GLORIFYING THE LIONS

Nominations Now Open for 2025 Glorifying the Lions

Since 1994, the Urban League’s Legendary Lions Society has recognized and celebrated outstanding individuals who have made a lasting impact in our community through their selfless dedication, commitment, and service to others. The title of this award is derived from an old proverb of the Ibo people of Nigeria. “Until lions have their own historians, tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” The message is that no telling of history is complete until both sides are told.  

Award Criteria

Distinguished leaders age 65+ who have positively contributed to the Greater Southwestern Ohio community in impactful and lasting ways. A list of previous honorees is below.

Honorees will be recognized at the 31^st Annual Glorifying the Lions Luncheon on Wednesday April 9, 2025; 11:30 am -1:30 pm at the Cintas Center and during the annual Glorifying the Lions TV Special broadcast by WLWT Channel 5.

Nomination deadline: November 15

ABOUT THE AWARD

The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio (ULGSO) annually honors passionate and distinguished leaders who have made a lasting impact on the Greater Cincinnati community through their selfless dedication, commitment, and service to others.

The title of this award is derived from an old proverb of the Igbo people of Nigeria.

“Until lions have their own historians, tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”

No telling of history is complete until both sides are told.

Thank you to everyone who joined us as we honored six distinguished leaders who significantly impacted Southwestern Ohio through their words, actions, and deeds.

MORE ABOUT THE 2024 LIONS

Karen Bankston, PhD, MSN, RN is Professor Emerita, a leadership consultant, a retired hospital executive and former Associate Dean for Clinical Practice, Partnership and Community Engagement of the College of Nursing at the University of Cincinnati. A Fellow in the American College of Health Care Executives, she is the president and CEO of KDB and Associates Consulting Service. Dr. Bankston is known for collaborating and engaging others for the benefit of changing culture, organizations, and communities to meet individual and group needs. Her lifelong devotion to her profession; and her tremendous commitment and continuous action toward greater equity, inclusion, and the enrichment of opportunities for all is readily seen in everything she does. Everywhere she’s been, she has become revered for improving organizational culture and inclusivity while serving as a caring mentor. 

Calvin D. Buford recently retired as a partner in the law firm Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, where he remains Of Counsel with the firm. His legal practice encompassed general corporate and business law, with particular emphasis on transactional matters. Mr. Buford represented clients ranging from start-ups and small entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 companies, overseeing numerous mergers, acquisitions and dispositions of businesses, debt and equity financing, joint ventures, and other transactions. Mr. Buford’s civic and community affiliations are many. A native of Cincinnati and graduate of Harvard Law School, Mr. Buford became the first African American to be elected partner of a major Cincinnati law firm. His wise counsel and legal brilliance has earned him several awards and recognitions over the years as well as the admiration and appreciation of hundreds of corporate and community leaders. 

Michael Fisher is a transformational community and corporate leader who has helmed several of the region’s most important institutions including Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. As President and CEO of Cincinnati Children’s, Mr. Fisher expanded and grew the medical center culminating in a $600 million critical care building in 2021, Children’s largest project in 138 years, and the largest private development in Cincinnati history. The Michael Fisher Child Health Equity Center was established in 2022 to address social, environmental and health care factors around child health to allow all children to thrive. Prior to joining Children’s, Mr. Fisher served as President & CEO of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber where he led the launch of two enduring economic growth initiatives: The Minority Business Accelerator (MBA) and Cincy Tech. He continues to lend his business expertise to several organizations while continuing his service to the community through various civic roles including the Portman Center for Policy Solutions, the Minority Business Accelerator and the Cincinnati Futures Commission. 

Delores Hargrove-Young is Vice Chairwoman of d.e. Foxx & Associates, Inc. where she serves as a key strategic leader, ambassador, and advisor. Prior to stepping into this role, Ms. Hargrove-Young was President and Chief Operating Officer of XLC Services, a single-source provider of manufacturing services, warehouse management solutions, and distribution services. She was one of XLC’s principal founders, responsible for business operations in fourteen states. Ms. Hargrove-Young is committed to inspiring and developing young female leaders, increasing supplier diversity, and improving the economic stability of Cincinnati as evidenced by her involvement and leadership in numerous community organizations. Currently she serves on several national and local nonprofit boards and was recently honored as a 2024 Great Living Cincinnatian. 

J. Phillip Holloman is a distinguished and accomplished business leader known for his focused and success-oriented determination. Mr. Holloman spent 22 years with the Cintas Corporation in a variety of progressive roles culminating in his position as President & Chief Operating Officer. A dedicated community leader, Mr. Holloman lends his business expertise and wise counsel to several public and private nonprofit boards and organizations. Mr. Holloman and his wife Gail established the 7 Principles Foundation to provide grants to nonprofits specializing in childhood development, adult job-readiness training and social equity. In 2020, the Holloman’s gave a transformational gift of $1 million to establish the Holloman Center for Social Justice at the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio to engage in policy advocacy work and community education to advance racial equity in the region. In 2023 the Holloman’s were named Philanthropists of the Year by the Cincinnati Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals in recognition of their generous giving and commitment to the community. 

John E. Pepper spent a 40-year career in various positions at Procter & Gamble, including Chief Executive Officer and Chairman from 1995 – 1999 and Chairman of the Board from 2000 – 2002. Mr. Pepper currently serves as Director Emeritus of the Board of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and was CEO from January 2006 – May 2007. Mr. Pepper served as Chairman of the Board of the Walt Disney Company from January 2007 through March 2012 and had served as a member of its board since January 2006. He also served as Vice President of Finance and Administration at Yale University from January 2004 to December 2005. Mr. Pepper has devoted important effort over the past 30 years to Early Childhood and Youth Development. He is a former member of the Cincinnati Preschool Program Board of Trustees. He was a founding supporter of Every Child Succeeds (which provides home visitation to at-risk 0–3-year-olds) and was a co-founder and current honorary member of the board of the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, one of the nation’s most successful mentoring and tutoring organizations.