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2020 Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame Inductees Revealed

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The Walk of Fame induction class of 2020 offers a first-class mix of individuals with outstanding achievements in the categories of Arts, Culture, Education, Invention, Science, Military, Community Service, Significant Personal Achievement, Entertainment, Media and Philanthropy. 

“We have another year of outstanding inductees,” said Harry Seifert, president and CEO of Wright Dunbar, Inc. “They are all excellent examples of the exceptional people who made great strides in their personal lives and have remembered the Miami Valley as their home.”

The 2020 class of inductees are: Hallie Quinn Brown, William Hale Charch, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, John Legend, and AFC William H. Pitsenbarger. 

Hallie Quinn Brown (1850 – 1949) an educator, author, elocutionist, historian, civil rights reformer and women’s rights advocate during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The daughter of former slaves, she attended Wilberforce University graduating in 1873. She became a teacher and later became a dean at Allen University and the Tuskegee Institute. After attending the Boston School of Oratory, she became an accomplished speaker, travelling nationally and internationally to speak on topics of African-American Folklore and Song to Civil Rights and the Temperance Movement. For ten years she served as professor of elocution at Wilberforce University and was a leader in fundraising for the college. She helped to establish the National Association of Colored Women where she served as president for four years and as honorary president for the remainder of her life. She also served as president of the Ohio State Federation of Women’s Clubs for seven years. The Hallie Q. Brown Community Center in St. Paul, MN is named for her as is the library at Central State University. Ms. Brown is buried at Massie’s Creek Cemetery in Cedarville, Ohio.

William Hale Charch (1898 – 1958) this inventor and scientist gave us one of the most innovative food storage creations of the twentieth century: moisture proof cellophane. The cellophane he invented was a translucent natural plastic film made to protect and preserve food from air, moisture and bacteria, thereby revolutionizing food storage, safety and cleanliness. Working for the DuPont Corporation, he tested more than 2,000 formulas before devising a workable process to manufacture the new product. By 1927, DuPont was selling more than $3.7 million worth of cellophane. During World War II, cellophane was classified as an “essential material” used for the packaging of G.I. rations. Charch then spent the remainder of his career at DuPont contributing to the development of Teflon, Orlon, Dacron and Lycra. William Hale Charch was born in Dayton, graduated from Stivers High School, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at Miami University and a Doctorate’s degree in organic Chemistry from Ohio State University. Mr. Charch is buried in Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum in Dayton, Ohio.

Mike DeWine (1947 –  ) Greene County Prosecutor, Ohio State Senator, U.S. Representative, Lt. Governor, U.S. Senator, Attorney General and Governor. Mike DeWine has worked tirelessly to preserve and share the rich heritage of the greater Dayton area. His work includes the support of major projects at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, the National Air and Space Intelligence Center and the Air Force Institute of Technology, the Energy Department in Miamisburg, the creation of the National Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and the National Aviation Heritage Area, and the Wright Dunbar Main Street Program. Gov. DeWine has been on the front lines of helping children and the disadvantaged by launching the Crimes Against Children Initiative, combating the opioid crisis, reducing the time for DNA testing supporting criminal investigations, passing strict drunk driving laws and improving education for increased job opportunities. Mike DeWine graduated from Yellow Springs High School, married his childhood sweetheart, and received a bachelor’s degree from Miami University and a juris doctor’s degree from Ohio Northern University Law School. He maintains a home in Cedarville where he entertains many from around the state of Ohio at his annual ice cream social. 

John Legend (1978 –  ) singer, songwriter, artist and entertainer. John Legend was born in Springfield, Ohio and began playing the piano at age four. He graduated from Springfield North High School and attended the University of Pennsylvania. He began his career in New York nightclubs and soon found himself collaborating with the best of R & B and hip-hop artists. In 2018, Legend became one of the youngest Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony (EGOT) winners and made history as the first African-American man to win all four awards. Overall, Legend has won 25 awards from 70 nominations which include 10 Grammys. John’s foundation, the Show Me Campaign, seeks to give every child access to quality education and to elevate and celebrate teachers, the single most important factor for student achievement in our schools. The campaign also works to end the school-to prison pipeline and to address systemic issues in our criminal justice system that disproportionately impact the poor, minorities and disadvantaged. John Legend has performed concerts and lent his name to world-wide charitable efforts in support of equal access to educational opportunities, HIV/AIDS awareness, disaster relief and advocacy for troops and veterans and much, much more. His support of the Springfield community is evident through benefit concerts and performances for the Springfield City School District, the Springfield Center for Innovation: The Dome and victims of the Oregon District mass shooting. John Legend has made a huge humanitarian impact regionally, nationally, and internationally. His light will only continue to shine brighter and more intensely in the coming years.


