I first met Fernando in December of 2009, when he was a guest on my Local 12 Bengals Weekly segment, “In the Zone”. We shared great conversation as he talked about everything from his Mexican heritage, his journey to Cincinnati, and his goal to find a cure for Juvenile Diabetes, which his son was diagnosed with at age 10.

Two things struck me after meeting him…1) He was passionate about everything we discussed, and 2) He wrote a letter to me the same day, expressing his thanks for the interview and also invited me to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) gala that May.

Our second meeting was on the top floor of Chiquita headquarters (the 29th to be exact) in downtown Cincinnati. We sat around a conference table to share more conversation, but this time, with an important purpose. We discussed the upcoming JDRF Gala, the importance of it to the community, and talked about different avenues to add value in a personal and meaningful way.

So the idea was to combine some of our passions…mine being BowTies and his being to support JDRF. Therefore, we decided to design and create a special BowTie for the gala that would hopefully raise awareness and generate funds.

Needless to say, that idea went a little further and is now the BowTie Cause, which has partnered with over 40 non-profit organizations around the nation to do exactly what we did for JDRF. Fernando’s willingness to entertain the idea was crucial to the beginning of BowTie Cause and he was ultimately the catalyst to our success.

Over the past couple years I’ve been fortunate to develop a great friendship with Fernando. We’ve shared lunches, dinners, and countless hours of meaningful conversation that has made me a better person, which I’m sure he’s done for others.

It was through conversation that we met and through conversation that I know how leaving Cincinnati was a difficult decision on Fernando, his friends, and his family. As I’ve had to do in the past, saying goodbye to a community is never easy, but like he’s been a friend to me, I have no doubt that he’ll always be a friend to the city of Cincinnati.

- Dhani Jones

Mr. Jones delivers an address in the Clinton School Speaker Series. This is his second appearance at the Clinton School, with his first being over two years ago. During his first appearance, Dhani was interviewed by Chad. The conversation with Chad is what started it all.

At the University of Michigan, Dhani defined himself as more than a football player.  Living in the East Quad, he received his degree through the Residential College, where students “lived and learned” together.  He also created his own major called Self-Representation, and studied artistic works in relation to how it defined the person behind them.

Our friends over at Stonecreek Dining Company West Chester distributed the BowTie cards on Mother's day to all of their patrons.

The prompt: what Mom means to me.

Have a look at the designs!

It was one year ago today that the Bow Tie Cause launched with a Bow Tie for JDRF. Since then, we have partnered with 24 Causes, sold over 5,000 Bow Ties, & raised more than $200,000.

What a year.

In honor of our one year anniversary, we are launching the Bow Tie blog (ahem), which will include almost daily updates on the Bow Tie point of view. We look forward to our many contributors, as well sharing something cool with you.