2022 Impact Report

TELLING STORIES

If I’m being honest, the rush to get my two children to school is one of my least favorite times of day. Most mornings, I barely get my kids out the door on time. Many days, I’m still wearing a robe and pajamas. Luckily, I’m ensconced in my car where no one can see me. After I drop my kids off, I come home and get ready to go to work in a comfortable office.

Mothers like Imogene Curtis and Gertrude Clemons woke up every single day before dawn, dressed themselves in fine clothes, fed their children breakfast, did their hair, and then marched two-and-a-half miles, round trip, to Washington Elementary—one of the white elementary schools in Hillsboro, Ohio—to demand that their children have access to the same resources as white students. Most days, they faced racial slurs. And every day, they faced the subtle cruelty of disregard.

After the daily march, some of the mothers went to work domestic jobs in the homes of white residents. Others homeschooled some of the children in Hillsboro’s Black community—for no compensation.

Every time I think about the mornings the Lincoln School mothers faced with their children from 1954 to 1956, I am moved to tears. I think about how physically and emotionally tired they must have been. How much they probably wanted to stay in bed on the days when it was cold or rainy, like so many are in Ohio. Yet, every day, for two years, they marched on.

Almost 70 years later, this past fall, several of the children who marched every day for two years—Imogene’s, Gertrude’s and others’—sat among a standing-room-only audience in our new Ohio Humanities headquarters to watch a documentary film that tells their story. To see them being acknowledged and celebrated as they should be—not just within the film, but by people from business executives to government officials who attended the event—was incredible.

Ohio Humanities went all in on the Lincoln School Marchers this year, funding projects to champion this story, because it is one we want every Ohioan to know. We refreshed a documentary about the story and released it to the wider public so anyone anywhere can access it via our website. We hosted a VIP film screening to debut it. We generated media coverage. And we started work on a children’s book with author Carlotta Penn that Daydreamers Press will publish in 2023.

That’s just the beginning, of course. With your generous support, we also funded the telling of many other important stories around Ohio, granting over half a million dollars to storytellers from journalists to museums.

In some cases, without our support, this storytelling would cease to exist. Without our $20,000 sponsorship, for example, Cincinnati’s Books by the Banks Book Festival—a free event that features national, regional, and local authors, book signings, panel discussions, and more—might not have returned after the pandemic. Instead, hundreds of people were inspired by the power of the written word.

As I reflect on the year, I am in awe of the thoughtful and incredible work this organization helps make possible, and I am so proud to represent all of you in doing it. There are walking tours. Podcasts. Museum exhibitions. Events. And more—all that explore thought-provoking topics and ultimately connect us more deeply to each other and the world around us.

This year, our organization also crafted a new strategic plan to guide our work. While you can find a detailed plan on our website, you’ll see an abbreviated version within these pages that will serve as our north star moving forward.

Your support powers this important work. This report is a highlight reel of our impact in 2022, and I hope within it, you find examples of meaningful returns on your investment.

Thank you for sharing stories, sparking conversations, and inspiring ideas with us.

Rebecca Brown Asmo Executive Director, Ohio Humanities

519,013

DOLLARS AWARDED

48

ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTED

ALL 15

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS DIRECTLY FUNDED

355,000

OHIOANS REACHED

2022 GRANTS AWARDED

This year, Ohio Humanities awarded over $500,000 in grants to support storytelling statewide—and invested additional dollars into our own storytelling projects.

PROJECT GRANTS

ORGANIZATION

Chagrin Documentary Film Festival

For Chagrin Documentary Film Festival

Cuyahoga $25,000

Women’s Suffrage Monument Commission Franklin $25,000

For women’s suffrage monument at Ohio Statehouse

WVIZ/Ideastream Statewide $25,000

For Ohio Newsroom

Books by the Banks Hamilton $20,000

For Books by the Banks Book Festival

East Mount Zion Baptist Church

Cuyahoga $20,000

For oral history project Opening Eyes and Ears to History Lessons about Cleveland, Ohio

