Tom Roberts

Tom was born and raised in the Scranton area (Clarks Summit, PA) taking part in performing arts and marching band throughout his high school and college years at Penn State.

He completed his MBA at Temple University and worked his way up from temporary employee to vice president of sales for MAAX before shifting his career to focus on community-based social enterprises.

He is the founding executive director of HopeCAT (www.HopeCAT.org) in Sharon, PA – based on Bill Strickland’s proven educational model.

He is CEO and founder of Rhys and Associates LLC - a management consulting firm serving for-profit and nonprofit companies and lives in Hermitage, PA with his wife Ryen. When not working, you might find Tom on stage at a theater in Sharon (www.actspac.org), performing improv, in his yard landscaping, or working on economic development projects throughout the region with an amazing team of community leaders.

Listen to how Tom stays in tune with placing Sharon, PA, on the big stage through education and entertainment of music and the arts with many generations.

The City Centric Podcast: An Interview with Youngstown’s Derrick McDowell

Derrick wears many hats in the Youngstown community. He is the founder of the Youngstown Flea, community engagement, and inclusion coordinator for the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, assistant director of the Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past, Thought Leader, and general lover of Youngstown.

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, with some Alabama roots, Derrick has successfully navigated the inner cities and corporate America. Derrick launched my first business in his late 30s and has worked with creatives and startups all over the region.

Derrick McDowell has been active in entrepreneurship, business, graphics, and startups for most of his career. The City of Youngstown is his passion.

Derrick is a Crossfitter, has a wonderful wife, children, and dog, and loves to work on side projects that enhance people’s lifestyles & health.

Take a listen to how rebuilding Youngstown starts with partnership, love, and acknowledgment of who Youngstown is in order for it to grow into the city it wants to become.

The City Centric Podcast: An Interview with Youngstown’s Sharon Letson

Sharon Letson was hired as the first Executive Director of Youngstown Cityscape in 2005. Youngstown Cityscape is a non-profit community development organization dedicated to revitalizing and beautifying the greater downtown Youngstown area.

The mission is strengthening Youngstown’s revitalized urban core that connects downtown, the YSU campus, and adjacent neighborhoods and gateways through strategic partnerships.

Under Sharon’s leadership, Youngstown Cityscape evolved from a group of 20 volunteers to over 800 volunteers maintaining flowerpots and garden beds, supporting community garden organizations, and caring for over 35,000 plants annually.

Youngstown Cityscape has partnered with the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, the County Land Bank, Youngstown State University, and a host of public and private entities on projects that assure the achievement of the mission.

Sharon has served on many boards and community organizations, from ACTION and Community Corrections to the Rotary Club of Youngstown and the Mahoning Commons Association.

In her spare time, Sharon enjoys her family, traveling, knitting, and of course, gardening

This year marks the 26th anniversary of Streetscape Day, a quarter of a century plus of convening volunteers and partners to beautify downtown, the gateways, adjacent neighborhoods, and parks.

Take a listen to how revitalizing Youngstown starts with the fertilization and beautification of the community through gardening.

The City Centric Podcast: An Interview with Youngstown’s Aspasia Lyras-Bernacki

Aspasia Lyras-Bernacki is the Co-Owner of Penguin City Brewing Company. She is the founder of Penguin City, the content creator and manager, and works in sales & distribution and taproom.

Penguin City Brewing Company was created in 2017 with her husband and head brewer, Richard Bernacki, in 2017. They released Penguin City Beer, their flagship, in August 2018 and quickly learned the ins and outs of distribution.

it was the fastest-growing local beer in their area getting the product in over 300 accounts in their first year,

Aspasia and her team bought a vacant 32K square foot warehouse on the city’s east side of town in 2020 and spent 2/12 years renovating it into a brewery, taproom, and event center.

She received the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber “Entrepreneur of the Year” award in 2022 with her husband and Mahoning Valley Historical Society’s “Commercial Revitalization Award” for renovating the brewery. 

Her love for her community and the Ohio beer culture drives the company to keep growing and expanding into new markets.

Take a listen to a history of Youngstown and local area breweries and how the resurrection of local breweries is a major part of revitalizing Youngstown.

The City Centric Podcast: An Interview with Youngstown’s Samantha Turner

Samantha Turner is a Youngstown City Councilperson serving Youngstown’s 3rd Ward. Born in Youngstown, Ohio she has been dedicated to public service as she begins her second term as councilwoman. She serves on the public health, public utilities, parking, and zoning committees.

