ELEVENTH Annual

Donald and Marian Spencer
“Spirit of America” Awards

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 5:30 at the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati. Retired WLWT5 anchor/reporter Courtis Fuller will again serve as emcee.

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. Mr. Spencer died in 2010, before the inception of the awards. Ms. Spencer participated in the dinner each year until her death in 2019.

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 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.

• Costco Wholesale is recognized for its long-standing commitment to equity, inclusion, and community well-being—values that closely align with the spirit of the Spencer Awards. Guided by a people-first philosophy, Costco has set a national standard for fair wages, comprehensive benefits, and inclusive workplace practices that create opportunity and dignity for employees at every level. Beyond its workforce, Costco invests deeply in the communities it serves through philanthropic partnerships, disaster relief efforts, food security initiatives, and support for nonprofit organizations that advance education, health, and economic stability. By pairing ethical business practices with meaningful community engagement, Costco demonstrates how corporate leadership can deliver enduring, positive impact and help expand opportunities for diverse populations across the region and beyond.

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