LADD, Inc. Hamilton $20,000

For Over-the-Rhine Film Festival

Mandel Jewish Community Center Cuyahoga $20,000

For Cleveland Jewish Book Festival

Shawnee State University Scioto $20,000

For Scioto Historical 4.0 mobile app and website

Trumball County Historical Society Trumbull $20,000

For local history and storytelling podcast

We Amplify Voices Franklin $20,000

For Life: In Focus, an oral history project with incarcerated women

Wood County Museum Wood $20,000

For exhibit Allure & Illusion: A Rose Colored Romance

Holocaust and Humanity Center Hamilton $19,940

For oral history project Tell Me your Story: Cincinnati Holocaust Survivors

Midstory Lucas $19,800

For documenting Asian American and Pacific Islander voices in Ohio

Athens County Historical Society and Museum

For Finding Invisible Ground: Immersive Storytelling historic markers

Athens $19,425

MARCHING ON SPOTLIGHTING THE LINCOLN SCHOOL MARCHERS

After Brown v. Board of Education was decided in 1954, a group of Black mothers in Hillsboro, Ohio marched their children to the white school, demanding admission. After being rejected, they woke up the next morning and marched again. And again. For two years. Their fight was among the longest sustained protests of the civil rights movement and had a ripple effect that extended nationwide. Ohio Humanities sees the value in this story, though it remains relatively unknown. We’re on a mission to change that by championing the Marchers’ story in very intentional ways through

self-funded projects. We updated “The Lincoln School Story,” a documentary we first helped fund years ago. We hosted a standing-room-only crowd for the film’s VIP screening in Columbus. We unearthed new research and perspectives on the story for a feature in our new annual magazine, Lumen. And we generated media coverage around the story, including from NBC and CBS in Columbus. We will continue sharing this story in many ways, including through a children’s book now in the works.

DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING LEANING IN

Ohio Humanities has a rich history of supporting interesting and impactful documentary films, and we leaned into that in major ways this year. We sponsored the Chagrin Documentary Film Festival—a five-day film fest that draws thousands— and the Over-the-Rhine Film Festival, which celebrates inclusive documentary filmmaking. We also teed up an exciting, three-year partnership with Ohio State University’s Wexner Center for the Arts to support independent filmmakers-inresidence at the Wex who are producing humanities-informed documentaries. Plus, we continued supporting other documentary filmmakers in myriad ways. Congratulations to the documentaries and filmmakers we’ve funded in the past on these noteworthy achievements:

“QUEEN CITY KINGS”

by AfroChine was chosen for national distribution by PBS

“LET OHIO WOMEN VOTE” by ThinkTV/CET was awarded a regional Emmy

“PEERLESS CITY”

by

ORGANIZATION

Cincinnati Art Museum

LOCATION FUNDING

Hamilton $19,274

For exhibition Henry Mosler Behind the Scenes: In Celebration of the Jewish Cincinnati Bicentennial

Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage Cuyahoga $15,000

For documentary film “On Our Watch: A Death in the City and Other Stories”

Mandel Jewish Community Center

For Mandel JCC Jewish Book Festival

Ohioana Library Association

For Ohioana Book Festival

Cuyahoga $15,000

Franklin $15,000

Dennison Railroad Depot Museum Tuscarawas $7,500

For Historic Schoenbrunn Village’s 250th Celebration!

Hudson Library & Historical Society

For An Evening with Annette Gordon-Reed, author of “On Juneteenth”

Summit $7,500

ish Festival Hamilton $7,500

For expansion of walking tour Jewish Cincinnati: A Walk Through History

Marion Voice Folklife + Oral History

Marion $7,500

For Marion Voices in the Schools: Folklife + Cultural Heritage K-12 Residency

Ohio University Office of Research & Graduate Studies

For Hotel Berry audio storytelling project

Over-the-Rhine Museum

For Biography in Brick exhibition

Athens $7,500

Hamilton $7,500

Southern Ohio Folklife Scioto $7,500

For Latina/o/x in Southwest Ohio, a folklore-based community development project

University of Cincinnati Department of History

For Wyandot Virtual Removal Trail Prototype

Wexner Center for the Arts

For Carol Newhouse: WomanShare exhibition and events

Wexner Center for the Arts

For education programs and resources for “To Begin, Again”