Miss Turner is a University of Florida graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Advertising with a concentration in Business Administration.

In the community, Miss. Turner is active with the Rotary Club of Youngstown, the Rich Center for Autism, the Boys and Girls Club of Youngstown, First Night Youngstown, the Ebony Ladies Golf and Youth Foundation, the Historical Society of Youngstown, and the Mahoning Valley. Miss. Turner has also been appointed to the United States 250 Commission for Ohio. 

In their personal life, Turner is devoted to her family and remains active in her community. She is an avid reader, gardener, animal lover, and enjoys spending time with her son, family, and friends. 

Miss Turner is a dedicated public servant who has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of her constituents. Through her commitment to service, she has made a significant contribution to the community.

Take a listen to how building a stronger Youngstown starts with the investment of the people from the neighborhoods to the small businesses.

The City Centric Podcast: An Interview with Youngstown’s Jackie Popovec

The City of Youngstown is considered a home to many, including the local band, The Vindys. The sound of The Vindys can be attributed to vocalist, singer-songwriter, and guitarist Jackie Popovec, accompanied by guitarists John Anthony and Rick Deak.

At age 14, Popovec fell in love with music with the help of her father, who pushed her to pursue music professionally. From then on, she started writing songs and performing at local venues. In her early years emulated big singers from Steven Tyler to Etta James. Jackie developed her own voice matching the powerful voices in rock but with the style of jazz singers. 

Jackie spent time in Florida studying music production eventually coming back to Youngstown to open a small business with her family. After a few years, Popovec found herself in a position to join a band, which shortly after her inclusion, became The Vindys. 

Jackie hopes the Vindys and other groups will become champions for Youngstown in the growing art and music scenes.

Take a listen to Jackie's hope of Youngstown's art and music scene getting in tune with the growth and comeback of Youngstown.

The City Centric podcast: An interview with Kent’s Mike Beder

Mike Beder, a New England native, and his family moved around Massachusetts before moving to Ohio because of his father's work in the medical equipment industry. His family eventually moved to Ohio and settled in Westlake. Beder graduated from high school in Westlake, where his parents still reside.

Beder attended Kent State University. He participated in student government activities including student body president his senior year. During this time, he also bartended at the now Robin Hood Bar. With from his former boss at Robin Hood, Beder financed the purchase of Bellie’s Deli, what is now known as Water Street Tavern.

Mike Beder is now a father of two and a serial entrepreneur focused in hospitality, retail and property rentals. Mike is the owner and partner of the Water Street Tavern, The Loft, Venice Cafe, Kent Sportswear, The Cleveland Bagel Cafe and Lake House Kitchen + Bar  snd others. He is also involved in Gold Zone Rentals, a string of multibedroom rental houses located near Kent State University’s campus.

Beder also co-director of the Crooked River Arts Festivals, a nonprofit responsible for organizing the Kent Blues Fest, Kent Beatlefest, the Kent Rocks Music Festival, and the American Roots Festival.

Tune in and learn how Mike started investing in businesses throughout Kent in the future of the community.

The City Centric podcast: An interview with Kent’s Gwen Roseberg

Gwen Rosenberg has lived in Kent for 18 years and is currently serving her second term on the Kent City Council.

She has four kids who attended Kent City Schools and she and her husband work together at their popcorn and confectionery business called Popped!, with locations in Kent and Ravenna.

Tune in as Gwen shares how conducting business provides insight in being an elected representative in the community.

The City Centric podcast: An interview with Kent’s Candance Curtis

Candace Curtis, Executive Director of the Ben Curtis Family Foundation (BCFF) is dedicated to community empowerment and family support. Both she and her husband Ben, accomplished golfers on Kent State's men's and women's teams, back during their university years. Their life took them across the globe as Ben competed on the PGA Tour, with Candace adeptly managing their life on the road and supporting Ben's career with unwavering devotion. 

Together they founded this impactful organization driven by a heartfelt mission to combat food insecurity in their hometown of Kent. Residing in Kent with her husband and two children, her unique perspective as a parent with children attending schools served by the foundation highlights the crucial need for consistent food support throughout the school year as well as the summer. 

At the helm of BCFF, Candace adeptly manages strategy, marketing, and event planning, ensuring the foundation's vision extends to the communities it serves, as well as neighboring areas. 

Tune in to this interview and learn how Candance recognizes that raising awareness is pivotal for garnering support; and seizing every opportunity to engage with those willing to contribute to the cause and the community.