By Allen Howard
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Cincinnati Enquirer's Neighbor-to-Neighbor initiative, designed to bring diverse communities and people together to talk about racial issues, was honored Friday with the 2002 Community Impact Award by the American Marketing Association's Cincinnati chapter.

The award was presented to the Enquirer by Mayor Charlie Luken, who also recognized four other community-based groups.

Neighbor-to-Neighbor promoted meetings in more than 100 Tristate communities and neighborhoods. Volunteer hosts and facilitators brought together people in more than 130 sessions, discussing concerns and potential actions to improve race relations.

Rosemary Goudreau, Enquirer managing editor, said the effort "started people talking together, going to dinner, meeting in their homes and going to school and churches together. It was you and me talking."

She said a Neighbor-to-Neighbor steering committee expects to keep the campaign going.

Other finalists were:

MEDIAting Change, a campaign by WCET-TV to inform, engage and inspire people to respect cultural differences, build trust and unite the community through educational and cultural television.

The Source, a guide to business and Jewish life in Greater Cincinnati by Yavneh Day School.

Summerfair 2002, a display of fine arts and crafts that raises funds to support local artists and art organizations, while generating national recognition for Cincinnati as a hotbed of artistic talent.

Depression Awareness Campaign by the Health Improvement Collaborative of Greater Cincinnati.

E-mail ahoward@enquirer.com