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Check Out Highlights from Market Madness 2025!
Looking Back on An Amazing Night: The 2025 Annual Awards
It was truly an unforgettable night for the Alpaugh Family Economics Center!
Our 2025 Annual Awards at Fifth Third Arena brought together an inspiring group of educators, business leaders, community volunteers, and supporters of financial education and economic research.
We are proud to celebrate our outstanding honorees:
– Roll Hill School, StEP School of the Year
– Fifth Third Bank, StEP Volunteers of the Year
– The African-American Chamber of Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky, Research Impact Award winner
– Brian Brockhoff, recipient of the Economic Empowerment Award
A heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsors and to moderator Dan Hoard for leading an insightful panel on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) with UC Senior Deputy Athletic Director John Daniel, Cincy Reigns chair Brian Fox, Cincy Sports Partners president Ryan Holmes, Head Women’s Basketball Coach Katrina Merriweather, UC women’s basketball student athlete Reagan Jackson, and Rhinegeist Sales Director Dana Cummin. Their discussion offered powerful perspectives on the future of college athletics.
Special thanks to our Emerging Leaders for organizing a successful raffle and split-the-pot fundraiser to support financial education in schools.
Check out our photo album below to relive an incredible evening celebrating #TheWorkThatMatters!
You can watch the full 2025 Annual Awards Program Here!
The 2025 Annual Awards Raffle is Open--Buy Your Tickets Now!
When you purchase a ticket for the 2025 Annual Awards Raffle, you’re doing more than entering to win great prizes—you’re investing in students, educators, and the future of financial literacy in our region!
Your purchase supports the Susan Sargen Student Enterprise Program (StEP), which brings real-world financial education into elementary and middle school classrooms across Greater Cincinnati. Through StEP, students learn to earn, save, donate to causes they care about, and make thoughtful money choices.
It also funds programs like The Stock Market Game, which turns thousands of Ohio students into confident, informed investors each year, and helps us provide top-notch professional development that equips educators with the tools and confidence to teach economics and personal finance effectively.
Each $5 raffle ticket helps ensure more children and educators gain these lifelong skills in a way that’s fun, meaningful, and lasting.
Join us in making a difference—and maybe win something exciting along the way!
The 2025 Annual Awards Are Fast Approaching!
The Alpaugh Family Economics Center’s 2025 Annual Awards are fast approaching on April 23rd at Fifth Third Arena.
This year’s event includes a keynote panel that delves into one of the most transformative developments in college sports—the NCAA’s Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules. These rules have forever changed the landscape of college athletics by allowing student-athletes to capitalize on their success.
Our esteemed panel features UC Assistant Athletic Director John Daniel, Men’s Basketball Coach Wes Miller, Women’s Basketball Coach Katrina Merriweather, Football Coach Scott Satterfield, representatives from Cincy Reigns (UC Athletics’ official NIL partner), and UC student-athletes.
Together, they’ll explore the opportunities and challenges of NIL, including its impact on recruitment, athlete development, and the ever-shifting dynamics of competitive college sports.
Interested in joining us as an Annual Awards sponsor? You won’t just be part of an engaging and timely discussion. You’ll also be making a direct impact on critical programs like the Susan Sargen Student Enterprise Program (StEP), which has empowered tens of thousands of Tristate students with essential life skills—budgeting, saving, the power of generosity, and careful decision-making. The values instilled through StEP will serve these students throughout their lives, helping to build a financially responsible future generation.
Your sponsorship will also fuel the growth of $martPath, our award-winning online financial education platform that is transforming financial literacy worldwide. With your support, $martPath can continue to scale, offering millions of students the practical knowledge they need to confidently navigate today’s increasingly complex financial world.
We’re proud to recognize the companies and foundations that have already signed on as sponsors of our event!
Successful Start to a New Year of StEP!
- More than 90% of students saved some of their StEP earnings for good behavior and attendance, and 18% of students saved ALL their StEP dollars in October. We have a new gift card lineup this year, and students are very excited about those, which is a great incentive to pass up the smaller items at the store and save their money, instead!
- Students earned bonuses of over $116,000 in StEP bucks for doing things like introducing themselves to volunteers, helping with math, and asking questions. Many also completed bonus activities in their StEP books, which earned them a coupon for $25 off their purchase at the StEP store.
- Students donated nearly $100,000 StEP bucks to various charitable organizations in first quarter!
- We had 133 StEP volunteers who spent nearly 368 hours working with StEP students in schools during the month of October. That’s amazing!
Center Researchers Compile 2024 Holiday Retail Spending Forecast for the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants
Working on behalf of the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, the Economics Center’s research team analyzed data to create the 2024 Holiday Sales Forecast.
Among the findings:
- The Economics Center forecasts a 1.1 percent increase in Ohio relevant retail spending for the 2024 holiday season compared to the 2023 season, with total sales of $30.4 billion.
- Full-year relevant retail sales in Ohio have exhibited sustained growth over recent years. However, relevant retail sales have experienced smaller year-over-year gains since the first half of 2022.