Hamilton $7,500

Franklin $7,500

Franklin $7,500

Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor Mahoning $7,487

For Women and Work, an oral history project and exhibit

North Union Farmers Market

For workshop Living Roots: Ohio’s historical foodways, alive today

Bowling Green State University

For Music in Arab America, a set of online programs and podcast

Cuyahoga $7,476

Wood $7,455

David Bernabo and Amanda Page won the Founders’ Award from the Appalachian Cinematic Arts Council

University of Cincinnati, Center for the City

For Becoming Story Bearers: Cincinnati Comprehensive Oral History Training

Stewards of Historical Preservation

For Portage Path Public Archaeology

International Women’s Air & Space Museum

For Women in the Early Space Program—Mercury 13 exhibit reinterpretation

Ashland Main Street

For The Famous & Infamous Chautauqua—Living History

Robert O’Neal Multicultural Arts Center

For Cincinnati Black History Activity Book

For Fall Literary Festival Literary Cleveland

For Inkubator Conference humanities panels

Ohio Local History Alliance

For Ohio Local History Alliance Annual Meeting

Central State University

For Hanif Abdurraqib Presents: A Celebration of Black Performance

Clinton County Historical Society

For Talking Tombstones: A Sugar Grove Cemetery Living History Walk

Historic Southwest Ohio, Inc.

For YouTube video series Crafts and Trades of 19th Century Southwest Ohio

The International Black Business Museum

For creating the Ohio Virtual Black Civil Rights Business and Cultural Heritage Trail exhibits

Erie College

For Susan B. Anthony exhibit

Ohio Museums Association

For Ohio Museums Associations Conference sponsorship

Scioto Literary

For “Why I Stay” documentary planning

Shaker Historical Society and Museum

For Horseshoe Lake Digital Exhibition

Warren County Historical Society

For public lecture and discussion The History of Fibers

NEXT GEN

ATHENS YOUTH PODCAST PROJECT

After years of focusing our funding on adults, Ohio Humanities began championing youth storytellers this year, too. For the Invisible Ground podcast project, local historians and audio professionals teamed up with Athens Middle School students to develop four short podcasts on local historically significant Black stories. The podcasts broadcasted on WOUB radio and the Invisible Ground and Tantrum Theater websites.

Why I Give

“I give to Ohio Humanities because I agree with late Nobel Laureate and fellow Ohioan Toni Morrison, who said, “Narrative is radical, creating us at the moment it is being created.” When Ohioans learn the stories of our fellow Ohioans, and what their struggles and triumphs have been, we get to learn how we are interconnected. Our stories of how we are interconnected can inspire us to do the work of building stronger, more caring, more just communities that can strengthen our democracy.”

—Dr. Marilyn Mobley

CONVERSATION STARTERS

Ohio Humanities is powered in part by the generous contributions of donors who invest in our work.

Thank you for supporting us with your financial gifts.

