2022 Onyx & Ruby Gala Digital Program Book

University of Cincinnati African American Alumni Affiliate

ONYX & RUBY Gala February 19, 2022 6:00 p.m.

Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support!

Red & Black Sponsors Bey & Associates Clever Crazes for Kids Gems for LaVerne Summerlin Interact for Health Jerome S. Jackson ’89 LifeCenter RiskVersity SURE Mechanical UC Black Faculty Association UC College of Arts and Sciences UC College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services UC Department of Public Safety UC Lindner College of Business UC Office of Equity, Inclusion and Community Impact UC Office of Undergraduate Admissions UpSpring

Fountain of Eternal Youth Sponsors The Abercrumbie Group BlueSky Creative, Inc. Deatria T. Walker ‘97, State Farm Insurance Double A Alumni Verity Healthcare, LLC

Rock of Truth Sponsors Fifth Third Bank J. Phillip Holloman ’78

Patrons List Justin ’05 and Jami ’14 Gibson Anne McCarty ’91, ’97 Pamela McKoin ’77 Phyllis Spalding Wesley Spencer ’77 Theresa Staley ’72, ’84

Proud supporter of the

Oynx and Ruby Gala

next lives here

Greetings Bearcats and Friends, I am honored to serve another year as chair of the UC African American Alumni Affiliate (4A), and to welcome you to our 2022 Onyx & Ruby Gala! This annual event honors the academic, professional and civic achievements of the University of Cincinnati’s Black alumni, students, faculty and staff. Beyond the achievements and contributions of our Black UC family, tonight we also want to have fun as we continue to focus on the values which we all strive to live by — discipline, compassion, and we are Black History!!

This evening we come together and celebrate our Blackness during Black History Month as we recognize our amazing excellence, provide opportunities for students through scholarship, supported by our alma mater. Throughout UC’s history, African American alumni have always made social advancements, fought for justice, educational contributions, and the impact is evident to this day by all the continued changes at UC. We have been trailblazers who sparked ideas, set trends and made sacrifices as undergrad and alumni. We have paved the way for future generations of Bearcats — regardless of their ethnicity — to discover and achieve. I hope after this evening, you will be motivated and empowered to invest both financially and time to our students at the University of Cincinnati and the African American community at large.

Thank you so much for attending the Onyx & Ruby Gala in person. As you all know, this event is very important to our students, which is how we assist them to study abroad. It is our responsibility to ensure UC is aware of our students’ needs, and an inclusive place for all alumni. I challenge you to encourage your classmates and friends to get involved utilizing all platforms as we continue to advance 4A and our university. We hope you discover many other opportunities to stay engaged going forward.

Enjoy this special night of encouragement and celebrating one another, and GO BEARCATS! Eku Williams, Bus ‘00 Chair, UC African American Alumni Affiliate

Program

Emceed by Naimah Bilal, Urban Consulate University Welcome

Neville G. Pinto, PhD President, University of Cincinnati

Tower of Strength Award

LaVerne Summerlin

Invocation Dinner Maurice Stewart, A&S ’16 Akua Wilson, CECH ’22 Rep. Reginald Bolding, Jr., CECH ’08

Emerging Leader Award Student Trailblazer Award Pillar of the Community Award

Call to Action

Adrienne McDade Taylor, Bus, CCM ’13 Shani Study Abroad Scholarship Linda Bates Parker Legend Award Georgia E. Beasley Legacy Award

N. John Bey, A&S ’04 Stephanie A. Smith, DAAP ’87

Acknowledgments Eku Williams, Bus ’00 Chair, UC African American Alumni Affiliate

Alma Mater After Party Music provided by DJ Pillo

LaVerne Summerlin Tower of Strength Award LaVerne Summerlin has been a faculty member at the University of Cincinnati since 1970, teaching English and language arts in the College of Arts and Sciences, University College, and the Center for Access and Transition. In her career, she often broke both gender and racial barriers with grace, dignity and consummate professionalism, even moving one colleague to call her “UC’s Rosa Parks.” She is the recipient of over 20 educational and teaching awards, including the prestigious Dolly Cohen Award of Teaching Excellence and the National ACT Continuing Education Award for Oral Communications for the World-of-Work.

