This year, The Cincinnatus Association is excited to have The Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce partner with Cincinnatus to help in the planning and promotion of the "Spirit of America" Awards and the dinner.

The Signature Marian & Donald Spencer "Spirit of America" Awards will be held Tuesday, May 10, 2022, starting at 6:00 pm at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza (35 West Fifth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202).

The Cincinnatus Association is honored to have this unique opportunity to honor Marian & Donald Spencer, often called the "First Couple of Civil Rights" in Cincinnati, by giving awards to a for-profit and several non-profits for exhibiting conspicuous and enduring contributions to creating greater inclusion and promoting diversity in our community.

As many Cincinnatians know, the Spencer's lives were filled with firsts. Donald was a Cincinnatus member for many years, and Cincinnatus made both Donald and Marian permanent honorary members in 2007. Donald was the first African American on the Cincinnati Park Board; the first African American broker on the Cincinnati Board of Realtors; the first African American Trustee at Ohio University. Marian integrated Coney Island so her children could swim in the pool; she was the first African American President of Woman's City Club; the first African American Councilwoman and many other amazing accomplishments which we will highlight that evening.

Cincinnatus Association will celebrate the Spencer's commitment and achievements while also having a delayed celebration of its own 100 years of civic activism and community improvement, including its support of groundbreaking efforts in diversity and inclusion.

Please save this date on your 2022 calendar, nominate an organization, and plan to support this important civic and social event as a sponsor.

• Past Winners

• By Sponsoring you and your organization can make a statement about inclusion