The HCCUSA attends the 11th annual Donald and Marian Spencer Spirit of America Awards dinner hosted by The Cincinnatus Association

Cincinnati (May 22, 3023):  The 11th annual Donald and Marian Spencer Spirit of America Awards dinner, held on May 21, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati, celebrates the Spencers’ legacy by recognizing Greater Cincinnati organizations committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Cincinnatus Association annually recognizes organizations that prioritize serving diverse populations with equity and inclusion, including nonprofits and businesses. 

 

On Behalf of the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA and the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati Foundation  (HCCUSA Foundation),  we congratulate the four nonprofit organizations and one for-profit business that were honored at the 2026 ceremony: Cincinnati Metro, Mortar Cincinnati, Miami University Urban Cohort, Cincinnati Community Center Institute, and Costco.

 

We also extend our congratulations to Alice Schneider of The Cincinnatus Association, the new president of Cincinnatus since August 1, 2025. Additionally, we recognize Courtis Fuller, a distinguished retired anchor and reporter for WLWT-TV, and Susan Noonan for their extensive contributions to local broadcasting and civil rights advocacy. 

 

The Donald and Marian Spencer Spirit of America Awards are named after Cincinnati’s “First Couple of Civil Rights.” The Spencer Awards celebrate Marian and Donald Spencer’s achievements and honor non-profits and businesses that exhibit conspicuous and enduring contributions to promoting greater inclusion and belonging in the community. Mr. Spencer died in 2010, before the awards were established. Ms. Spencer participated in the dinner each year until she died in 2019.

 

The Cincinnatus Association advocates excellence in education, government, inclusion, and the arts in the Greater Cincinnati region. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for all citizens by initiating, recognizing, participating in, and promoting projects that address critical regional issues, engage community leaders, and shape nonpartisan public policy.

 

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Image courtesy of the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA. 

 

In the picture: Alfonso Cornejo (President), Pam Rincones (Executive Director), Francisco Okhuysen (Treasurer, Special Projects & Board Member), Michael Jackaman (Manager & Creative Director), Cecilia Magill Moreno (Assistant Manager), Tony Simms (Founder Member), and Violeta Simms of the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA. Luz Elena Schemmel (Executive Director), Bill Schemmel, and Lorena Mora-Mowry (Board Member) of the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati Foundation.