C hampions $10,000+

John Glaze

Advocates $1,000-$9,999

Anonymous Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation*

David Descutner & Delysa Burnier*

Kathleen L. Endres*

Katherine Fell

Jane Gerhardt*

Tom and Kathryn Law

Kevin & Carla Miller

Mary Jane Pajk

Susan Ferraro Smith

$500-$999

Brodi J. Conover

Kristy Eckert

Kenneth F. Ledford*

Dan Moder*

Frank Schultz

Thomas Van Nortwick*

Allan Winkler & Sara Penhale*

$250-$499

Douglas & Marisa Brown

Henry C. Doll*

Laura & Pat Ecklar

Deena Mirow Epstein

Jay P. Giles*

Lance R. Grahn*

Carol & Frederick Jarosz*

John Phillip Keyes*

Vladimir Kogan

Stacia L. Kuceyeski*

Marilyn Sanders Mobley

Harold Niehaus

Emily Prieto

Kevin R. Rose*

Tony Sanfilippo*

Faye Sholiton

Sarah Sisser

Jeremy Taylor

Patricia N. Williamsen* InmemoryofJohnBryant

*DenotesLuminary—adonorfor5consecutiveyearsoramonthlydonor

$100-$249 Annual Emancipation Celebration Committee

Mary Ann & Michael Abrams

Jane & Stanford M. Ackley

James D. Aldridge*

Fred Andrle

Mark & Sandra Auburn*

Arthur & Kathleen Bauer

Barbara H. Brothers

Gwen Brubaker*

Kati Burwinkel

Samantha Chase

Mary DeVille

Patricia A. Diller

Christine F. Donaldson*

Carol Donley

Marvin E. Fletcher*

Ashley & Barbara Ford*

Meg Galipault*

Richard & Barbara Gebhardt*

Gay Marie Goden*

P eter & Lee Haas

Court Hall

Earnest & Nancy Hatfield*

Marilyn Hedges

Eloise Henderson

Edith F. Hirsch Philanthropic Fund, Jewish Federation of Cleveland*

Herman & Judy L. Hoerig*

Richard C. Irwin

Kristen Jemmott

Why I Give

“In taking the lead on the Lincoln School story, Ohio Humanities has proven to be a trustworthy organization. The enthusiasm shown and multi-faceted attention given to the story proved to me that Ohio Humanities is worthy of my trust in donating to support the forward movement of the expansion of the film. From the beginning, I have admired the sensitivity given not only to the story, but to my friends who lived the story. The expansion of the Lincoln School story into so many facets gave such a boost to the participants that it took on a fresh life. This was very exciting to me. I hope my gift does inspire others to donate to Ohio Humanities to support their favorite programs.”

—John Glaze

Why We Give

“We contribute to Ohio Humanities because we believe in its mission and strongly support the creative, educational work it funds in communities all across Ohio. We also believe that the humanities, in all their expressive forms, are essential to preserving and indeed strengthening America’s democracy. Unfettered exposure to the humanities ensures citizens know history and how to think critically; learn to act with empathy as they develop a deep appreciation for personal, cultural, and religious difference; and value the importance of securing social justice and equality for all Americans.”

—David Descutner & Delysa Burnier

CONVERSATION STARTERS (continued)

