ELEVENTH Annual

Donald and Marian Spencer
“Spirit of America” Awards

The Cincinnatus Association 2026 Spencer Awards brought together nearly 350 community leaders, advocates, supporters, and changemakers on Thursday, May 21 at the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati for an unforgettable evening celebrating the enduring legacy of Donald and Marian Spencer and the organizations carrying that spirit forward throughout Greater Cincinnati. The Eleventh Annual Donald & Marian Spencer “Spirit of America” Awards recognized organizations committed to advancing opportunity, inclusion, equity, and community impact across the region.

The evening was marked by inspiration, emotion, and powerful storytelling. Cincinnati Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney graciously stepped in as emcee at the last minute, bringing warmth, energy, and heartfelt perspective to the program. Her presence reflected the collaborative spirit that defines both the Spencer Awards and the broader Cincinnati community.

Attendees were deeply moved by the acceptance videos and remarks shared by this year’s honorees, each offering compelling examples of leadership, service, and commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected region. The 2026 honorees included Cincinnati Metro, Community Learning Center Institute, MORTAR Cincinnati, and Miami University’s Urban Cohort. Together, their work demonstrates the powerful impact that mission-driven organizations and businesses can have when they intentionally invest in people, neighborhoods, and opportunity for all.

The Cincinnatus Association extends sincere appreciation to the sponsors, attendees, volunteers, committee members, and community partners who helped make the evening such a tremendous success. Most importantly, the event served as a reminder that the vision and courage of Donald and Marian Spencer continue to inspire meaningful action across Greater Cincinnati today.

Additional thank yous to our Spencer Committee Chair, Susan Noonan, Vice Chair Cindy Jones, event volunteer photographers Michael and Kimberleigh Szaz and reception entertainer James Ricks.

Guests can revisit the evening through the program, photos or the inspiring honoree acceptance videos by using the links above.

Nominations for 2027 Donald and Marian Spencer “Spirit of America” Awards will open in November 2026.

The 2026 Spencer Awards were presented to:

• Cincinnati Metro is honored for its sustained commitment to equity, access, and inclusion across Hamilton County. As the region’s public transportation provider, Metro connects residents to jobs, education, healthcare, and opportunity through expanded service hours, paratransit access, and innovative fare-assistance programs for seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and low-income riders. Metro has also made significant strides in advancing equity in contracting, dramatically increasing engagement with minority-owned businesses while supporting community events and cultural celebrations throughout the region. Through inclusive hiring practices, accessible communications, and long-standing leadership in civil rights and workforce equity, Cincinnati Metro exemplifies the spirit of service and opportunity at the heart of the Spencer Awards.

• The Community Learning Center Institute (CLCI) is recognized for its transformative, equity-centered approach to education and neighborhood revitalization. Serving as the backbone organization for Cincinnati’s nationally recognized Community Learning Center model, CLCI helps schools function as hubs for education, health, workforce development, and family support. Through deep partnerships with Cincinnati Public Schools and community organizations, all CPS schools now operate as community learning centers, expanding access to healthcare, early childhood education, mental health services, and enrichment opportunities. By intentionally addressing systemic barriers and placing schools at the center of community life, CLCI has delivered lasting improvements in student outcomes, family stability, and neighborhood well-being across Greater Cincinnati.

• MORTAR Cincinnati is honored for its decade-long commitment to creating equitable pathways to entrepreneurship for women and founders of color. Through its cohort-based Entrepreneurship Academy, individualized coaching, and community-centered support, MORTAR has helped launch and sustain hundreds of small businesses across the region. With more than 80 percent of participants identifying as people of color and the majority as women, MORTAR intentionally addresses opportunity gaps in economic development. Its permanent headquarters in Walnut Hills serves as both a business incubator and a symbol of neighborhood reinvestment. By fostering belonging, access to capital, and long-term mentorship, MORTAR strengthens communities through inclusive economic growth and civic opportunity.

• Miami University’s Urban Cohort is recognized for nearly two decades of sustained, community-centered impact advancing equity, justice, and human rights in Greater Cincinnati. Grounded in long-standing partnerships with historically marginalized neighborhoods, the program prepares students from diverse disciplines to become ethical professionals and collaborative leaders. Urban Cohort students learn alongside community members through immersive coursework, mentorship, and place-based engagement focused on education equity, housing justice, and systemic change. By positioning communities as co-educators and prioritizing mutual learning over service, the Urban Cohort has strengthened neighborhood organizations, empowered youth voices, and shaped generations of graduates committed to social responsibility and inclusive civic leadership.

For more information about the annual awards program contact us at admin@cincinnatusassoc.org or (513) 294-8588.