Category Archives: News

An Evening of Connection, Collaboration and Celebration at AAF Toledo’s Holiday Networking Event

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The Dec. 9 mixer with Toledo’s creative community features holiday vendors, a raffle in support of the Cherry Street Mission and a cashless bar

Toledo, Ohio — Toledo’s creative community is invited for an evening of festive networking and connection-building at the Merry Mixer @ TolHouse, presented by the American Advertising Federation–Toledo (AAF Toledo). The event is set to take place on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 6 – 10 p.m. at TolHouse, a private social club that caters to the vibrant, city-dwelling creative and entrepreneurial class.

“The Merry Mixer @ TolHouse promises to be an unparalleled experience, bringing together those in the marketing, communications, media and creative fields,” said Valerie Thompson, president of AAF Toledo’s board of governors and owner of Leap Graphics.

Featuring networking opportunities with various creative and media representatives, guests can also immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere with unique holiday vendors, featuring Toledo Soap Co., vintage clothier Muddy Rags and artist Duane Ackley, and participate in a raffle that supports the Cherry Street Mission. Holiday beverages will be available for purchase and light appetizers will be provided. Please note that TolHouse accepts debit and credit cards only. The event is cashless.

AAF Toledo has partnered with the following influential organizations on the event: Film Toledo, The Juice 107.3, Toledo Creatives, Press Club of Toledo, The Sojourner’s Truth, The Stalwart Magazine and the Toledo City Paper.

“The Merry Mixer @ TolHouse is more than just a networking event,” Thompson added. “It’s a celebration of the season, a platform for collaboration and an opportunity to support a worthy cause. Join us for an evening of connection, creativity and community spirit.”

Merry Mixer @ TolHouse tickets are $20 and are on sale now at eventbrite.com. For more information, visit aaftoledo.org or @aaftoledo.

Celebrate the Season with Toledo’s Creative Community on Dec. 9

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Embrace the magic of the holiday season with the biggest bash of its kind! Open to all, but especially for individuals in the creative, marketing and media community, our Merry Mixer is designed to make new connections and ignite your creative spirit at the vibrant TolHouse social club!

For the first time, several of the most influential creative and media organizations in the city will come together for a night of mingling complete with holiday vendors and raffle prizes. Each organization will have info and representatives so that you can learn more, ask questions, and meet connections that will lead to your next big opportunity!

Admission is $20 and tickets can be purchased online at eventbrite.com.

Event Details

Merry Mixer @ TolHouse

Saturday, Dec. 9: 6-10 p.m.

1447 N. Summit Street

Admission: $20

Tickets: eventbrite.com

Merry Mixer Partners

The raffle will support the Cherry Street Mission.

Welcome New Board Member, Nicki Gorny!

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Nicki Gorny is the features editor at The Blade. She’s been at the daily newspaper since 2017, and previously covered features and religion as a staff writer.

Nicki holds a bachelor’s degree in newspaper and online journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, where she double-majored in Spanish language, literature, and culture.

She started her career as an intern and copy editor for the New York Times News Service in Gainesville, Fla., before transitioning to cover crime and criminal justice for daily newspapers in Ocala, Fla., and Sandusky, Ohio.

Pressing Issues 2023: How to be a stronger LGBTQ+ ally in the media and the workplace

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The Press Club of Toledo hosted an engaging and thought-provoking discussion on Thursday, March 2 at TolHouse in Toledo.

Leaders from EqualityToledo, Toledo Lucas County Public Library and Owens Corning shared their experiences and helpful insights on pressing issues in the media and in the workplace.

Amy Brennan spoke about Courageous Conversations, which was implemented at her place of work at Owens Corning, as a way to have a safe space to communicate with team members.

“People sign up for a topic, listen and learn,” said Brennan.  Brennan went on to add they’ve discussed a wide range of topics like fears surrounding COVID-19, and more recently the deadly Michigan State shooting.

She reinforced that creating a safe space to openly discuss a wide range of topics helps to promote positive discussions in the workplace.  

Scot Henshaw with Equality Toledo said it’s all about creating a safe space for all people to work in. “Remove any preconceived notions of a person, get to know the person, and try and remove any stigma surrounding them.”

If a person self-identifies as lesbian, gay, straight, bi-sexual and so on,  it isn’t up to them to educate an entire company or business on their gender. Henshaw said that’s what Google is for.

Henshaw encouraged the group to create a working relationship first with a co-worker and then if a friendship develops more private questions can be asked but there should always be a safe and comfortable boundary expressed, or discussed.

Lucas Camuso-Stall moderated the discussion by asking questions about the group’s personal experience in the workplace, along with how the media is portraying LGBTQ+.

All three discussed how they can tell if a company or business is just “flying the pride flag” in the month of June and isn’t really living being open and accepting of all.

“We’re going to do our research,” said Camuso-Stall when looking to work at a company.  “We’re looking at your physical spaces, and policies to make sure you’re not just flying a flag in June.”

Henshaw said he feels like there is a lot an employee can do to help their company to come around to be more accepting of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. He said there are anti-trans bills popping up all the time and there is a lot we all can do to advocate and bring back to our companies to take a stand.”

Camuso-Stall ended the evening by asking “are we better off today than we were?”

The answers were similar, and boiled down to “yes”, but there is still work to do.