College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning
Office of Enrollment Management
Red & Black Sponsors
Castellini Foundation
Carl H. Lindner College of Business
Cincinnati Reds
City of Forest Park
College of Allied Health Sciences - School of Social Work
College of Arts and Sciences
College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services
College of Engineering and Applied Science
College of Law
College of Medicine
College of Medicine - Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Department of Public Safety
Division of Student Affairs
Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Jerome Jackson, Phar ’89
Alvin C. Jones, MD, MS
Nanocan Therapeutics Corporation
Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Community Impact
sponsors for their generous support!
Red & Black Sponsors
Reversal Therapeutrics, Inc.
Secure Your Gold
Wesley A. Spencer, Bus ’77
SURE Mechanical
The Cochran Firm
UC Blue Ash College
UC Foundation
UC Libraries
Fountain of Eternal Youth Sponsors
Cincinnati Works
Alvin H. Crawford, MD, Hon ’18, and Jean Crawford
Ed Donovan, Bus ’72, ’73
ExpertConnect
Interact for Health
Paycor
RiskVersity
SORTA/Metro
Patron List Donor
Tamika Vinson-Reid, A&S ’99
Dear Bearcats and Friends,
As the Chair of the African American Alumni Affiliate, I thank you for attending the 11th Onyx & Ruby Gala. Tonight, we gather to celebrate and honor alumni, students, faculty and staff who have positively affected the UC family and the broader community around them. As we stand on the shoulders of those who have preceded us, we salute six great Bearcats who are similarly building their own legacies. In learning their stories, we also are reminded to keep sowing seeds for those who will follow us, and to always be mindful to “lift as we climb.”
Just as importantly, we unite to raise funds in support of the Shani Scholarship, which helps students pursue life-changing international co-op and study abroad experiences. Helping today’s students in this way creates greater leaders for tomorrow, who likewise will sow their seeds — and the cycle continues.
Moving the future forward,
Brian
Brian Hardy, Bus ’01 Chair, African American Alumni Affiliate
Emcee
University Welcome
Student Welcome
Invocation
Program
Corinn Taylor, EdD, Nur ’99, ’01
Bleuzette Marshall, PhD, A&S ’92, CECH ’01, ’09
Jordyn Bailey, Nur ’26
Justin Gibson, Sr., Bus ’05
Dinner & Awards
Linda Bates Parker Legend Award
Emerging Leader Award
Student Trailblazer Award
Pillar of the Community Award
Shani Scholarship Presentation
Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins
Tower of Strength Award
Georgia E. Beasley Legacy Award
Acknowledgments
Candice N. Matthews Brackeen, A&S ’04
Aharon C. Brown, DAAP ’19
Jaela R. Kennedy, A&S ’25
Michael R. Moore, CEAS ’96
Cassandra Mayers, CAHS ’26
Alvin H. Crawford, MD, Hon ’18
Eric C. Broyles, Esq., UCBA ’90, Bus ’92
Closing
Brian Hardy, Bus ’01
Candice N. Matthews Brackeen, A&S ’04
Linda Bates Parker Legend Award
Candice Matthews Brackeen is a visionary entrepreneur, economic development leader, and venture capital investor. As the founder and CEO of Lightship Foundation and Lightship Capital, she has guided thousands of tech founders to secure over $500 million in funding for their own projects. Through initiatives like the Lightship Accelerator, Lightship Bootcamp, and Black Tech Week, Candice champions inclusive entrepreneurship while driving innovation. A recipient of the 2022 Inspire Change Changemaker Award from the Cincinnati Bengals and the 2023 Doritos Change Maker Award, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the College of Arts and Sciences, where she was a Hewitt-Kautz Fellow.
Aharon C. Brown, DAAP ’19 Emerging Leader Award
Aharon Brown is a trailblazing public servant and community leader, currently serving as the youngest ever mayor in the city of Forest Park, Ohio’s history. Since taking office, he has spearheaded major housing developments and chairs the city’s Planning and Economic Development Commissions. A committed civic leader, he co-founded the New Leaders Council of Southwestern Ohio and the Southwest Chapter of the Ohio Young Black Democrats. Aharon earned his Master of Community Planning degree from the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning, where he specialized in Community and Economic Development.
Jaela R. Kennedy, A&S ’25 Student Trailblazer Award
Jaela Kennedy is a distinguished student leader at UC, recognized for her dedication to academic excellence and community engagement. As Miss Kuamka 2023, she championed her platform, “Embrace Your Natural Crown,” encouraging Black students to celebrate their natural hairstyles and cultural identity. She has held numerous leadership roles, including president of the Cincinnatus Honorary Society, vice president of the Lambda Society, and president of both the National Residence Hall Honorary and the Council of Cultural Leaders. A Summer Work Experience in Law (SWEL) Scholar and member of the University Honors Program, Jaela has consistently earned Dean’s List recognition and is part of the prestigious Senior 100 Cohort. She will graduate with a Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies: Law and Society from the College of Arts and Sciences this spring.
Michael R. Moore, CEAS ’96 Pillar of the Community Award
Michael Moore is a dedicated advocate for Black professionals and the founder of Black Achievers, a nonprofit organization with over 200,000 members committed to fostering a strong and inclusive community. Under his leadership, Black Achievers has raised more than $2 million to support empowerment initiatives and promote inclusion. Recognized by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber as well as President Joe Biden, Michael is also a corporate executive and author of Achieve Your Dreams: The 9 Principles of African American Success. He serves on the boards of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Salvation Army and earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the College of Engineering and Applied Science.
