CINCINNATI -- Back in July, the Reds and Major League Baseball brought together Cincinnati's African-American community, business leaders and the Black Lives Matter movement for a diversity summit. It was viewed as a way to avoid divisive protests about criminal justice problems for minorities and instead have a real conversation about the issues.
Several months after the All-Star Game spotlight has dimmed, the conversation has not stopped and it continues to shine a light on issues affecting the African-American community. On Wednesday at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the focus was on economics. The African American Chamber of Commerce, Cincinnati Reds, Major League Baseball and DeFuze It partnered for a Black History Month community forum called "Black Businesses Matter: Pathway to Prosperity.