By Tamara Lang
VP External Relations
Urban League of Southwestern Ohio
The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio (ULGSO) announces its 30th class of the Legendary Lions Society, celebrating six passionate and distinguished leaders who have made a lasting impact on the Greater Cincinnati community through their selfless dedication, commitment and service to others.
“This year’s Lions are phenomenal,” said Christie Kuhns, president/CEO of the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio. “They represent the absolute best of our community from various industries and backgrounds, and they have all contributed to our region – and in some cases the world – in different and impactful ways. We are so excited to celebrate these amazing individuals.”
The 2024 Lions Honorees are:
Karen Bankston, Ph.D., MSN, RN, professor emerita, UC College of Nursing;
Calvin D. Buford, partner, Dinsmore & Shohl LLP (retired);
Michael Fisher, President/CEO, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (retired);
Delores Hargrove-Young, vice chairwoman, d.e. Foxx & Associates Inc.;
J. Phillip Holloman, president/COO, Cintas Corporation (retired); and
John E. Pepper, chairman/CEO, Procter & Gamble Co. (retired).
The Lions will be honored at the 30th annual Glorifying the Lions luncheon ceremony at 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Wednesday April 10, at the Cintas Center. Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.ulgso.org/lions.
In addition to the luncheon, WLWT Channel 5 will air the 2024 Glorifying the Lions broadcast on Saturday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m., to further showcase and celebrate these outstanding individuals. The broadcast also will also be available on the ULGSO YouTube channel, 3458 Reading Road Cincinnati, 45229 www.ulgso.org
More about the 2024 Lions:
Karen Bankston, Ph.D., MSN, RN, is professor emerita, a leadership consultant, 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. She is known for collaborating and engaging others for the benefit of changing culture, organizations and communities to meet individual and group needs.
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. He 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. A native of Cincinnati and graduate of Harvard Law School, he became the first African American to be elected partner of a major Cincinnati law firm.
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 Hospital, he 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, he 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.
Delores Hargrove-Young is vice chairwoman of d.e. Foxx & Associates Inc. where she serves as a key strategic leader, ambassador and adviser. Prior to stepping into this role, she was president/COO 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 14 states. She 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. He spent 22 years with the Cintas Corporation in a variety of progressive roles culminating in his position as president/COO. He and his wife, Gail, established the Seven Principles Foundation to provide grants to nonprofits specializing in childhood development, adult job-readiness training and social equity. In 2020, the Hollomans 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.
John E. Pepper spent a 40-year career in various positions at Procter & Gamble, including CEO/chairman from 1995 to 1999 and chairman of the board from 2000 to 2002. He serves as director emeritus of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center board and was CEO from January 2006 – May 2007. He served as board chairman of the Walt Disney Company from January 2007 through March 2012 having been a board member since January 2006. He also served as Yale University finance and administration vice president from January 2004 to December 2005. He is a former member of the Cincinnati Preschool Program board of trustees, was a founding supporter of Every Child Succeeds (which provides home visitation to at-risk 0 to 3-year-olds) and a co-founder of the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative of which he is an honorary member.
The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio is committed to empowering communities and changing lives through programs focused on financial empowerment, workforce development, entrepreneurship advancement and leadership engagement.