ABC Honored With Cincinnatus Association’s 2022 Spencer Award for Promoting Diversity and Inclusion

ABC's Rachel Stallings (Deputy Director), Sally Grimes (Executive Director), and Sophia Scott (Director of Operations) accept the Donald and Marian Spencer Award on May 10, 2022

On May 10, 2022, the Cincinnatus Association honored Activities Beyond the Classroom during their 7th Annual Donald and Marian Spencer Spirit of America awards dinner at the Hilton Netherland Plaza. ABC was one of six local businesses and non-profit organizations selected as a recipient of the Cincinnatus Association’s distinguished Spencer Award, honoring organizations that deliver conspicuous and enduring contributions that have created greater diversity and inclusion in our community.

Activities Beyond the Classroom was recognized for its equitable and inclusive programs throughout the community, as well as its recently adopted new organizational values. The core concept of these values is to exemplify IDEA: an acronym standing for inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility. 

“It is such a privilege to receive this award,” Executive Director Sally Grimes shared. “The staff here at ABC is dedicated to creating accessible and equitable opportunities for all kinds of families throughout our community. This award recognizes all that hard work, and is a great reminder of how much work there is yet to do.”

ABC Video Created for Spencer Award Banquet

In 2019, ABC had the honor of sharing the accomplishments of filmmaker Xander Wynn. At the time of the article, Xander was a student at Walnut Hills High School and had been a participant ABC’s partner program, Fourthwall Youth Studios, since the summer of 2014. Now a graduate of CPS and running his own film production company, ABC is honored to share a video Xander created for the Spencer Awards on behalf of ABC. 

Please click below to check out the video created by CPS and Fourthwall alum, Xander Wynn:

A Distinguished Cohort

Activities Beyond the Classroom is honored and humbled to have shared the honor of receiving this years award alongside the following distinguished partners, nonprofits, and community-minded thinkers:

  • Avondale Development Corporation was founded in 2011 for the purpose of improving the quality of lives of the residents of Avondale, the largest African American neighborhood of Cincinnati. ADC’s mission is to direct the revitalization of Avondale by developing housing, real estate, and economic initiatives while collaborating with residents and partners to address priorities that promote the well-being of Avondale residents. 
     
  • Clifton Cultural Arts Center is the only multi-disciplinary arts center in the racially and socioeconomically diverse Uptown neighborhoods of Corryville, Clifton, Avondale, Clifton Heights-University Heights-Fairview, and Mt. Auburn. CCAC’s mission is to build a community-created place where people of all ages, races, culture, and socioeconomic status connect with one another through art. CCAC’s average attendance is over 40,000.  
  • Lighthouse Youth Services empowers young people and families to succeed through a continuum of care that promotes healing and growth. Serving clients ages 0-24 and the families that surround them, Lighthouse is a “trauma-informed” agency that serves 4,000 diverse clients annually in their various programs. 
  • Santa Maria Community Services is a catalyst and advocate for Cincinnati’s Greater Price Hill families. Santa Maria focuses on promoting family and individual wellbeing. 
  • TriVersity Construction is a for-profit organization and is among the largest commercial construction companies in the tri-state region. TriVersity is known for their focus on the customer experience during the construction process, their investment in ongoing innovation, and their deep commitment to the communities in which they operate. They have an active commitment to various community service organizations by encouraging their employees to volunteer.