Prodded by riots in the streets, Cincinnati's biggest corporations insisted Thursday they would provide jobs and economic opportunity to African-Americans starting this summer.

        “There have to be some immediate results,” said Herb Brown of Western-Southern Life Insurance Co. “We just can't afford to slide along until something else happens.”

        Mr. Brown joined Ross Love of Blue Chip Broadcasting, Charlotte Otto of Procter & Gamble Co., Dennis Cuneo of Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America and others in an early-morning session with Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken.

        On Wednesday, some of those leaders, plus members of the Cincinnati Business Committee (CBC) met with Mr. Luken at the Queen City Club, and urged prompt action to quell the violence. Top executives of some of the Tristate's largest companies are members of the CBC.

        They agree that once the violence subsides, it is up to local companies to spur more opportunity for minority workers and minority-owned companies.

        “There's work going on right now to make sure we can make the summer-jobs programs really work,” said Ms. Otto, global external relations officer at P&G. “But we've got to deal with first things first, and that's the disturbing violence on the streets.”

        The long-term moves could be funding for existing jobs programs, seasonal hiring from the companies themselves, direct loans or influence on local governments to give more contracts to black-owned businesses, said Sheila Adams, president of the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati and a participant in the discussions.

        She said companies also could start focusing their philanthropic efforts on specific neighborhoods.

        The talks came after days of rioting in Cincinnati's streets to protest the Saturday night killing of an unarmed black 19-year-old by a Cincinnati police officer. Permanent help?
        Business leaders have been on the sidelines for several days. They insisted that with the city's national reputation at stake, they would commit their resources and stay involved.

        Some didn't buy it. Phil Cox, an African-American who is president of Cox Financial Corp. downtown and a member of the CBC, said a commitment by local corporations is worthless unless it is permanent.

        “I think the serious commitment will be there for the moment, and then after the pressure dies down, we'll go back to business as usual,” Mr. Cox said. “History tells us that's how it is in this city.”

        Some of those protesting in City Hall on Thursday were not impressed. Robert Pace of Avondale, who said he was representing the Cincinnati Black Panther Party, said big business had failed to live up to its responsibilities.

        “It's more than just jobs programs,” Mr. Pace said. “They need to invest in the schools, invest in the infrastructure, invest in the people. I think big business should be in the forefront of philanthropy in the black community.”

        Michael Fisher, president of the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, said the business community wants to play that role, but that none of the programs would work until the violence subsides.

        “The long-term issue of economic inclusion in race relations is going to be the key to a healthy community and a vibrant economy,” he said.

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