March 29, 2025, was a night to remember! Hosted by ABC, this special evening brought together friends, family, educators, community leaders, and long-time supporters to celebrate an incredible legacy. The lasting legacy of Dean Richard “Dick” Friedman is one whose commitment to service and equity has shaped lives across Cincinnati.
Held at the Kenwood Country Club in honor of Dick’s past 16 years of service as Board President of ABC, the evening was filled with heartfelt speeches, powerful tributes, and stories that reminded us why this work is so important for the Cincinnati community. It was more than just a celebration of leadership, it was the launch of something lasting: The Dean Richard E. and Dr. Gail H. Friedman Fund, a fund dedicated to ensuring every Cincinnati Public School student has access to life-changing opportunities.
From the first toast to the final round of applause, the atmosphere was filled with gratitude, respect, and momentum. Guests enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and uplifting conversations as they reflected on the impact Dick has made not only as a leader of ABC but as a tireless advocate for education, youth, and community.
Speakers Sally Grimes, Executive Director of ABC, Charley Frank, ABC Board President, and Chris Dalambakis, Manager at Steelcase and friend of Dick, shared stories about Dick’s dedication and influence from boardrooms to classrooms and from nonprofits to neighborhood initiatives. One message rang loud and clear: Dick Friedman is a man who turns vision into action and values into impact.
“Nonprofit organizations are only as strong as their leadership,” said Sally Grimes, Executive Director of ABC. “With Dick Friedman at the helm of Activities Beyond the Classroom for so many years, ABC has flourished, expanding its impact to the children of CPS while continually evaluating and improving internal processes. His steady and strong leadership is what made this growth possible.”
To know Dick is to know dedication. He spent over four decades at the University of Cincinnati, shaping generations as a professor, administrator, and mentor. As Dean of the McMicken College of Arts and Sciences, Assistant to the President, and an early architect of UC’s Sports Administration program, Dick didn’t just teach, he transformed.
His leadership footprint outside the university is equally profound. He served on the boards of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, the Art Academy, the American Heart Association, the Cincinnati Tennis Hall of Fame, and many more. He helped launch nonprofits, merge synagogues, and raise millions in support of causes he believed in.
And perhaps most memorably, alongside his late wife Dr. Gail H. Friedman, Dick shared a passion for equity, education, and service. Their legacy continues through this fund, a tribute to their unwavering belief in Cincinnati Public School youth.
We also extend heartfelt thanks to our event sponsors, community partners, the ABC team, and our main sponsors House of Joy, Kenwood Country Club, Chris and Judy Dalambakis, All Occasions, and Fitz the Occasion who made this evening possible. Every detail, every contribution, and every gesture of support moved this mission forward in a powerful way.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended this special evening and helped make it a true celebration of leadership and purpose.
To those who donated, sponsored, or spread the word, thank you for your belief in ABC’s mission and your support of the Friedman legacy. Your generosity ensures that Cincinnati Public School students will continue to access the kinds of opportunities that transform lives.
Thank you, Dick Friedman, for showing us what servant leadership looks like. And thank you to everyone for helping move this mission forward. This is what legacy in motion looks like, and you can donate to the Dean Richard E. and Dr. Gail H. Friedman Fund here.
Until next time, let’s keep building futures together!
