Our Mission
We reimagine and redevelop underutilized spaces for the purpose of education, culture, health, and peace — so that zip codes do not define the success of children, youth, and families.
Our Vision
To establish a world class urban empowerment zone that ignites a cultural renaissance and neighborhood revitalization movement.
Our History
Founded in 2016 by Dr. Karlos L. Marshall and Moses B. Mbeseha, who met while pursuing their undergraduate degrees at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, The Conscious Connect Community Development Corporation (CDC) is one of the leading organizations working at the intersection of urban education and neighborhood revitalization.
Guided by the vision and voices of the communities it serves, the organization is rooted in asset-based community development and a place-based approach. The Conscious Connect CDC is the United States' only grassroots organization with the primary mission of eradicating urban book deserts. Operating primarily within a 50-mile radius of the Greater Miami Valley region, spanning South Springfield to West Dayton, the organization has cultivated an innovative 21st-century literary ecosystem that sustains literary oases in low-to-moderate-income neighborhoods and communities.
The organization's founding initiative, The Root, established more than 65 literacy stations in barbershops, beauty salons, and other small businesses, launching an international advocacy campaign to #EndBookDeserts. Championing access to literature as a human right has become a defining pillar of the organization's work to close opportunity gaps.
Beyond literacy, The Conscious Connect CDC is transforming neighborhoods by partnering with government agencies to remove blighted structures, acquire vacant lots, and return them to productive use as neighborhood pocket parks. The organization honors the legacy of past cultural movements while helping shape a bold and visionary future for the communities of today and tomorrow.
Meet Our Founders
Dr. Karlos L. Marshall
Co-Founder & President
Born and raised in the Champion City of Springfield, OH, Dr. Karlos L. Marshall has been internationally recognized for his work as a social entrepreneur and the Co-Founder of The Conscious Connect CDC. Dr. Marshall specializes in cultivating collective impact and place-based strategies between public schools, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, neighborhood associations, businesses, and local residents.
He earned is Doctorate in Education with a concentration in Organizational Leadership. His dissertation was titled, ‘The Power of Urban Pocket Parks and Black Placemaking: A (Re)Examination of People, Policies, and Public-Private Partnerships.
Dr. Marshall also earned his Masters of Science in Education from the University of Dayton in 2015, with a specialization in Higher Education. Prior to that, he graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Arts in Philosophy with a minor in Africana and Diaspora Studies in 2013, from Wittenberg University.
Moses B. Mbeseha, MBA
Co-Founder & Vice President
From State College, PA by way of Buea, Cameroon, Moses is a community organizer with a passion for social policy, economics and sports. Moses enjoys working with other community organizers to find solutions to ongoing problems as well as volunteering at different service areas in his community. In his free time, Moses is often involved in recreational sports or working with local political leaders. Moses has demonstrated skills in project & business management, marketing, fundraising, strategic planning, and community organizing.
He pursued studies in Political Science and Africana Studies at Wittenberg University, where he graduated with his Bachelors in 2013. Moses earned his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Dayton in 2020. He is currently pursuing his Masters in Public Health from the University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill.
Meet the Staff
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Destinye Arnold, MBA
PROJECT MANAGER
Destinye Arnold is a passionately driven worker and volunteer in her native community of Dayton, OH. Destinye has been inspiring and educating youth since she was an adolescent through volunteerism. She obtained a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Ohio University and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Dayton.
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Castel Sweet, PhD
DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
Castel Sweet is a practitioner-scholar who explores the intricacies of community, culture, and race. She works to build the capacity of organizations and individuals by providing administrative and community engagement expertise. She collaborates with organizations and individuals to help them reach their full potential and achieve sustainable outcomes.
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Lucas Christian Smith
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
Lucas Christian Smith was born in Columbus, Ohio, and has lived in Springfield his entire life. As the Operations Coordinator for The Conscious Connect CDC, he restocks 16 Houses of Knowledge (little libraries) and maintains the beautification of three pocket parks in the Southside of Springfield.
“Many groups have come to the CCLRC wishing to help in the revitalization of the hardest hit neighborhoods in our City. The Conscious Connect, Inc. has been one of the few that have been consistent in delivering on their mission and pushing to complete their goals.”
— Ethan Harris, Assistant Executive Director, Clark County Land Reutilization Corporation
Our Board
Raphael Allen, PhD
Board Member
Director of Community Outreach and Engagement, Springfield Foundation
Sean Freeman
Board Vice President
Hope Zone Project Manager, Omega CDC
Lisa Dunn
Board Member
Executive Director, The Center for Career Exploration and Development, Central State University
Josh Colbert
Board Member
Career Tech Education Specialist and Lead Placement Specialist, Cliff Park High School
Kwaunisha Moore
Board President
Owner, Blessed Beauty KLM
Yvette Kelly-Fields
Board Member
Regional Director of Development, Miami University
Jessimi Jones
Board Member
Executive Director, Springfield Museum of Art
Kaitlyn Tyler
Board Member
The Greater Springfield Partnership
Funders
Special thanks to those who helped lay the foundation for the organization to become a national leader in urban child-to-youth literacy and community development.
