2026 Spencer Award Recipients Announced
The Cincinnatus Association will present the Eleventh Annual Donald and Marian Spencer Spirit of America Awards, honoring five Cincinnati area businesses and non-profits for promoting a commitment to prioritize serving diverse populations with equity and inclusivity.
The awards dinner will be held on May 21, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati. Retired WLWT5 anchor/reporter Courtis Fuller will again serve as emcee. Dinner tickets and sponsorship information is available by visiting www.cincinnatusassoc.org, emailing admin@cincinnatusassoc.org or calling (513) 294-8588.
Named after Cincinnati’s “First Couple of Civil Rights,” the Spencer Awards celebrate Marian and Donald Spencer’s achievements, and honors non-profits and businesses who exhibit conspicuous and enduring contributions to promoting greater inclusion and belonging in the community.
Marian Spencer was known for fighting to integrate Coney Island amusement park so her children could swim in the pool. She also was the first African American president of the Woman’s City Club of Greater Cincinnati and the first African American member of Cincinnati City Council. Donald Spencer was the first African American on the Cincinnati Park Board, the first African American broker on the Cincinnati Board of Realtors and the first African American trustee at Ohio University.
“When reading the nominations, we receive each year for the Spencer Awards, the outstanding work accomplished by so many organizations in our community to improve the lives of our citizens is an inspiration to us all. Cincinnatus has this unique opportunity to recognize and share with you the efforts of our honorees to help those in need achieve their ‘Cincinnati Dream’ through their services, education, and inclusion of all citizens” says Susan Noonan, chair of the Spencer Awards Committee.
The 2026 Spencer Awards will be presented to:
- Cincinnati Metro
- The Community Learning Center Institute (CLCI)
- MORTAR Cincinnati
- Miami University’s Urban Cohort
For more information visit https://cincinnatusassoc.org/spencer-awards/.
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