Alumni gala celebrates UC Black excellence, honors six standouts

Outstanding achievements within the University of Cincinnati family are the focus of the tenth Onyx & Ruby Gala, to be hosted by the UC Alumni Association’s African American Alumni Affiliate on Feb. 17 at the Graduate Cincinnati hotel on the UC campus.

The African American Alumni Affiliate (4A) will present six awards at the Onyx & Ruby Gala, including celebrations of tremendous lifetime professional accomplishment, the active uplifting of others, shaping students’ personal and professional development, and demonstrated leadership among young alumni and students. Visit the UC Alumni Association’s website to read about all six 2024 honorees, learn more about the event and register.

The honoree group is headlined by Georgia E. Beasley Legacy Award recipient Cathy Bernardino Bailey (A&S '91), 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; and by Linda Bates Parker Legend Award recipient Mark Mallory (A&S ’93), who was Cincinnati’s first directly elected Black mayor, serving two terms between 2005 and 2013.

“The Onyx & Ruby Gala is a truly unique event on UC’s calendar,” said Brian Hardy, 4A chair. “We gather as one proud family, raise funds for the Shani Scholarship, and honor some of the most outstanding members of the UC’s alumni family for their tremendous achievements thus far, as well as those yet to come.”

The Shani Scholarship was created in 2017 to support underrepresented students in their quest to pursue study-abroad or international co-op experiences. Shani is a Swahili word that roughly translates to “to travel.” Beyond being the Shani Scholarship Fund’s primary annual fundraiser, the Onyx & Ruby Gala offers sponsorship opportunities at five different levels, enabling organizations and individuals to lend their direct support.

For more information, including to learn more about Onyx & Ruby Gala sponsorships, visit alumni.uc.edu/onyxandruby or contact Maurice Stewart, Director of Alumni Engagement, Inclusive Excellence, UC Alumni Association at 513-556-4312 or maurice.stewart@foundation.uc.edu.

Georgia E. Beasley Legacy Award
Cathy Bernardino Bailey, A&S ’91

Linda Bates Parker Legend Award
The Honorable Mark Mallory, A&S ’93

Pillar of the Community Award
Tamika Vinson-Reid, A&S ’99

Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins Tower of Strength Award
Dana Harley, PhD, CAHS ’03

Emerging Leader Award
Angelica M. Hardee, PhD, CECH ’13, ’14, ’17

Student Trailblazer Award
Corin Manning, CECH ’24 

Featured image at top: 2023 Onyx and Ruby Gala honorees. Photo/UC Alumni Association.