Legends and Legacies

Join The King Arts Complex as we honor Ohio State’s Executive Vice President and Provost Melissa Gilliam, MD, Senior Vice President for the Office of Student Life Melissa Shivers, PhD, and Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletic Director Gene Smith at the 15^th Annual Legends and Legacies.  The Award Ceremony and Reception will be held on Thursday, October 6, 2022 at the Lincoln Theatre. 

The King Arts Complex celebrated the 14th annual Legends and Legacies award recipients on Thursday, October 7, 2021 . The honorees were Ann and Ron Pizzuti.

The King Arts Complex celebrated the 13th annual Legends and Legacies award recipients on Thursday, October 17, 2019 . The honorees were Curtis J. Moody, Sr. and Lewis R. Smoot, Sr.

The King Arts Complex celebrated the 12th annual Legends and Legacies award recipients on Thursday, October 4, 2018 . The honorees were the Honorable R. Guy Cole, Jr., Honorable Algenon L. Marbley and Alex Shumate, Esquire.

Congresswoman Beatty currently represents the 3rd District of Ohio in the U.S. House of Representatives. She previously served five terms in the Ohio House of Representatives, where she became the first female Democratic House Leader in Ohio’s history. Attorney Otto Beatty, Jr. served for eighteen years in the Ohio General Assembly and is the former president of the Franklin County Trial Lawyers Association. He is a tireless advocate for children, families, and consumers.

Dr. Drake was appointed the 15th President of The Ohio State University in 2014. An experienced leader, Dr. Drake has shared a compelling vision for the university to continue its ascent in the national rankings while focusing on greater access, affordability and inclusive excellence. A physician by training, Dr. Drake has provided exceptional leadership to the university community, and to higher education nationally.

After a career as a lawyer and as a director or trustee of organizations focused on education, international health, finance, civil rights and the arts, Mrs. Drake now serves Ohio State through advocacy and engagement on campus, in Columbus and throughout the country.

Together, the Drakes are talented, dynamic leaders whose dedication to Ohio State and the community will have an enormous impact for years to come.

It is indisputable that Mayor Michael B. Coleman’s achievement in his 16 years’ tenure has benefited most of community members in Columbus: projects in downtown area have revitalized King Lincoln District, Near East Side and Franklinton; and recent community development of American Addition area increases the number of beneficiaries in Columbus.

As Columbus Museum of Art CEO Nanette Maciejunes referred in the Award Ceremony, “Showing up is the best support.” Mayor B. Coleman has been active in almost every community events, from museum receptions, tie tying ceremony to small business conference and Columbus Marathon. His efforts have left us a healthier community environment encouraging everyone to participate in making Columbus a better home for future generations.

This year’s honoree will be Wil Haygood – Author, Reporter, and Biographer.

This year’s honoree will be Denny Griffith – Artist and Educator.

The King Arts Complex will celebrate the 6th Annual Legends & Legacies Awards, "Living Legends of the Skies: The Tuskegee Airmen". This year's honorees will be eight Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen from Ohio. These individuals are the heroes and pioneers of equality that triumphed over adversity and rose above obstacles. We are proud to honor their bravery and accomplishments!

• Thomas Austin
• Harold Brown
• Hilton Carter, Jr.
• Donald E. Elder
• Charles Feaster
• Robert L. Harvey, Sr.
• John Leahr
• Paul Menefield
• Charles I. Williams

• Loann Crane
• Robert Duncan
• Lynn Greer
• Archie Griffin
• Donald Harris
• Is Said
• Larry James
• Kojo Kamau
• Cathe Kobacker
• Doug Kridler
• Wayne Lawson
• Robert Lazarus
• Amos Lynch
• Mary McClendon
• William and Florence Richardson
• Aminah Robinson
• Cliff Tyree
• Gene Walker
• Terri Springer Walker
• Ric Wanetik
• Tony and Aziza West
• Jeanette Williams
• John B. Williams
• Catherine Willis

• Maya Angelou – Writer, Poet, Educator, Actress, and Civil Rights Activist
• Halroy “Hal” Williams – Actor
• Bernard Terry – Athlete, Artist, and Actor

• Samella Sanders Lewis – Artist, Educator, Art Historian, and Writer
• Lerone Bennett, Jr. – Author and Historian
• Johnnetta B. Cole – Cultural Anthropologist

• Danny Glover – Actor, Director, and Producer
• James Counts Early – Equal Rights Advocate
• Harry Belafonte – Musician and Actor

• Ruby Dee – Actress
• Mari Evans – Writer and Poet
• Nikki Giovanni – Writer and Poet
• Odetta – “Queen of American Folk Music”
• Sonia Sanchez – Writer and Poet
• Val Gray Ward – Theatre Personality and Activist