Role models like Maya Angelou and an early appreciation for rigorous discipline in focus and habit have energized Summerlin’s work through her career, whether she was designing the Emerging Ethnic Engineers program three decades ago or co-directing the Urban Initiatives Language Education Program that introduced Cincinnati K-12 teachers to African American and Appalachian writers.

Summerlin understands how the university’s work is forever intertwined with efforts to enhance our community. She has been a tireless volunteer with many civic organizations here in her hometown, including The Great Rivers Girl Scout Council, The Links Incorporated’s Reading and Writing Program for Inner City Youth, and the Adult Basic Education Advisory Committee for Cincinnati Public Schools. She is also the author of “Gems of Cincinnati’s West End: Black Children and Catholic Missionaries, 1940 to 1970,” which is a narrative describing the church’s impact on 100 alumni and parents who were educated in those inner-city Catholic schools.

Professor Summerlin earned her Bachelor of Arts in English as the first Black female student at Edgecliff College, which was then a private Catholic women’s college, as well as a Master of Education in English from Xavier University. Her work in the community extends to many civic organizations, including the Great Rivers Girl Scout Council; the Links, Inc. Reading and Writing Program for Inner City Youth; and the Adult Basic Education Advisory Committee for Cincinnati Public Schools.

Maurice Stewart, A&S ’16 Emerging Leader Award After earning his Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership, Cincinnati native Maurice Stewart has spent the past eight years advocating for underserved communities. He has worked with the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative and Lighthouse Youth and Family Services mentoring young people. He has also worked with the community highlighting Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and community resilience.

Maurice is currently the Program Director at UpSpring, a local nonprofit serving the educational and enrichment needs of children experiencing homelessness, where he relaunched the mentoring program UpSpring Buddies. Previously he worked at Interact for Health as the Conference and Education Manager, assisting the capacity-building efforts of local nonprofits. He has also served as Evening Operations Manager for Crowne Plaza Hotels.

Maurice received the 2019 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award for the College of Arts and Sciences, which annually recognizes young alumni who have made significant accomplishments within their chosen field. He sat on the A&S Alumni Activity Board which serves the A&S Alumni Network in the development and planning of meaningful, diverse programming for A&S alumni.

Maurice serves on the Human Services Advisory Committee for the City of Cincinnati and serves on the Board of Directors for the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative and Recovery Center of Hamilton County. Previously he was a board member of Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy. Besides his UC degree, Maurice has a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership with graduate certificates in Human Resource Management and Nonprofit Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University.

Akua Wilson, CECH ’22 Student Trailblazer Award Akua Wilson is a graduating senior, double majoring in Criminal Justice and Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies. She is from the City of Brotherly Love & Sisterly Affection, Philadelphia, where she lives with her parents and is the younger sister to four older brothers. Akua is currently on the path to entering law school next fall and focusing on civil rights and advocacy law.

When Akua started at UC in 2018, she immediately began to brainstorm ideas to make the university culture more comfortable for students like herself. Coming in through the Transitions program through the African American Cultural and Resource Center, she learned that her role as a Black leader on campus was integral to the growth and excellence of UC’s Black community. After taking on leadership roles within Student Government, UC’s Transitions and Access Program, and the LGBTQ+ center, Akua decided to run for Miss Kuamka 2020. After winning the title, she dedicated her reign to building and promoting her research and organization titled “Dissolving Division.” Through working with many organizations on campus and in the community and highlighting UC’s Center for Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation, Akua developed the company, an annual conference and an intensive training course for Dissolving Division. Akua has worked with both UC faculty and staff, where she trains them on how to use radical empathy within their teaching and leadership. She is also a member of the Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, President of CECH Tribunal, University Honors Program Scholar, and has been a BASE mentor with the AACRC for the past three years.

