Robert "Chip" Harrod
Robert C. "Chip" Harrod is President & CEO of
BRIDGES for a Just Community, formerly the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) of Greater Cincinnati, and has served as the organization's leader for more than 25 years.
With more than 30 years of experience in the field of human relations, Mr. Harrod has dedicated his career to issues of inclusion, equity and social justice and has become well-known as an innovator of human relations programming.
As chief executive officer of BRIDGES, Mr. Harrod has overall responsibility for administration, programming and development for the region's leading human relations organization serving metropolitan Cincinnati and northern Kentucky. During Mr. Harrod's tenure as executive director, the organization has experienced a dramatic increase in revenue, staff and programs while being governed by a highly-engaged and diverse board of prominent civic leaders.
Noteworthy among Mr. Harrod's contributions was his role as originator and founding President of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and his leadership in bringing about the successful repeal of Cincinnati's anti-gay City charter amendment, Article XII. In 1993 under his leadership, NCCJ was awarded the contract by Major League Baseball to conduct diversity training for the Cincinnati Reds organization, the first franchise of any pro sport to undergo such education. He is presently a member of the Ohio Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
Mr. Harrod earned a B.A. in History from Franklin College and an M.A. in American History from Xavier University. He also holds a J.D. from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law, Northern Kentucky University, and is a licensed attorney.
Chip is married to Teresa Dave, has three daughters and three granddaughters, and resides in Montgomery, Ohio.
Posted By: Robert "Chip" Harrod
Posted: 10/22/2009
The spotlight shines on Public Allies Cincinnati, a program of BRIDGES, as the Entertainment Industry Foundation's "iParticipate" media campaign launches this week with community service as its primary theme. There is definitely a resurgence in the desire to give back and make a contribution -- citizens in our city and across this country are signing up to serve at unprecedented rates. Nationally, applications for AmeriCorps alone are already up 208% from last year.
The Public Allies Cincinnati program recruits diverse young adults, ages 18-30, and places them in 10-month paid apprenticeships with local non-profit organizations. Thanks to the increased funding through AmeriCorps, resulting from the recently passed Serve America Act, BRIDGES was able to hire 10 additional Public Allies this year, bringing the total to 40 Allies. Through the efforts and idealism of these young, civic-minded Allies working in our Greater Cincinnati community, we have witnessed first-hand the unquestioned value of their contributions to our local nonprofits and to the thousands of clients they serve.
The increased interest in service is a glimmer of hope during these dire economic times, while the opportunities for citizens to make a difference toward meeting our nation's most urgent challenges are also expanding. Last year, Public Allies Cincinnati accepted one of every four applicants. More than 90% of our partner organizations reported that Allies met or exceeded their service goals. Over 80% of Public Allies 2,800 graduates nationwide are continuing careers in nonprofit and public service.
In Cincinnati, Public Allies opened in May 1998 with a class of 24 Allies, while this year, there are 40 Allies in the program. Over the course of the last 10 years, the program has graduated 250 Public Allies. Following the life-changing work they do as Public Allies and Fellows, these young people often spend their careers making tremendous contributions in the public sector. If that's not a win-win, I don't know what is! For more information about Public Allies Cincinnati, visit
www.bridgescincinnati.org or call Un Jin Krantz at 513.381.4660, ext. 785.
Posted By: Robert "Chip" Harrod
Posted: 10/21/2009
"BRIDGES for a Just Community" speaks to our essential role in the Greater Cincinnati community as a builder of bridges - bridges of understanding that span the social distance between groups, connect them through education and shared experiences, and join them together in the pursuit of a just community.
The name also proudly reflects a distinctive feature of our local topography -- the bridges that span before us as thousands of walkers and runners participate in the upcoming BRIDGES Walk for a Just Community & Freedom Run on Saturday, October 24, 2009.
The walk/run will start and finish at Sawyer Point Yeatman's Cove with a certified 5K (3.1 mile) route. BRIDGES Walk is the largest diversity walk in the area. Festivities begin at 9 a.m. and the Walk begins at 10 a.m. Following the walk/run, participants can celebrate with lunch and a multicultural festival. All proceeds support BRIDGES leadership programs including Public Allies Cincinnati and the annual Police/Youth "Live-In" program.
GE Aviation is serving as the presenting sponsor of this 11th annual BRIDGES Walk For A Just Community & Freedom Run, hosted by and benefiting BRIDGES and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Other walk sponsors include Mercy Hospitals, Ethicon Endosurgery, Inc.; Catholic Healthcare Partners; The Zaring Family Foundation, Corken Steel Products Company; Xavier University; University of Cincinnati; Darden Restaurants; The Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati; The Kroger Company; and media partner Local 12.
If we as individuals truly want a more inclusive, equitable and just Greater Cincinnati for all people, it must begin with us. So consider getting involved and join BRIDGES on Saturday, October 24th!
To register for the BRIDGES Walk for a Just Community & Freedom Run, visit our
site or simply show up on Walk Day!
Posted By: Robert "Chip" Harrod
Posted: 10/20/2009
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center announced yesterday it is hosting "Without Sanctuary: Lynching Photography in America" from January through May next year. While the exhibit depicting the violent atrocities from America's not so distant past are sure to conjure conflicting reactions, perhaps even anger on the part of some, BRIDGES for a Just Community is proud to serve as the exhibit's Senior Partner to support and help foster the community discussions the exhibition will provoke.
Lynching is a heinous part of our country's past. Similar to the powerful exhibits one finds in the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum that honor the lost lives of millions of Jews and other victims of Hitler's Final Solution, this exhibition honors and pays respect to the victims of lynching. It is important to remember that this era of overt racial bigotry and hate crimes gave rise to the establishment of several seminal civil rights organizations, including the NAACP, the National Urban League, and our own BRIDGES for a Just Community --- previously the National Conference of Christians and Jews (NCCJ).
At a time when genocide continues to plague the world, violent hate crimes are increasing around the country, and a brutal display of a noose is used to harass an African American student right here in our own community, we believe that educating people about this chapter in our history will ultimately result in a better understanding about the past, which will in turn foster a sense of healing and a commitment to protecting basic human rights. We also believe that the Freedom Center is the ideal venue to show Without Sanctuary - a "safe house" for important discussions about race in our community.
The exhibition, entitled Without Sanctuary: Lynching Photography in America, will be on display from January 19 through May 31, 2010 in the Freedom Center's Jack H. Skirball Changing Exhibit Gallery. Related educational materials and programs will be available
online and an extensive series of programs is being scheduled to coincide with the exhibition. We encourage people to experience the exhibit and to participate in one of the many community-based programs designed to foster dialogue about the exhibition's meaning, purpose and messages. Help make Greater Cincinnati a more inclusive, equitable and just home for everyone by joining others at the Freedom Center in looking back, bearing witness and keeping watch.