27th Annual Lions Ceremony

Premieres Thursday, April 8th, 2021 at 7:00 pm

WLWT Channel 5 (Televised Event), Cincinnati, OH

Airdates

April 8, 7:00 PM WLWT

April 10, 7:30 PM WLWT

April 11, 4:30 AM WLWT

April 11, 11:00 PM METV

April 12, 12:30 PM WLWT

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“Until lions have their own historians, tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”

- African Proverb

The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio has a rich 72-year history. This event will mark the 27th Lions Ceremony to honor community leaders who have reached the age of 65 and distinguished themselves in both their personal and professional lives.

Bootsy and Patti Collins

Bootsy and Patti Collins are a powerful couple. Bootsy’s musical success has allowed the couple to give back to community organizations and support other efforts. Patti Collins is president of the Bootsy Collins Foundation and heads its community efforts. Their foundation is geared to help girls build self-esteem to combat bullying and support oral health efforts.

Eileen Cooper Reed

Eileen Cooper Reed is a change-maker and advocate. Her entire adult life has been dedicated to the improvement of the human condition particularly for children and families of color. As a lawyer, Eileen opened the Cincinnati office of the Children’s Defense Fund. Eileen’s devotion to service led to her election to the City of Cincinnati’s Board of Education where she served two four-year terms and was chosen President by her colleagues four of those years.

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Dave Dillon

Dave Dillon is the retired Chairman and CEO of The Kroger Co. Dave served in a variety of leadership roles after joining the Dillon Companies (now part of Kroger) in 1976 with its King Soopers division in Denver. Dave retired as CEO of Kroger at the end of 2013 and as Chairman of the Board of Directors at the end of 2014. While Chairman and CEO of Kroger, he also served as the Board Chair for the Board of Trustees for the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio.

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Michael J. Graham, S.J

Michael Graham, S.J. assumed the presidency of Xavier University in 2001. In 2019, he became the longest-tenured President in the history of that institution. His passion is to connect and collaborate with local and regional communities. He established the Community Building Institute as well as the Eigel Center for Community Engagement at Xavier. Father Graham has been a long-time advocate and supporter of the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio.

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Dr. O’dell Owens

Dr. O’dell Owens is President & CEO of Interact for Health. He is well known for establishing an in-vitro fertilization program and achieving Cincinnati’s first successful conception and delivery. In November 1988, Dr. Owens announced Cincinnati’s first pregnancy from a frozen embryo. In August 2010, Dr. Owens was selected by the board of trustees of Cincinnati State Technical and Community College to be the fifth president. He served as President until October 2015. Dr. Owens also served as the Medical Director and Interim Health Commissioner for the City of Cincinnati.