Thank You for Attending the 10th Onyx & Ruby Gala!
The African American Alumni Affiliate (4A) board was thrilled to welcome you to our Feb. 17 Onyx & Ruby Gala. It was an honor to celebrate the achievements of our six outstanding honorees, and together we surpassed our evening’s fundraising goals in support of the Shani Scholarship which supports students pursuing study abroad and international co-op opportunities.
Check back soon for information on the 11th Onyx & Ruby Gala which will take place in early 2025.
Photos of the festive celebration were captured by UC alumnus Kevin J. Watkins, CECH '07.
Thanks to our 2024 Sponsors
Premier Sponsor
UC Office of Enrollment Management
Red & Black Sponsors
Jerome Jackson ’89
UC African American Cultural and Resource Center
UC Black Faculty Association
UC College of Arts & Sciences
UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, & Health Education
UC College of Law
UC Darwin T. Turner Scholars Program
UC Department of Public Safety
UC Foundation
UC Lindner College of Business
UC Office of Equity, Inclusion and Community Impact
Fountain of Eternal Youth Sponsors
All-In Cincinnati
Cheryl Stallworth-Lett ’88
Jerry Fritz ’73
Jennifer Heisey '97
2024 Honorees
Cathy Bernardino Bailey
A&S '91
Georgia E. Beasley Legacy Award
Recognizing the contributions of alumni 30 or more years removed from graduation who have made sacrifices, shared their experience and expertise, and enhanced the quality of life at UC and in the community.
Cathy Bernardino Bailey is the first woman and African American to lead Greater Cincinnati Water Works, which provides drinking water and stormwater services to over 1.1 million customers. She is the leader behind Cincinnati’s nationally recognized lead service line replacement program. Highly respected in the water industry, Bailey is known for her expertise in strategic planning, employee engagement, workforce diversity, and continuous improvement. She is a board member for several water industry organizations, a 2023 National Academy of Public Administration Fellow, and is active in her local community.
The Honorable Mark Mallory
A&S ’93
Linda Bates Parker Legend Award
Recognizing alumni for their professional accomplishments and active development of those around them.
The Honorable Mark Mallory, the first directly-elected Black mayor of Cincinnati, served two terms from 2005 to 2013. He prioritized public safety, revitalized downtown and Over-the-Rhine, cut property taxes, led the development of the Cincinnati Streetcar, and invested in Cincinnati’s neighborhoods. Mallory’s efforts helped to attract and retain over 24,000 jobs, and he established the “Young Professionals’ Kitchen Cabinet” to better attract youth to the city. As a result, Cincinnati’s population grew for the first time in 50 years
Tamika Vinson-Reid
A&S ’99
Pillar of the Community Award
Recognizing alumni who support their communities by sharing their time, talents and treasure.
Tamika Vinson-Reid is the Marketing and Development Director at HelpLine, a community mobilizer and consensus builder in North Central Ohio. In leading a coordinated effort to connect people with resources and support, she is extensively involved in her community, including serving on the boards of Project DREAMS, the Delaware Morrow Mental Health Recovery Services Board, Andrews House, and Concerned Citizens Against Homelessness. Vinson-Reid is a graduate of Leadership Columbus and Delaware and a former United Way of Delaware County Ambassador.
Dana Harley, PhD, MSW, LISW-S
CAHS ’03
Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins Tower of Strength Award
Recognizing a UC faculty or staff member for shaping students’ personal and professional development.
Dr. Dana Harley is a highly respected teacher, mentor, role model, and social justice advocate who has made significant contributions to the UC School of Social Work. She is the first tenure-track Black woman faculty member under the new research, promotion, and tenure (RPT) guidelines to earn the academic rank of Full Professor. She has received numerous awards for her teaching and research, and she is passionate about providing financial support and training to graduate-level behavioral health clinicians. Dr. Harley is a licensed independent social worker with over a decade of clinical experience.
Angelica M. Hardee, PhD
CECH ’13, ’14, ’17
Emerging Leader Award
Recognizing alumni from within the last decade who are rapidly becoming new leaders, with significant talents and contributions that actively enhance their communities and fields of endeavor.
Dr. Angelica Hardee has a passion for improving the health of her community. She is Vice President of Community Impact with the American Heart Association where she leads initiatives to combat hypertension, e-cigarette use, and lack of access to healthy food. Dr. Hardee is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at UC and Tulane University. Committed to addressing health-related social needs and a champion of higher education, she serves on the governing boards of several organizations, mentors students and young adults, and has been recognized with numerous awards for her leadership and advocacy.
Corin Manning
CECH ’24
Student Trailblazer Award
Recognizing current UC students who embody leadership qualities, are extremely involved in the campus community, inspire their fellow students, and blaze the trail for ongoing progress.
Corin Manning is a graduating senior with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and a Master of Business Administration from the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services and Information Technology. She is a Darwin T. Turner Scholar, Cincinnatus Century Scholar, and a recipient of the Nabila Hassan Honorary Scholarship. Manning is a member of several organizations, including IT Proud, CECH Ambassadors, and the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. She has also been co-president of Women in Technology and a mentor for Bearcat Coders.
View past Onyx & Ruby Honorees
Maurice Stewart, A&S '16
Director, Alumni Engagement, Inclusive Excellence