Alvin H. Crawford, MD, Hon ’18
Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins Tower of Strength Award
Dr. Alvin H. Crawford is a world-renowned pediatric orthopedic surgeon and professor emeritus at the UC College of Medicine. The first African American graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Dr. Crawford directed Orthopedic Surgery at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for 29 years, where the Crawford Spine Center was named in his honor. He is celebrated for advancing scoliosis treatment and pediatric orthopedics globally, mentoring over 57 fellows and teaching in 43 countries.
A prolific scholar with over 200 publications, Dr. Crawford is the recipient of numerous accolades, including the AAOS Diversity Award, Scoliosis Research Society Lifetime Achievement Award, and Great Living Cincinnatian Award. He received an Honorary Degree from UC in 2018. Beyond medicine, he shares his passion for jazz as a lecturer at UC’s College-Conservatory of Music and remains active in mentorship through programs like Black Men in Medicine Cincinnati. His autobiography, The Bone Doctor’s Concerto, was published in 2023. Dr. Crawford also serves on the UC Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
Eric C. Broyles, Esq., UCBA ’90, Bus ’92
Georgia E. Beasley Legacy Award
Eric Broyles began his professional career as a trained corporate attorney, before pivoting into the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries as an accomplished entrepreneur for the past 15 years. Eric overcame significant challenges to earn an associate degree from UC Blue Ash, later earning a Bachelor of Business Administration at the Lindner College of Business and a law degree from the University of Virginia. Committed to supporting students, he donated $1 million to the Eric C. Broyles Student Success Scholarship Fund created for UC Blue Ash students intending to pursue a bachelor’s degree at UC’s Uptown campus. Eric makes frequent trips to UC Blue Ash to meet students and share his story. Eric also serves on the UC Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
The Carl H. Lindner College of Business congratulates all 2025 Onyx & Ruby Gala honorees for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the University of Cincinnati community, including Lindner graduate Eric C. Broyles, Esq., UCBA ’90, Bus ’92. Join us in creating a community for all students, faculty and staff to be and grow into their best, authentic selves.
11th Annual
Onyx & Ruby Gala
Congratulations to Aharon C. Brown on receiving the Emerging Leader Award!
Aharon C. Brown
Emerging Leader Award | DAAP ‘19
As a dedicated leader and visionary, Aharon, you inspire DAAP students and alumni across the globe with your passion, purpose, and commitment to service. Thank you for representing DAAP and your community with excellence as a mayor and trailblazing role model.
DAAPworks 2025
April 29 – May 3
Each year, the DAAPworks event highlights the creative output of the graduating class from the top-ranked College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning at the University of Cincinnati.
Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition
February 28 – March 30
Contemporary Arts Center
DAAPworks Opening Reception
April 29, 6:00–8:00PM
College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning
Fashion Show DAAPFASH2025–The Show
May 2, 7:30PM
MegaCorp Pavillion
Click here to learn more
Congratulations to the 2025 Shani Scholarship Recipients!
Samara Chatrath, a second-year Medical Sciences and Political Science student (3.9 GPA) in the College of Medicine, is a member of the University Honors Program and co-founder of the Dahyabhai Foundation, which provides educational and public health resources to students and pregnant women in rural Gujarat, India.
Studying in Costa Rica.
Don Jason, a fourth-year doctoral student (3.98 GPA) in the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, majoring in Health Education, volunteers with Columbus and Cincinnati-area nonprofit organizations, planning and executing health initiatives for Black men.
Studying in Ghana.
Adriana Morgan, a third-year International Business & Marketing student (3.4 GPA) in the Lindner College of Business, is a Founding Executive Board Member and Co-Social Media Chair for Curled Collective, a student organization which seeks to empower students to embrace their natural hair and cultural identities.
Studying in Brazil.
Consider giving directly to the Shani Scholarship to help support students seeking study abroad or international co-op opportunities.
CEAS WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE ONYX & RUBY GALA HONOREE
Michael Moore
BSME ‘96
Pillar of the Community Award
The College of Engineering and Applied Science cultivates a vibrant community where students thrive, empowering them through collaboration, innovation, and a dedication to engineering excellence.
The CEAS Office of Professional Development and Community Impact supports students, staff, and faculty with a mission to foster community partnerships through engineering access programs for 7th–12th graders, offering the Emerging Engineering Program for incoming and current students, building a supportive college community, and promoting personal and professional growth across the college through tailored development pathways.
Congratulations to the 2025 Onyx & Ruby Honorees!
Eric C. Broyles, Esq.
UCBA ‘90, Bus ‘92
Candice N. Matthews Brackeen
Eric C. Broyles, Esq.
UCBA ’90, Bus ’92
Candice N. Matthews Brackeen
A&S ’04
A&S ’04
Alvin H. Crawford, MD HON ’18
Michael R. Moore CEAS ’96
Aharon C. Brown DAAP ’19
Alvin H. Crawford, MD HON ’18
Michael R. Moore CEAS ’96
A&S ’25 Congratulations to the 2025 Onyx & Ruby Honorees