Akua ran for Student Body Vice President in 2019 and President in 2020 as UC’s first Black, gay, woman candidate. Among her academic accomplishments, she has had opportunities to serve with state representatives in her hometown, the Pennsylvania Attorney General, and other influential entities focusing on social justice. As much resistance as Akua has gotten, she leans on her passion and drives to truly make change within her communities. As she completes her last semester and prepares for her journey through law school, she keeps kindness and radical empathy in her heart.

Rep. Reginald Bolding, Jr., CECH ’08 Pillar of the Community Award Inspired by the example of his hard-working mother, Reginald Bolding defied the odds to become a first-generation college graduate, teacher, civic engagement champion, and now the House Democratic Leader in the Arizona House of Representatives.

Reginald has dedicated his time in the state legislature to building diverse, non-partisan and bipartisan coalitions to fight for Arizona residents who are too often overlooked. Bolding led the advocacy charge and fought against egregious voter suppression legislation. He’s also spearheaded efforts to help police better serve and protect all Arizonans while being held accountable.

A chance encounter with future President Barack Obama inspired Reginald to get involved in politics and service, becoming an organizer during the Obama campaign. Through Teach For America, he took a job teaching special education math in the South Phoenix area, one of Arizona’s most underserved neighborhoods. He understands firsthand the obstacles faced by youth and families in these communities.

In addition to serving as the House Democratic Leader, Reginald is the founder of the largest Black-led voting rights and community engagement organizations in the state. They are responsible for registering over 50,000 qualified people to vote, providing opportunities for thousands of young people to engage in politics, and helping deliver real changes for hardworking Arizonans and their families.

Reginald graduated from the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services with a degree in Criminal Justice and International Affairs.

While at UC, he was a member of the men’s track and field team and served as Senior Class Secretary. He is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. in Arizona. He and his wife Cymone are the proud parents of two little girls, are expecting their third child in February 2022.

N. John Bey, Esq., A&S ’04 Linda Bates Parker Legend Award N. John Bey is the founder and owner of Bey & Associates, LLC; a practice focused exclusively on personal injury and wrongful death litigation. He provides representation to clients throughout the country with offices in Cincinnati, Ohio, Atlanta, and Macon, Georgia. Mr. Bey believes a commitment to justice and integrity are at the heart of successful representation. Every single client receives personal attention and that commitment. Mr. Bey has obtained several significant victories for his clients.

John and Bey & Associates, LLC believe in a community-first approach to practicing law.

As such, they routinely take on pro bono cases to help those in need in the community.

They are consistent volunteers at local food banks, mentoring local youth and holding seminars to educate the community on their legal rights. Bey & Associates sponsor college scholarships to students heading to college as part of their commitment to providing opportunities to deserving young people. Bey & Associates also donate scholarships to students through the Gate City Bar Association and the American Association for Justice Minority Caucus.

Mr. Bey is currently the parliamentarian for the American Association for Justice, vice president for the Gate City Bar Association, and an executive board member for the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association and Southern Trial Lawyers, respectively. Mr. Bey has been inducted into the Summit Council, an exclusive invitation-only group of today’s top civil justice attorneys. The esteemed attorneys in the Summit Council are committed to the highest levels of trial advocacy, obtaining justice for individuals and families who have been hurt by corporate wrongdoing, and protecting the civil justice system.

Members are nationally recognized by their peers as top civil justice advocates.

