Miami Valley Urban League Pillar Awards
Every year, the Miami Valley Urban League (MVUL) honors outstanding community leaders and minority-owned businesses with the prestigious Pillar Awards. These awards recognize individuals and organizations that have not only excelled in their respective fields but have also made significant contributions to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Greater Dayton and Miami Valley regions. Their unwavering commitment and transformative efforts in the community underscore the Pillar Awards as a beacon of the region's highest accomplishments in service and leadership.
We are excited to announce this year’s Pillar Award recipients, a group of exemplary leaders who embody the best in community engagement and advocacy. These distinguished honorees have made remarkable impacts on the Miami Valley region, uplifting a culture of leadership that inspires and promotes positive change. Our 2024 honorees are:
- Brian O. Martin, Executive Director, Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC)
- Tom Roberts, President, Ohio NAACP
- Belinda Matthews Stenson, VP of Business Inclusion, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce
- CDO Technologies, Al Wofford, President (2024 Pillar IMPACT Award for minority-owned businesses)
- Brian O. Martin
- Tom Roberts
- Belinda Matthews Stenson
- CDO Technologies
- Past Pillar Honorees
2024 Pillar Award Honoree
Brian O. Martin has led the MVRPC for over a decade, focusing on regional planning initiatives such as clean air and water, transportation, land use, disaster recovery, equity, and livability. His strategic leadership was crucial during the Memorial Day 2019 tornadoes, helping steer the region's effective response and recovery. Martin’s vision for a sustainable and equitable community drives his continuous advocacy for comprehensive regional planning. His previous roles include Director of Strategic Planning at the Central Ohio Transit Authority and several key positions at the Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission.
2024 Pillar Award Honoree
Tom Roberts has a notable career in civil rights and public service, marked by his tenure as President of the Ohio NAACP and his legislative work in the Ohio House of Representatives and Senate. His leadership extends beyond politics into significant civil rights advocacy, educational reform, and economic development initiatives. Roberts' commitment to civil rights and his dedication to community service have earned him numerous accolades, including recognition from the Ohio Black Expo for his lifelong contributions to civil rights and community leadership.
2024 Pillar Award Honoree
Belinda Matthews Stenson manages the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce's initiatives for inclusive economic growth, supporting minority-, women-, veteran-owned, and economically disadvantaged businesses. Her career includes significant roles at NCR Corporation in finance, human resources, and operations, as well as running a management consulting firm. Matthews Stenson’s robust involvement in various community boards and initiatives showcases her commitment to fostering economic inclusivity and diversity within the business sector.
2024 Pillar Award IMPACT Honoree
Al Wofford, founder and president of CDO Technologies, is celebrated for his pioneering approach to IT solutions, specializing in critical data management, cybersecurity, and systems integration. Wofford's leadership has propelled CDO Technologies to the forefront of the industry, with significant contributions to national security and infrastructure projects. His commitment to technological innovation and community engagement has established him as a leader in both the business and civic sectors of Dayton.
Past Pillar Honorees
2016
Willie Walker
John Moore, Sr.
2017
Margaret Peters
Jenell Ross
2018
RoNita Hawes Saunders
Willis "Bing" Davis
2019
Daryl & Vanessa Ward
Dr. & Mrs. Charles S. Brown
2022
Stacy Thompson Speare-Hardy
Cathy Ponitz
Lucious Plant
LFL Insurance, Leronda Jackson, Owner
2023
Helen Jones Kelley
J. Tom Maultsby
Sharon White
KTownsend Consulting, Dr. Karen Townsend, Owner
