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- Exhibition Details -

Social cohesion can be elusive. When it’s working you don’t notice it, but when it’s lacking, the problems created by its absence become obvious. 

As the foundation of and for all of Cambridge, we see social cohesion in our community every day. It happens through the tireless work of nonprofits addressing urgent needs and protecting the values we hold dear. It happens through neighbors helping neighbors, and through the arts, sports, and community activities that offer spaces and places that welcome us all.  

In this exhibition we present moments of joy and solidarity, as well as isolation, in our community captured by Cambridge-based photographer Mark Ostow. We also share some of the everyday people who are local changemakers – people who foster our community’s sense of belonging and make good for their neighbors every day. 

We need them both -- social cohesion and changemakers – if we’re going to address the city’s most pressing problems with the big ideas and big hearts that make Cambridge so special. 

The Cambridge Community Foundation harnesses the power of collective action to ensure a vibrant, just, and equitable city for everyone. It has made social cohesion and economic mobility the pillars of a new strategic plan to address the city’s most pressing problems. Both are fundamental to a healthy civic society, and they’re inextricably linked. To advance economic mobility, we must support one another; to have social cohesion, we must create a path forward for the most vulnerable among us. 

Mark Ostow is a portrait photographer, NYC-born, Massachusetts-based, known for capturing the “indecisive moment,” though he has no idea what that means. He’s known for his presidential candidate portraits from the last three elections, published in New York Magazine, the Atlantic, and POLITICO, a frequent winner of The American Photography Awards, and a contributor to Redux Pictures. He’s a constant in Cambridge as the teacher of a teen photo workshop for more than 20 years. He is represented by Cambridge’s own BRIDGE Gallery in North Cambridge, and owns two cafes: Café Zing in Porter and Kickstand Café in Arlington. 

Join us for a panel discussion on social cohesion featuring local changemakers.

- Agenda -

-Panelists-

Christina Turner, Vice President of Programs and Grantmaking at CCF

Christina Turner leads CCF's grantmaking and programmatic initiatives, spearheading the development of strategic initiatives that strengthen economic mobility and social cohesion in Cambridge. She deepens partnerships with nonprofits and civic leaders to create lasting change, while overseeing the Foundation's Community Fund and other key initiatives that support Cambridge's nonprofit ecosystem. Christina serves on the board of the Equity Institute.

Rachel Plummer, Associate Director of CEOC

Rachel Plummer serves as Associate Director at Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee (CEOC), the city's anti-poverty nonprofit, where she leads initiatives focused on food insecurity and poverty reduction. She leads the Cambridge Food Pantry Network and is currently directing a three-year project to increase the network's capacity. A graduate of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Rachel is committed to centering community voices in programmatic and policy decisions.

Mark Ostow, Campaign Photographer for CCF

Mark is a portrait photographer, NYC-born, Massachusetts-based, known for capturing the “indecisive moment,” though he has no idea what that means. He...

  • Is a contributor to Redux Pictures

  • Is often a winner of American Photography

  • Has photographed all of 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential candidates for NY Mag, The Atlantic, and POLITICO

  • Has been teaching a teen photo workshop for 20-something years

  • Teaches a weekly veterans photo workshop

  • Is represented by BRIDGE Gallery in Cambridge

  • Owns two cafes: Cafe Zing and Kickstand

Uzochi Erlingsson, LEAS LAB Co-Founder

Uzochi Erlingsson, M.D is a medical doctor, a published research scientist, and an experienced venture capitalist. Her scientific research experience focused on Biochemical Genetics, and particularly inborn errors of metabolism. She is also the Founder and Managing Partner of Haegrun Holdings, where she is an accomplished executive and business analyst in healthcare and wellness early stage investment. She has a passion for service and devotes much of her time to non-profit work, including support for education and arts organizations, and specific initiatives to support women-owned businesses.

Marissa Molinar, Founder/Director of Midday Movement Series

Marissa Molinar is a professional contemporary dancer, arts administrative activist, and Founder/Director of Midday Movement Series, a grassroots initiative cultivating a new generation of dance leaders. She holds a Bachelors in Environmental Science from Brown University with a focus in Urban Conservation and Environmental Justice, and she holds a certificate in Contemporary Dance from the Professional Training Program at Gibney Dance in New York City. A late-comer to contemporary dance, Marissa's work focuses on creating artistic sustainability by empowering artists in their authentic individuality while building strong communities.

Emmanuel Mervil, Founder/CEO of Everybody Gotta Eat

Emmanuel Mervil, founder and CEO of Everybody Gotta Eat (EGE), is making a mark in Boston’s food scene. Inspired by his Haitian roots and his mom’s desire to feed “Everybody,” he grew EGE from a food blog and community giveback in Cambridge into a successful catering company. Known for his bold flavors and cultural cuisine, Emmanuel is also dedicated to addressing food insecurity and providing nutritious meals to underserved communities, shaping the future of Boston’s culinary landscape.

-Moderator-

Lauren Marshall, Vice President of Marketing and Civic Engagement at CCF

Lauren Marshall leads communications strategy and civic engagement at the Cambridge Community Foundation, where she amplifies stories of positive change and innovation in our community. Through CCF's Making Good campaign, she lifts up Cambridge's changemakers and helps build bridges across all sectors of our city. A Cambridge resident, Lauren drives initiatives that strengthen community connections and showcase the power of collective action in creating a more vibrant, just, and equitable Cambridge.