$100-$249

Sharon Jo Kern

InmemoryofG.Richard“Dick”Kern

Cathy King

Eleanor W. Kingsbury

Judith Kitchen

Emil & Jean Kmetec

Vicki Knauff

Christine Knisely & David McCoy*

Donald Lateiner*

Mindy McGinnis

Dennis & Karen Moriarty

Andrea Benza Morwood & Robert F. Morwood*

William J. Muthig

Richard & Leslie Pavlak

Gale E. Peterson

Myra Phillips

Margaret Piatt & James White*

Roger D. Ray*

Michael Romanos & Carla Chifos

Page Sampson

John & Barbara Schubert

Robert Seeman & Karin Jacobson

Carey Snyder

Doreen Uhas-Sauer & John Sauer

Thursday Conversational Club

Lou Varga

Edgar Walter*

Thomas M. Way

Marilyn Welker

Catherine & Nick Wilson

InhonorofRay&LoisKiddandKentonKirschner

$50-$99

Dave Ambrose*

Anonymous*

Fred & Joy Bartenstein*

Richard Benedum & Julane Rodgers*

Jim Calder

Lorraine Castor

Patricia Cochrane

Marian Conn*

Alexandra Coon

Ronald & Carolyn Cull

Mary & Robert Daley

Jeff Darbee & Nancy Recchie

Robert W. Dorsey

Peggy Erskine

Cailynn Fox

Alice Gibson

Joseph T. & Kathleen M. Gorman

Ann Whitehead Hanning*

James L. Hart*

Shirley Hedges

Betsy Hedler

Faye A. Heston

Susan Kalcik

Kathy Kinnard

FOUNDATION + CORPORATE SUPPORTERS

Joyce M. Kittrell

Raymond E. Leisy

Michael Les & Karen Benedict

Louis & Rene Levy

Rebecca Lewis

Kevin Lydy

Eleonora & Sanford Marovitz

David Merkowitz*

Martha Morss

Allen & Sue Musheno*

Leslie Ramsey

Scarlett Rebman & Jesse Hysell

Renee Rebman

Carol Revilock

Susan Schueller

Springfield Rotary Club

Kelly Stevelt

Jim Stratton

Charles Terbille

Becky & Larry Trover

InmemoryofThomasH.Langevin

Jackson E. Winters

Megan Wood

*DenotesLuminary—adonorfor5consecutiveyearsoramonthlydonor

STRATEGIC PLAN

Our new strategic plan will guide our work over the next decade, and we look forward to collaborating with our supporters and partners as we pursue these important goals. This high-level overview offers a snapshot. For the full plan—including one-year goals, three-year goals, and key performance indicators for each tactic—visit www.ohiohumanities.org.

EXEMPLIFY

We exemplify how the humanities enhance public life.

Develop a clear case for support for the humanities that demonstrates how the humanities guide individuals to lead lives of consequence and contribute to a vibrant civic fabric through meaningful relationships, intellectual curiosity, successful careers, and civic engagement.

Increase flexible grantmaking by diversifying revenue streams that bring the humanities to communities across Ohio.

Engage cross-sector partnerships with the purpose of advocating for and funding the humanities in Ohio.

AMPLIFY

We amplify diverse, emerging, and nontraditional leaders in bringing the humanities to life for future generations of Ohioans.

Prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our organization’s makeup and practices.

Contribute to an ecosystem that connects emerging, non-traditional, and experienced humanities practitioners to build cultural capacity and capital on the local and state level.

Provide capacity-building grants to support Ohio’s next generation of storytellers and humanists.

SHARE

We share meaningful stories that connect us to one another.

Elevate stories that have been historically underrepresented.

Support accessible storytelling modes like documentary film, independent journalism, and digital humanities.

Grow our audience.

OHIO HUMANITIES BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sarah Sisser

Executive Director, Hancock Historical Museum

Findlay, OH

Annie Bezbatchenko

Senior Program Officer, The Teagle Foundation

Bexley, OH

Brodi Conover

Partner, Bricker Gradon, Attorneys at Law

Lebanon, OH

David Descutner

Retired Dean, Ohio University

Athens, OH

Deena Epstein

Retired Senior Program Officer, George Gund Foundation

Chagrin Falls, OH

Katherine Fell President, University of Findlay

Findlay, OH

Susan Ferraro Smith

Author and Speaker

Westlake, OH

Jane Gerhardt

Policy Specialist, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

Cincinnati, OH

Lance Grahn

Former Dean, Kent State University, Trumbull Cortland, OH

Vladimir Kogan

Associate Professor of Political Science, Ohio State University

Columbus, OH

Stacia Kuceyeski

Chief Operating Officer, Ohio History Connection

Columbus, OH

Kevin Miller Superintendent, Licking Heights Local School District New Albany, OH

Marilyn Mobley

Emerita Professor of English and African American Studies, Case Western Reserve University

Beachwood, OH

Dan Moder Executive Director, Greater Licking County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau

Newark, OH

Harold Niehaus

Career Connections Director, Preble County Educational Service Center

Eaton, OH

Mary Jane Pajk

Head of External Communications, Global Services, Strategy & Operations, Amazon Web Services

Dublin, OH

Emily Prieto

Case Manager, Molina Healthcare

Columbus, OH

Kevin Rose

Historian and Director of Revitalization, Turner Foundation

Springfield, OH

Tony Sanfilippo Director, Ohio State University Press

Bexley, OH

Carey Snyder

Professor of English, Ohio University

Athens, OH

Jeremy Taylor

Dean and Professor of History, Defiance College

Defiance, OH

Thomas Way

Executive Director, Urban Frontier Organization

Steubenville, OH

“Ohio Humanities is sharing stories that help us to reflect upon our experiences—both shared and different— to continually learn from one another.”

—Sarah Sisser, Ohio Humanities Board