MVUL SELECTS 2023 PILLARS

Miami Valley Urban League (MVUL) has selected this year's Pillar Award recipients! The Pillar Award is one of the most prestigious honors that can be bestowed upon an individual in the Miami Valley region. Each year the Pillar Award is presented to “Pillars” in the Miami Valley region including Greater Dayton who have demonstrated decades of impactful service within the community.

2023 Pillar Award Recipients:

Helen Jones-Kelley, J.D.; Executive Director of the Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS)

As Executive Director of Montgomery County ADAMHS, Helen Jones-Kelley oversees efforts to provide treatment and supportive services to residents and their families who are facing mental health and substance use challenges. During the pandemic, she led the coordination of resources and service provider collaboration to ensure programs and treatment for people dealing with isolation and trauma. Throughout her career she has advocated on behalf of the children, families and individuals who needed their voice in places where they felt unheard or helpless. Her deep engagement with resolving equity for marginalized people is evidenced in the many community boards where she has been engaged, including the Dayton Foundation, Sinclair Community College, and the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio.

J. Thomas Maultsby; Retired CEO & President, United Way of the Greater Dayton Area

Tom Maultsby is a convener of people and opportunities to support and contribute for the betterment of their community, both personally and professionally. For the first two years of the pandemic, Tom armed community leaders and stakeholders with the most current information about COVID-19 from the leadership at Dayton-Montgomery County Public Health, and local and federal government. Through his consulting practice, Group One Development, Tom has trained hundreds of thousands of participants in a range of disciplines, including positive leadership, diversity, emotional intelligence, team building, and strategic planning. Tom has published two books and written numerous articles on business and leadership, and co-authored curricula on diversity and emotional intelligence.

Sharon D. White; Premier Health, System Director of Community & Government Relations and Site Communications

Currently serving as System Director of Community & Government Relations and Site Communications for Premier Health, Sharon was on the frontline to inform the Dayton community on COVID protocols, testing and treatments. Beginning her career in broadcast television, Sharon has received numerous accolades for her work, including the Regional Communicator of the Year Award by the International Communications Training Institute, multiple National “Communicator” and “Telly” Awards and induction into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame. She has been an intricate part of the Urban League movement in Dayton having served and chaired the local board, as well as the Dayton Urban League Gala, earning her recognition as Central Region Volunteer of the Year from the National Urban League.

The Pillar Awards also recognizes a Minority/Women Owned Business Enterprise Impact Honoree each year.
2023 Pillar M/WBE Impact Award Recipient:

KTownsend Consulting; Dr. Karen Townsend, Owner

KTownsend Consulting offers expertise in leadership development and 21st century diversity. Dr. Karen Town works with corporate, government and non-profit clients and individuals who are committed to advancing their leadership skills. Dr. Karen has a long-standing commitment to the Urban League movement. She was a program assistant at the Columbus Urban League and ultimately served as a board member for the Dayton Urban League. Dr. Karen is the founder of Sister to Sister—an annual women’s conference hosted in Dayton. This year, the conference will celebrate its 30th anniversary—making the conference one of the longest-running women’s events in the country.

MVUL will host the Pillar Award reception will take place Thursday, June 22 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at The Steam Plant, located at 617 E. Third Street in Dayton. Tickets are now available for purchase, so get yours today!