Cincinnatus Spencer Awards Nomination Form

Named after Cincinnati’s “First Couple of Civil Rights,” the Spencer Awards celebrate the couple’s achievements and honors nonprofits and businesses who exhibit conspicuous and enduring contributions to promoting greater inclusion and diversity in the community. Mr. Spencer died in 2010, before the inception of the awards. Ms. Spencer participated in the dinner each year until her death in 2019.

Marian Spencer was known for fighting to integrate Coney Island amusement park so her children could swim in the pool. She also was the first African American president of the Woman’s City Club of Cincinnati and the first African American member of Cincinnati City Council. Donald Spencer was the first African American on the Cincinnati Park Board, the first African American broker on the Cincinnati Board of Realtors and the first African American trustee at Ohio University.

When reading the nominations, we receive each year for the Spencer Awards, the outstanding work being done by so many organizations in our community to improve the lives of our citizens is an inspiration to us all. Cincinnatus has this unique opportunity to recognize and share the efforts of our honorees to help those in need achieve their ‘Cincinnati Dream’ through their services, education, and inclusion of all citizens.

Awards Criteria

The accomplishments of our award recipients mirror the mission of the Cincinnatus Association – to improve the quality of life for citizens in the Greater Cincinnati region. Award recipients have: 1) intentionally shown a commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, justice, and basic human rights; and 2) delivered “conspicuous and enduring” contributions that have created greater inclusion and diversity in our community and/or impacted equity, justice, and human rights issues, thus improving the quality of life for citizens.

Please complete and submit any nominations by December 31, 2025.

Nomination for Award*

Non-Profit OrganizationFor-Profit Organization

Full Name of Nominator*

First NameLast Name

Email Address of Nominator*

example@example.com

Cell Number of Nominator*

Area CodePhone Number

Full Name of Nominee

Contact Name for Nominee*

First NameLast Name

Email Address of Nominee Contact*

example@example.com

Telephone Number of Nominee Contact*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Website of Nominee

Address of Nominee

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Description of the Organization (Mission, Scope, Partnerships and Delivery of Services):*

Supportive qualities and quantitative documentation of why the organization meets the Criteria for the Award (see above for criteria statement). You may include the information here or upload it below.

Can be articles, websites or an explanation

Feel free to upload supportive qualities and quantitative documentation:

Testimonials from clients or partners (optional). You may enter information here or upload any testimonials below.

Feel free to upload any testimonials from clients or partners:

Please tell us anything else about this nominee that might assist us in better understanding why this nominee should be a Spencer Award recipient: