A Breakfast that Builds Futures
Cincinnati knows how to do breakfast. When Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati hosted its annual BIG Breakfast Presented by Cintas, the menu included more than coffee and conversation. It served a powerful reminder of how mentorship has shaped this city for more than a century.
Held at the beautiful Drees Pavilion, the 2025 event raised more than $200,000 to support youth mentoring across the region. The theme, “Hometown Heroes: Cincinnati’s Favorites Igniting Potential,” celebrated the local spirit that has powered the national mentoring movement since it began in Cincinnati in 1903.
A Legacy Born in Cincinnati
More than a fundraising breakfast, the gathering marked a return to the roots of mentoring in America. In 1903, Irv Westheimer founded the first Big Brothers program in Cincinnati. More than a century later, the organization continues to build connections between mentors and mentees that change lives.
Sallie Westheimer, granddaughter of the founder, shared personal reflections on how one act of mentorship grew into a national movement. Her story grounded the event in the power of legacy and community.
Hometown Icons Lead the Conversation
The event’s keynote panel was a nod to three of Cincinnati’s most beloved restaurant families, each with its own story of community building:
Dick Williams, CEO of Skyline Chili
Dean Gregory, Vice President of Montgomery Inn
Mike LaRosa, CEO of LaRosa’s Pizzeria
Moderated by Michelle Hopkins, the panelists spoke about how mentors shaped their leadership journeys. They shared how their businesses grew not just through hard work but through the support of people who believed in them early on. Each story tied back to the heart of Cincinnati: a city built on connection, loyalty, and shared values.
Honoring Real-Life Hometown Heroes
The morning’s most emotional moment belonged to Norm Boyd and Tyjon Cousins, the National Big Brother and Little Brother of the Year. Their inspiring story was proof that mentoring is not just symbolic. It changes trajectories.
They received the organization’s Defenders of Potential medals and commemorative jackets while the audience rose to their feet. Their bond represents what BBBSGC works to create every day: trusted relationships that open doors for young people across the region.
Community at the Table
This event brought together more than 300 business and community leaders. The funds raised will help match more Littles with caring mentors in Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana.
Jessica Esterkamp, President and CEO of BBBSGC, summed up the morning with simple clarity: “The BIG Breakfast embodies everything that makes Cincinnati special, our generosity, our hometown pride, and our belief in potential.”
A Century of Mentorship and Momentum
Cincinnati is more than the birthplace of chili, ribs, and pizza traditions. It is the birthplace of a movement that continues to ignite potential across the country. Events like The BIG Breakfast keep that legacy alive by investing in real connections that build stronger communities.
To learn more about mentoring or to get involved, visit www.bigsforkids.org.