Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 15th Annual Legends & Legacies Awards Ceremony on Thursday, October 6, 2022.
The King Arts Complex honored 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 during the 15th annual Legends and Legacies Awards Ceremony and Reception on Thursday, October 6, 2022.
Honorary Co-Chairs
Linda and Michael Kaufmann
Host Committee Co-Chairs
Donica and Keith B. Key
Jennifer Massanova and Lewis Von Thaer
Achea and Michael Redd
Host Committee
Donna and Nick Akins
George Barrett*
Trudy Bartley
The Honorable Joyce Beatty*
Alicia and John Bloch
Jeri Block and Bobby Schottenstein*
Yvette McGee Brown and Tony Brown
Janelle and Michael B. Coleman
Tanny Crane and John Wolff
Christina and Ryan Day
Adrienne and Chad Delligatti
Brenda and Dr. Michael Drake*
Rex and Sam Elliott*
Joy and Michael Gonsiorowski
Jasmine and Reuben Green
Jole and Jim Harmon*
Francie and Jim Henry
Cindy and Larry Hilsheimer
Erin and Deron Hoeflinger
Lori and Chris Holtmann*
Donna and Larry James
Olivia Johnson
Linda and Frank Kass
Mary and Tom Katzenmeyer
Liza Kessler and Greg Henchel
Gale V. King
Jane and John B. McCoy
Mo and David Meuse*
Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, LLC
*Denotes extra gift
Elaine and Curt Moody
Eva and Dick Nourse
Sharon and Bruce Peterson
Ann and Ron Pizzuti*
Sandra Harbrecht Ratchford and Robin Ratchford
Renee and Alex Shumate
Danielle and George Skestos*
Matt, Nicole, Lindsey, and Summer Smith*
Sheila Smith*
Liz and John Sokol*
Joy and Bruce Soll
Susan and Alan Stockmeister
Lisa Wilkins Thomas and Dr. Andy Thomas
Arlene and Michael Weiss
Premiere Sponsor: 15th Annual Legends & Legacies Host Committee
Presenting Sponsor: The Ohio State University
Platinum Sponsor: American Electric Power Foundation
Diamond Sponsors: Child Development Council of Franklin County (CDCFC), Covelli Enterprises, Honda, Orange Barrel Media, Park National Bank, PNC Bank, Vorys Sater Seymour and Pease LLP
Gold Sponsors: Baker Hostettler, Cardinal Health, Columbus State Community College, Equitas Health, First Merchants Bank, Huntington National Bank, Kelley Companies, Nationwide Children's Hospital, NBC 4, Robert Weiler Company, State Auto Insurance, Smoot Construction, WBNS 10 TV
Media Sponsor: Columbus Business First
Event Sponsors: Battelle, Bob and Peggy Walter Foundation, Crabbe, Brown & James, Elford Construction, Homage, The Ohio State University Athletic Department
Proceeds from the event supported the many arts education programs offered by The King Arts Complex.
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 15th 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