In 2015, N. John Bey was named a Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers Magazine and received this distinction every year following. Mr. Bey has been named amongst The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Top 40 Under 40, Diversity MBA Magazine’s Top 100 under 50, and inducted into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Recently, he was named one of Georgia’s Best Lawyers in 2021. Mr. Bey has the distinction of holding one of the top 10 verdicts in both the areas of negligent security verdicts and wrongful death in the U.S in 2019. He is a faculty member of the American Association for Justice’s National College of Advocacy. He also graduated from the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College and the American Association for Justice’s Ultimate Trial Course at Harvard University’s Law School Mr. Bey received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati’s College of Arts and Science and his Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law. He and his wife are active in the Atlanta and Cincinnati community and find much joy in their most important roles, raising their son and two daughters.

Stephanie A. Smith, DAAP ’87 Georgia E. Beasley Legacy Award

Stephanie A. Smith is Senior Vice President and Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer with Fifth Third Bancorp. She is responsible for creating and executing a holistic internal and external strategy that supports employees and partners with diverse suppliers. Her oversight includes the bank’s eight enterprise and 70 regional business resource groups, 14 regional inclusion councils, Project Search, supplier diversity, and all other enterprise inclusion and diversity programs, strategic initiatives and efforts related to environmental, social and governance reporting.

In her previous role as Director of Supplier Diversity, Stephanie oversaw a more than 900% increase in Fifth Third’s spending with diverse suppliers.

Over more than 20 years, she has also worked in the bank’s Community and Economic Development and Commercial divisions, as well as in the Foundation Office.

In 2019, Stephanie was recognized as one of Savoy magazine’s Most Influential Women in Corporate America. In 2020, she was recognized by the National Diversity Council as one of the Top 50 Chief Diversity Officers, and Career Mastered magazine recognized her with the 2020 Career Mastered Diversity Leadership Award. In 2021, she was recognized as a YWCA Career Woman of Achievement. Under her leadership, Fifth Third has been named one of America’s top corporations for women-owned companies by the Women’s Business Enterprise Council and made Minority Business Network magazine’s Best of the Decade list.

Stephanie earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from Wright State University before earning her master’s in urban planning at UC. She is a passionate community advocate and serves on boards for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Social Venture Partners, and the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

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Family and Friends of

Professor LaVerne Summerlin We are so proud of you and congratulate you on this honor. Your many years of service to the University of Cincinnati, the dedication you show year after year to your students and the tireless devotion to your family and friends, make you a true demonstration of a Tower of Strength.

TWISTY TURNS TIPS

Congratulations to the Onyx & Ruby Honorees and the Shani Scholars

BLACK FACULTY ASSOCIATION Wedding Weekend

Stylist Michelle Anderson will teach you how to make amazing braids!

THE BROTHERS OF

ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE

BRO. N. JOHN BEY RECIPIENT OF THE LINDA BATES PARKER LEGEND AWARD MAY GOD CONTINUE TO LIGHT YOUR PATH

CONGRATULATIONS TO MAURICE STEWART! We are so proud of UpSpring Program Director Maurice Stewart for receiving the Onyx & Ruby Emerging Leader Award.

Congratulations to all awardees!

UpSpring’s mission is to empower children experiencing homelessness in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky by providing opportunities through education and enrichment.

PLEASE J O I N US

for drinks, dinner, silent and live auctions, raffle, and more!

SATURDAY APRIL 30 at Great American Ball Park.

upspring.org/benefitbash

BEYOND COUNTING PEOPLE, TO MAKING PEOPLE COUNT. Diversity, equity and inclusion are crucial to business problem solving, activating all teams to achieve their full potential.

The University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner College of Business congratulates tonight’s honorees and invites all to join us in creating a community for all students, faculty and staff to be and grow into their best, authentic selves.

Thanks to PNC Bank, Executive Partner of the Lindner Office of Inclusive Excellence, for their direct impact on the future of inclusive excellence at Lindner and beyond.

CONNECT WITH US business.uc.edu @LindnerCollege

Congratulates the 2022 Onyx and Ruby Gala Award Recipients.

You are PROUDLY BEARCATS!

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Congratulations to

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