Overview:
The 30th class of the Legendary Lions Society, a group of distinguished leaders in the Greater Cincinnati community, was celebrated at the Urban League's annual luncheon. The honorees include Karen Bankston, Calvin D. Buford, Michael Fisher, Delores Hargrove-Young, J. Phillip Holloman, and John E. Pepper. These individuals have made significant contributions to their fields and the community, including advancing racial equity and promoting healthcare.
The Urban League of Gre ater Southwestern Ohio鈥檚 30th class of the Legendary Lions Society included six passionate and distinguished leaders who have made a lasting impact on the Greater Cincinnati community through their selfless dedication, commitment, and service to others, were celebrated at the League鈥檚 annual luncheon April 10 at the Cintas Center.
The 2024 Lions honorees are:
Karen Bankston, PhD, MSN, RN, Professor Emerita, UC College of Nursing
Calvin D. Buford, Of Counsel, Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
Michael Fisher, Former President & CEO, Cincinnati Children鈥檚 Hospital Medical Center
Delores Hargrove-Young, Vice Chairwoman, d.e. Foxx & Associates, Inc.
J. Phillip Holloman, Co-Founder, The Holloman Center for Social Justice
John E. Pepper, Former Chairman & CEO, The Procter & Gamble Company
鈥淭his year鈥檚 Lions are phenomenal,鈥 said Christie Kuhns, president/CEO of the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio. 鈥淭hey represent the absolute best of our community from various industries and backgrounds, and they have all contributed to our region 鈥 and in some cases the world 鈥 in different and impactful ways. We are so excited to celebrate these amazing individuals.鈥
More about the 2024 Lions:
Karen Bankston, Ph.D., MSN, RN, is a professor emerita, a leadership consultant, a retired hospital executive, and former associate dean for Clinical Practice, Partnership, and Community Engagement of the College of Nursing at the University of Cincinnati. A fellow in the American College of Health Care Executives, she is the president and CEO of KDB and Associates Consulting Service.
Calvin D. Buford recently retired as a partner in the law firm Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, where he remains of counsel with the firm. His legal practice encompassed general corporate and business law, particularly on transactional matters. He represented clients ranging from start-ups and small entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 companies, overseeing numerous mergers, acquisitions, and dispositions of businesses, debt and equity financing, joint ventures, and other transactions. A native of Cincinnati and graduate of Harvard Law School, he became the first African American to be elected partner of a major Cincinnati law firm.
Michael Fisher is a transformational community and corporate leader who has helmed several of the region鈥檚 most important institutions including Cincinnati Children鈥檚 Hospital Medical Center and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. As president and CEO of Cincinnati Children鈥檚 Hospital, he expanded and grew the medical center culminating in a $600 million critical care building in 2021. The Michael Fisher Child Health Equity Center was established in 2022. Before joining Children鈥檚, he served as president/CEO of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber where he led the launch of two enduring economic growth initiatives: The Minority Business Accelerator (MBA) and Cincy Tech.
Delores Hargrove-Young is vice chairwoman of d.e. Foxx & Associates Inc. where she serves as a key strategic leader, ambassador, and adviser. Before stepping into this role, she was president/COO of XLC Services, a single-source provider of manufacturing services, warehouse management solutions, and distribution services. She was one of XLC鈥檚 principal founders, responsible for business operations in 14 states.
J. Phillip Holloman is a distinguished and accomplished business leader known for his focused and success-oriented determination. He spent 22 years with the Cintas Corporation in a variety of progressive roles culminating in his position as president/COO. He and his wife, Gail, established the Seven Principles Foundation to provide grants to nonprofits specializing in childhood development, adult job readiness training, and social equity. In 2020, the Hollomans gave a transformational gift of $1 million to establish the Holloman Center for Social Justice at the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio to engage in policy advocacy work and community education to advance racial equity in the region.
John E. Pepper spent a 40-year career in various positions at Procter & Gamble, including CEO/chairman from 1995 to 1999 and chairman of the board from 2000 to 2002. He served as director emeritus of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center board and was CEO from January 2006 鈥 May 2007. He served as board chairman of the Walt Disney Company from January 2007 through March 2012. He also served as Yale University鈥檚 finance and administration vice president. He is a former member of the Cincinnati Preschool Program board of trustees, a founding supporter of Every Child Succeeds, and a co-founder of the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative.
