Q&A with Noah Sandel

Noah SandelMeet Noah Sandel. Noah is the new strategic communications associate at Hamilton County Community Foundation. In this newly created role, they will develop external brand messaging, drive editorial story planning, and engage in campaign communication strategies.


What excites you about your new role?

I’m excited and anxious about the role of strategic communications! From a personal perspective, my passions fall in line with CICF’s mission to dismantle systemic racism with the inclusive concepts of race, place and identity. My past experiences, present endeavors, and hopeful future all find themselves fit snug into how an equitable community—small and large—can only result in the greatest benefit for all humans alike. I get to utilize my existing knowledge of media and marketing while trying to crack the communication barrier between all our places in an equitable environment and to normalize diversity. Storytelling, speaking with those who truly make the changes needed to progress and aiding in the continuation of those people, organizations, and institutions all make me smile each day.

In this past year, what book, movie or album resonated with you in the strongest way and why?

This past year, the movie that resonated with me most (and always has, but the social climate brought it even further into who I am) is “Roll Bounce.” Some of you might be questioning, “Roll Bounce? Like that Bow Wow movie?” Yes! Specifically, since I am multiracial and living in this more aware and transparent world of our history of lacking acceptance for so many of those in minority communities, the character of “Mixed Mike” continues to strike me as integral. His role in the film provides a glimpse into how many of us are cast to a specific image of what American/Western society has so meticulously crafted to put us down or fashion us in singular spaces. There have been strong voices and determined minds within the past year that have offered education with only the payment of listening. And when we use our resources (experiences, art, news, each other, etc.), we can learn to better progress as Us.

What’s one thing you’re learning now, and why is it important?

One thing I’m learning now is, in all honesty, how community foundations function within the greater not-for-profit community. I come from work in the not-for-profit realm, but it was primarily focused to sports and youth rather than the opportunity to aid in driving a change in minds and hearts, like CICF and its affiliates do with the mission of racial equity. The importance of my learning of what is fully encompassed within the term, community foundation, allows me properly educate those through my marketing and communications role and my personal growth on how I can better my vision of a more honest future to provide that sensation of “Oh, there are people outside of my community and state that strive for the talk and the walk

What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?

My favorite way, especially this past year, is watching reality TV and General Hospital. Personally, I can’t call these “guilty pleasures” because, although they are constructed to be entertaining and dramatic, they provide us a chance to study the industry (if that’s your thing, too) and ourselves, in relation to how we socially react. Generally, I grew up with soap operas and am an ABC Soaps stronghold, so having that sense of comfort is relaxing. Lastly, seeing the production changes within these landscapes during this very real pandemic and continued fight for our rights and liberties.

What’s your most recent act of equity?

My most recent act of equity, besides the constant petitions, was sending a message to my county’s representative about student loan forgiveness and cancellation. Obviously, my message included both my support for federal forgiveness and the echoed chant of how it disproportionately hinders women and people of color. Sadly, I was upset and in disbelief by the response from him and his office. In summary, they said the students should simply understand how much it costs—rather than looking at the glaring intersectionalities and systemic principles (not unlike that of gerrymandering) created to cater toward specific groups. I urge everybody to let their voice be heard at this more direct and local level.

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