I've been thinking a lot about why some people prosper while others don't, and the roles that luck and opportunity play.

I met a man recently who excitedly told me his story. He is from the Dayton area and grew up there in the late 1950s. When he was born, his family, who are African-American, lived in a low-income housing project. His dad had a low-wage job and it was all they could afford.

The Columbus metro region is growing at a phenomenal rate.  When the 2050 plan was rolled out a few years back, the prediction was that our region would grow by 500,000 people by 2050.  By 2029, we should reach that number.

Have you ever asked yourself, why are some neighborhoods full of beautiful, high quality homes, good schools, lots of thriving businesses while other neighborhoods have many boarded up and substandard homes with lead, mold, infestation, few thriving businesses and crime? Why in our community with so much opportunity, gang violence, despair and homelessness are increasing? And with our population increasing, will there be more people living in concentrated poverty?

The YWCA’s announcement of the 2017 class of Women of Achievement Honorees comes at a critical and opportune time for our community.

But first, congratulations to the 2017 Honorees. They have each accomplished much in their respective professions and have made significant contributions to improving the lives of others. Each lives the values of “we are our sisters and brothers keepers”.