Legends and Legacies

We are proud to honor MacArthur Fellowship winner Hanif Abdurraqib and Ohio State history professor and author Hasan Kwame Jeffries, PhD at our 16th Annual Legends & Legacies Award Ceremony and Reception on Thursday, October 12, 2023.

Honorary Co-Chairs

Linda and Frank Kass*

Host Committee Co-Chairs

Bonita and Archie Griffin

Gale V. King

Host Committee

George Barrett*

The Honorable Joyce Beatty*

Frederic and Heather Bertley

Jeri Block and Bobby Schottenstein*

Dr. Marcia Chambers

Norma Duckett*

Lisa and Jeff Edwards

Jasmine and Reuben Green

Cindy and Larry Hilsheimer

Lori and Chris Holtmann

Donna and Larry James

Olivia Johnson

Mary Lazarus

Valarie McDaniel

Randi and John Mitchell

*Denotes extra gift

As of October 10, 2023

Dan Moncrief, III

Ann and Ron Pizzuti

Denise Rehg

Sheila and Gene Smith*

Joy and Bruce Soll

Cheryl Brooks Sullivan

Betty and Benny Upchurch

Proceeds from the event supported the many arts education programs offered by The King Arts Complex.

2022 Honorees: Melissa Gilliam, MD, Melissa Shivers, PhD, and Gene Smith

Join The King Arts Complex as we honor Ohio State’s Executive Vice President and Provost Melissa Gilliam, MD, Senior Vice President for the Office of Student Life Melissa Shivers, PhD, and Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletic Director Gene Smith at the 15^th Annual Legends and Legacies. The Award Ceremony and Reception will be held on Thursday, October 6, 2022 at the Lincoln Theatre.

2021 Honorees: Ann and Ron Pizzuti

The King Arts Complex celebrated the 14th annual Legends and Legacies award recipients on Thursday, October 7, 2021 . The honorees were Ann and Ron Pizzuti.

The Pizzutis are ranked by ART News among “The World’s Top 200 Collectors” and have amassed a truly legendary contemporary art collection. In donating The Pizzuti Collection to the Columbus Museum of Art, they have created a legacy that will endure for decades to come.

Ann and Ron Pizzuti are among the nation’s foremost collectors of black art with works by over 111 African, Afro-Cuban and African American artists. They own works by African Americans: Kara Walker, Kehinde Wiley, Mark Bradford, Titus Kaphar, Hank Willis Thomas, Wangechi Mutu, Lyle Ashton Harris, Kerry James Marshall, Leonardo Drew, Carrie Mae Weems, Derrick Adams and Julie Mehretu, among others.

Ann and Ron have spent the last 40 years amassing a collection of over 2,000 pieces of contemporary art. In September 2015, they decided to share their collection with the City of Columbus by creating The Pizzuti Collection, now a part of the Columbus Museum of Art. By doing so, Ann and Ron aimed “to foster cultural understanding and educational exchange by championing a diversity of voices from around the globe.”

2019 Honorees: Curtis J. Moody, Sr. and Lewis R. Smoot, Sr.

2018 Honorees: Honorable R. Guy Cole, Jr., Honorable Algenon L. Marbley & Alex Shumate, Esq.

2017 Honorees: U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty & Honorable Otto Beatty, Esq.

Congresswoman Beatty currently represents the 3rd District of Ohio in the U.S. House of Representatives. She previously served five terms in the Ohio House of Representatives, where she became the first female Democratic House Leader in Ohio’s history. Attorney Otto Beatty, Jr. served for eighteen years in the Ohio General Assembly and is the former president of the Franklin County Trial Lawyers Association. He is a tireless advocate for children, families, and consumers.

2016 Honorees: President and Mrs. Michael V. Drake of The Ohio State University

Dr. Drake was appointed the 15th President of The Ohio State University in 2014. An experienced leader, Dr. Drake has shared a compelling vision for the university to continue its ascent in the national rankings while focusing on greater access, affordability and inclusive excellence. A physician by training, Dr. Drake has provided exceptional leadership to the university community, and to higher education nationally.

After a career as a lawyer and as a director or trustee of organizations focused on education, international health, finance, civil rights and the arts, Mrs. Drake now serves Ohio State through advocacy and engagement on campus, in Columbus and throughout the country.

Together, the Drakes are talented, dynamic leaders whose dedication to Ohio State and the community will have an enormous impact for years to come.

2015 Honoree: Mayor Michael B. Coleman

It is indisputable that Mayor Michael B. Coleman’s achievement in his 16 years’ tenure has benefited most of community members in Columbus: projects in downtown area have revitalized King Lincoln District, Near East Side and Franklinton; and recent community development of American Addition area increases the number of beneficiaries in Columbus.

As Columbus Museum of Art CEO Nanette Maciejunes referred in the Award Ceremony, “Showing up is the best support.” Mayor B. Coleman has been active in almost every community events, from museum receptions, tie tying ceremony to small business conference and Columbus Marathon. His efforts have left us a healthier community environment encouraging everyone to participate in making Columbus a better home for future generations.

2014 Honoree: Wil Haygood

2013 Honoree: Dennison W. Griffith

2012 Honorees: Tuskegee Airmen

The King Arts Complex will celebrate the 6th Annual Legends & Legacies Awards, "Living Legends of the Skies: The Tuskegee Airmen". This year's honorees will be eight Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen from Ohio. These individuals are the heroes and pioneers of equality that triumphed over adversity and rose above obstacles. We are proud to honor their bravery and accomplishments!

Thomas Austin
Harold Brown
Hilton Carter, Jr.
Donald E. Elder
Charles Feaster
Robert L. Harvey, Sr.
John Leahr
Paul Menefield
Charles I. Williams

Honorary Co-Chairs

Host Committee Co-Chairs

Host Committee

Proceeds from the event supported the many arts education programs offered by The King Arts Complex.

2022 Honorees: Melissa Gilliam, MD, Melissa Shivers, PhD, and Gene Smith

2021 Honorees: Ann and Ron Pizzuti

2019 Honorees: Curtis J. Moody, Sr. and Lewis R. Smoot, Sr.

2018 Honorees: Honorable R. Guy Cole, Jr., Honorable Algenon L. Marbley & Alex Shumate, Esq.

2017 Honorees: U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty & Honorable Otto Beatty, Esq.

2016 Honorees: President and Mrs. Michael V. Drake of The Ohio State University

2015 Honoree: Mayor Michael B. Coleman

2014 Honoree: Wil Haygood

2013 Honoree: Dennison W. Griffith

2012 Honorees: Tuskegee Airmen

2011 Honorees: Central Ohio Leaders

2010 Honorees: Maya Angelou, Bernie Casey, & Hal Williams

2009 Honorees: Lerone Bennett Jr., Johnetta B. Cole, & Samella Lewis

2008 Honorees: Harry Belafonte, James Counts Early, & Danny Glover

2007 Honorees: Celebrating Artists

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