- Online shopping continues to be a growing component of retail sales, although growth is stabilizing since the COVID-19 pandemic. Growth in nonstore retail sales, which includes online and mobile shopping, has exceeded overall retail sales growth in Ohio since 2013.
To read the full report, CLICK HERE.
First Quarter Susan Sargen Student Enterprise Program (StEP) stores
The Susan Sargen Student Enterprise Program (StEP) kicked off October with a bang, hosting StEP stores at schools across the Tristate area almost every day of the month!
Each quarter, StEP gives students the exciting opportunity to manage their hard-earned “money” from good behavior, attendance, and classroom achievements. At the StEP store, they can make real-world decisions: spend their earnings on fun items like toys and school supplies, save up for bigger rewards (and earn interest while they do!), or donate to a meaningful charity selected by their school.
None of this would be possible without our incredible team of dedicated volunteers and business partners! Pictured here are some of the wonderful people who help make StEP such a success, connecting with students at checkout as they weigh their financial choices.
Our volunteers continue to be impressed by the students’ sharp math skills, their thoughtful decision-making, and their generosity in supporting causes like animal shelters, pediatric cancer research, and college scholarship funds. We’re proud to foster these important life skills while making a lasting impact on our community.
Thanks again to our amazing StEP business partners below!
Measuring the Economic Impact of Oklahoma CareerTech
The Center’s research team, in collaboration with Oklahoma CareerTech, conducted an in-depth analysis of the economic impact generated by Oklahoma CareerTech’s 29 technology centers, 16 skills centers, and 32 adult education and financial literacy providers. The results are remarkable, revealing a nearly billion-dollar contribution to the state’s economy.
Altogether, the direct and indirect economic impact of Oklahoma CareerTech’s tech centers, Skills Centers and AEFL providers totaled $960,013,839 and supported 8,654 jobs with $456,203,361 in wages in 2023.
“This remarkable figure reflects the transformative power of our workforce training and educational programs, which equip Oklahomans with the skills needed to succeed in high-demand industries,” said CareerTech State Director Brent Haken. “This impact goes beyond numbers — it represents stronger businesses, higher-paying jobs and a more resilient workforce.”
CLICK HERE for more details!
Thanks To Our 2024-2025 StEP Business Partners!
The Susan Sargen Student Enterprise Program (StEP) is shaping the future of thousands of students in Greater Cincinnati by equipping them with essential, lifelong financial skills—and it’s all made possible thanks to our amazing StEP store volunteers!
This school year, we’re beyond excited to have incredible support from local companies that are not only lending a helping hand by volunteering but also investing in StEP’s success through financial backing. These partnerships are driving real change for our students!
Join us in celebrating our fantastic business partners for 2024-2025!
Interested in volunteering with StEP this quarter? Click the button below for details and registration!
Center Researchers Measure the Multi-Billion Dollar Economic Impact of Black Owned Businesses in Southwest Ohio & Northern Kentucky
Center researchers are in the middle of a multi-year project to measure the economic impact of Black-owned businesses in our region.
Here are some of the highlights from the latest round of research released in July:
- In 2023, Black-owned businesses in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky generated approximately $1.5 billion in direct sales and employed 9,024 people with earnings totaling $341.2 million.
- These businesses supported nearly $1.4 billion more in indirect sales, supporting 7,448 jobs with $293.8 million in earnings.
- Overall, Black-owned businesses contributed more than $2.8 billion in total sales, directly and indirectly supporting 16,472 jobs with $635.1 million in total earnings.
- State and local jurisdictions benefited from $34.3 million in earnings and sales tax revenue generated by these businesses.
- The industries with the most Black-owned businesses in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky were the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry; the Retail Trade industry; and the Other Services industry.
“This is another groundbreaking study that displays the growth and economic power of Black-owned businesses in the Greater Cincinnati area,” said Eric Kearney, President and CEO of the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce. “It is important for Greater Cincinnati’s business, civic, and political leaders take note of these accomplishments.”
“Our findings highlight the substantial contributions of Black-owned businesses to the economic fabric of Southwest Ohio,” said Brad Evans, Co-Executive Director of the Alpaugh Family Economics Center. “The data reveals that these businesses are a driving force in job creation and economic development, reinforcing the importance of continued support and investment in minority-owned enterprises.”
This research work also got quite a bit of media attention.
CLICK HERE for Local 12 News coverage
CLICK HERE for WVXU coverage
CLICK HERE for WCPO coverage
Center Researchers Measure the Economic Impact of Non-Profits in our Region
This summer our researchers also measured the economic impact of local nonprofit organizations on behalf of the Human Services Chamber of Hamilton County. The Human Services Chamber is an organization that represents more than 90 human services groups in Hamilton County, with the mission of developing and advocating for public policies that provide opportunities for all community members to reach their full potential.
Among the highlights:
- Our researchers found that nonprofit groups contributed $2.9 billion in total economic output, supported 41,023 jobs, and accounted for $1.3 billion in total wages.
