Faith. Patience. Involvement.

        That's what Cincinnati Community Action Now (CAN) wants from residents and the business sector.

        For the first time in months, Cincinnati CAN's three chairmen — Ross Love, president and chief executive of Blue Chip Broadcasting; the Rev. Damon Lynch III, pastor of New Prospect Baptist Church and leader of the Cincinnati Black United Front; and Tom Cody, a Federated Department Stores Inc. executive — met with some of Greater Cincinnati's top executives in a public forum.

        Nearly 300 business leaders packed the downtown Westin Hotel on Friday to learn what Mayor Charlie Luken's special task force has been doing for the past 79 days.

        Mr. Love said Cincinnati CAN's six action teams are commissioned to execute initiatives to eliminate racial disparities in housing, education, employment and economic opportunity. Though no specifics were revealed, he pledged the panel would have a comprehensive plan in place by September.

        The Rev. Mr. Lynch said the community has a healthy skepticism and many fear the effort will end like its six predecessors — producing reports but no progress.

        “We were supposed to be the lead horse in leading Cincinnati to some type of systemic change,” he said, but right now, “we're just in the race.”

        The chairmen urged business leaders to get involved.

        “It is simply good business to fix issues that are not working in our community,” Mr. Cody said. “The health of our businesses is dependent on the health of the communities we serve.”

        Michael A. Fisher, president and chief executive of the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, said the attendance was a positive sign.

        “It speaks a lot about the business community's interest in these issues,” Mr. Fisher said. “They truly care about the future of this community.”

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