Alumni to be honored at gala recognizing UC Black excellence
The 2025 Onyx & Ruby Gala will celebrate excellence within the University of Cincinnati’s Black community, honoring six recipients at the African American Alumni Affiliate’s annual awards.
Outstanding achievements within the University of Cincinnati family are the focus of the 11th annual gala, to be hosted by the UC Alumni Association’s African American Alumni Affiliate (4A) Feb. 22 at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.
4A will present six awards at the Onyx & Ruby Gala, including celebrations of tremendous professional accomplishment, contributions to the community, the active uplifting of others, shaping students’ personal and professional development and demonstrated leadership among alumni and students. Visit the Onyx & Ruby Gala webpage to read about all six 2025 honorees, learn more about the event and register.
The honoree group is headlined by Georgia E. Beasley Legacy Award recipient Eric C. Broyles, Esq., UCBA ’90, Bus ’92; and Linda Bates Parker Legend Award recipient Candice N. Matthews Brackeen, A&S ’04. Broyles is a corporate attorney turned accomplished entrepreneur, loyal alumnus and donor whose philanthropy includes a $1 million gift to create the Eric C. Broyles Student Success Scholarship Fund for UC Blue Ash students. Matthews Brackeen is founder and CEO of Lightship Foundation and Lightship Capital, a champion of inclusive entrepreneurship who drives innovation.
“The Onyx & Ruby Gala is the 4A flagship event of the year,” said Brian Hardy, Bus ’01, 4A chair. “We celebrate the individuals who proudly stand on the shoulders of those who came before them. In our celebration, we also get to be an example to others with the opportunity to give back and raise funds for the Shani Scholarship.”
The Onyx & Ruby Gala serves as the primary fundraiser for the Shani Scholarship, created in 2017 to support students in their pursuit of study abroad and international co-op opportunities. Shani is a Swahili word that roughly translates to “to travel.” The Onyx & Ruby Gala offers sponsorship opportunities at four different levels, enabling organizations and individuals to lend their direct support.
For more information, including Onyx & Ruby Gala sponsorship opportunities, visit alumni.uc.edu/onyxandruby or contact Maurice B. Stewart, A&S ’16, Director of Alumni Engagement, Inclusive Excellence, UC Alumni Association at 513-556-4312 or maurice.stewart@foundation.uc.edu.
2025 Onyx & Ruby Honorees
2025 Onyx & Ruby honorees. Top row (L to R): Eric C. Broyles, Esq., Candice N. Matthews Brackeen, Michael R. Moore. Bottom row (L to R): Alvin H. Crawford, MD, Aharon C. Brown, Jaela R. Kennedy.
- Georgia E. Beasley Legacy Award: Eric C. Broyles, Esq., UCBA ’90, Bus ’92
- Linda Bates Parker Legend Award: Candice N. Matthews Brackeen, A&S ’04
- Pillar of the Community Award: Michael R. Moore, CEAS ’96
- Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins Tower of Strength Award: Alvin H. Crawford, MD, Hon ’18
- Emerging Leader Award: Aharon C. Brown, DAAP ’19
- Student Trailblazer Award: Jaela R. Kennedy, A&S ’25
Featured image at top: 2024 Onyx and Ruby Gala honorees. Photo/UC Alumni Association.
Related Stories
Fall grads celebrate their success at commencement
December 12, 2025
The University of Cincinnati recognized more than 2,600 graduates at its fall commencement.
Make Hoxworth Blood Center’s special holiday events part of your family celebrations this December
December 12, 2025
This December, Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati, is inviting families across Greater Cincinnati to add something truly meaningful to their holiday traditions: giving the gift of life. With festive community events, beloved local partners and special thank-you gifts for donors, Hoxworth is making it easier, and more heartwarming than ever, to roll up your sleeves and help save lives close to home.
University of Cincinnati college is piloting a program to serve alumni of foster and kinship care
December 12, 2025
In 2025 the Ohio Reach Postsecondary designation was awarded to UC's College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology (CECH) as part of the program's third cohort. The program recognizes and supports higher education institutions that have worked to make their campuses welcoming and accessible for students with a history in foster or kinship care. CECH will run a pilot program called Anchor Point aimed at wide-scale implementation across the campus in Fall 2026.