- In addition, the study showed nonprofits generated a total of $87.1 million in earnings and sales tax revenue.
This research work on behalf of the Human Services Chamber also got a lot of attention from the media.
CLICK HERE for the Cincinnati Enquirer’s coverage.
CLICK HERE to watch WLWT’s coverage.
CLICK HERE to read the Cincinnati Business Courier’s coverage.
CLICK HERE for Movers & Makers’ coverage.
Summer Professional Development Sessions Draw a Crowd
Educators work incredibly hard during the school year, so summertime brings an opportunity for a well-deserved break. Which is why we’re so inspired by the teachers who turn out for our summer professional development sessions!
Our Director of Programs and Professional Development, Emily Schalk, put together some great in-person PD workshops around Cincinnati this summer.
Educators have visited Cincinnati’s Music Hall, the Cincinnati Art Museum, and the Nancy and David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center in June, learning about everything from career pathways in the arts, to the intersection of art and business, to nurturing character strengths in students!
We’re grateful for our community partners at these organizations for helping us with these engaging sessions. And a big thanks to the teachers who took time out of their precious summer break to learn with us!
Market Madness 2024 Is a Huge Success!
Market Madness 2024 was a rousing success, with more than 1,100 local students, their teachers, and parent chaperones descending on UC’s Fifth Third Arena for a day of entrepreneurship, collaboration, and fun!
Market Madness is the culmination of our Susan Sargen Student Enterprise Program (StEP). Students form classroom businesses, interviewing with our volunteers for leadership roles (CEO, CFO, Marketing Director and more). The kids then decide what products to create, how to mass-produce them, and how to market them. Then, on May 6th, a parade of school buses dropped the kids off outside Fifth Third Arena. We turned the floor of the arena into a marketplace, with kids setting up their sales booths and signs. They then took turns selling, buying, and touring campus.
A HUGE thanks to our amazing Market Madness sponsor, Sycamore Capital, for making this event possible again this year!
And thanks to our phenomenal army of volunteers who kept the huge crowd of kids happy, safe, and engaged in this fun learning activity.
The 2024 Annual Awards at Great American Ball Park
We had a spectacular night at Great American Ball Park for our 2024 Annual Awards! A huge thanks to the Cincinnati Reds for their collaboration, particularly our fabulous keynote panel including Reds Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations Karen Forgus, Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall, and Reds President Phil Castellini. And having Reds legend George Foster there made the night even more special!
Congratulations to all our award winners, including Deer Park Community City Schools as our Susan Sargen Student Enterprise Program (StEP) District of the Year, Colette Smith from the Muskingum Valley ESC as our Personal Finance Educator of the Year, our friends from Messer Construction Co. as our StEP Volunteers of the Year, Bill Neyer as our Economic Empowerment Award winner, and Western & Southern as our Research Impact Award winner!
Thanks once more to our amazing sponsors as well! Your support means we’ll be able to bring financial and economic education to even more students next year.
Weren't able to attend the Annual Awards? Click play to watch the full program!
On behalf of The Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce (AACC), the Center’s research team released the results of its study, “The Economic Impact of Black-owned Businesses in Southwest Ohio Communities.” Our analysis found the economic impact of Black-owned businesses on our region totals more than $2.1 billion dollars. The impact of Black-owned Businesses in Southwest Ohio communities is responsible for directly employing 5,914 people with more than $306 million in earnings throughout the Cincinnati Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).
In 2021, on behalf of the AACC, the Center’s research team conducted the first study of its kinds in the nation that quantified the economic impact of Black businesses, setting a benchmark for this analysis.
With the right information, you make better choices. We empower students with high-quality financial education, and provide research clients with the data analysis they need to drive decision-making.
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YOUR SUPPORTat Work
| $15 | supports one child for an entire year of learning in our StEP program |
|---|---|
| $50 | pays for two student teams to participate in the Stock Market Game |
| $100 | covers the cost of economic and financial education lessons and materials for one classroom |
| $500 | pays for a teacher to attend professional development sessions to learn how to integrate economics into the classroom |
| $5000 | provides the materials for one elementary school to participate in our StEP program for an entire year |
We’ve been in service to educators for more than 40 years, providing them with high-quality workshops, book clubs and more.
Looking for some fun, bite-sized financial literacy? We’ve created a new video series, featuring some of your favorite puppet characters from our original, Emmy-winning $martPath videos. Our new $martPath Snacks videos are short, but just as engaging, and they also deliver early money concepts to an audience of younger children.
See them yourself by clicking the button below. And please subscribe while you’re there!
Centering Black Women’s Upward Mobility in the Cincinnati Region
“The economy isn’t equal for everyone”. That’s how our research team led off its presentation on the findings of our work on behalf of The Women’s Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation to assess Black women’s economic mobility in our region.
Through their analysis, Center researchers found that in 2018, Black women held 10% of jobs in the five lowest-earning occupation groups, but less than three percent of jobs in the five highest-earnings occupation groups.