William H. Pitsenbarger (1944 – 1966) Airman First Class, USAF. Born and raised in Piqua, Ohio, William tried to enlist in the U.S. Army as a Green Beret during his junior year of high school but his parents refused to give their permission. After he graduated from high school, he joined the Air Force and in 1962 found himself on a train bound for Air Force basic training. Airman Pitsenbarger volunteered for Pararescue and was trained and assigned to the Rescue Squadron based at Hamilton AFB, California. He served a temporary duty in Vietnam and then volunteered to return. He received orders in 1965 to report to the 38th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Bien Hoa Air Base in Saigon. On May 11, 1966 near Cam My, Airman Pitsenbarger was aboard a rescue helicopter responding to a call for evacuation of casualties. Pitsenbarger rode a hoist to the ground where he coordinated rescue efforts, cared for the wounded, and prepared casualties for evacuation. Airman Pitsenbarger stayed behind to perform medical duties during a period of heavy assault by a large Viet Cong force. He courageously resisted the enemy, distributed vital ammunition to his fellow soldiers, repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire and returned fire whenever he could. Airman Pitsenbarger was fatally shot and perished while saving the lives of wounded soldiers on the ground. For his courage and gallantry, Airman First Class William H. Pitsenbarger was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross. In 2008, his family accepted the Congressional Medal of Honor from the Secretary of the Air Force. William Pitsenbarger is buried in Miami Memorial Park Cemetery in Covington, Ohio.

Induction Ceremony Postponed

As the Coronavirus (COVID -19) continues to impact our local area, state and country, we regret to announce the postponement of the 2020 Walk of Fame Inductees Luncheon. It is through an abundance of caution for our honorees, staff, volunteers, guests, patrons, and supporters that we have decided to postpone the induction ceremony until 2021. The webpage will be updated with information as it becomes available.  Nomination forms for the 2022 Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony are currently being accepted. 

Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame Nomination Due Feb 5th

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The deadline to nominate a Daytonian for the Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame is 5pm on February 5, 2020. The online nomination form and narrative, along with any accompanying materials must be emailed to [email protected]  
NOTE: Nominations will be considered active for three years from the date of submission after which a new form must be submitted, officials from Wright Dunbar, Inc. advised.
The Walk of Fame began in 1996 as part of the Dayton Bicentennial celebration. The Walk honors individuals or groups from the Dayton region who have spent a significant amount of time in the region and have made an enduring impact on the local community, the region, the nation and/or world. Memorial stones for each honoree are placed in the sidewalks of Dayton’s historic Wright-Dunbar District along West Third Street between Shannon and Broadway Streets.
“We look forward to the community nominating those who have done great work in support of the region, the nation, and the world,” said Harry Seifert, Wright Dunbar Inc. president and chair. “We know there are many in business, community service and other actives who deserve to be recognized. The region’s Walk of Fame provides recognition to those who are worthy and helps motivate a new generation to do great things.”

The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Betsy Whitney, John Gower and Jessie Gooding were the class of 2019 Inductees.

Nominations may be made in the categories of arts and culture, aviation, business and corporate, education, entertainment and media, environment, government and military, invention and innovation, law, medicine, philanthropy, science, significant personal achievement, and sports.
Nomination forms are available for download at: https://www.daytonwalkoffame.citymax.com/walk-of-fame-application.html . The website includes a list of past inductees.
The 2020 inductees will be honored at a luncheon at Sinclair Community College on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020.

Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame Inducts New Honorees

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Three individuals and one performing arts organization joined the Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame today at the 2019 induction ceremony held at Sinclair conference Center today. The Walk of Fame, located in Wright Dunbar includes over 180 Dayton individuals and organizations.  Granite pavers are located on the sidewalks on both sides of West Third Street between Shannon and Broadway Streets and on Williams Street in Wright Dunbar
 “We have another year of outstanding inductees.  They are all excellent examples of the exceptional people who make this area a great place to live and raise a family,” said Harry Seifert, president and CEO of Wright Dunbar, Inc.
This year’s inductees are

Walk of Fame 2019 – Jessie Gooding from Knack For Substance on Vimeo.

Jessie Gooding (1926-)
One of the Dayton region’s foremost civil rights leaders, Jessie Gooding was born and raised in Minden, La. After serving in the segregated U. S. Army, he studied at Wilberforce University and became a chemist at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Witnessing—and experiencing—discrimination in the workplace, Gooding established equal employment opportunity and sensitivity training, which became mandatory in the Air Force in the 1960s. He also advocated for the Air Force to recruit top science and engineering students from historically black colleges and universities. Gooding is the longest serving president of the Dayton chapter of the NAACP (1982-2002.) Under his leadership the Dayton NAACP increased voter registration and pressed for reforms to end discrimination in education, employment, housing and law enforcement. He is co-author with Rosalind Vera Osinubi of Freedom and Justice for All: My Life and Dayton Civil Rights History.
“It’s indeed a pleasure and a great measure of honor to be among individuals chosen for the Walk of Fame,” Gooding said.
 

Walk of Fame 2019 – John Gower from Knack For Substance on Vimeo.

John Gower (1953-)
John Gower is a life-long Dayton resident who has devoted his career as an urban planner to preserving Dayton’s history and making it a more enjoyable place to live. His advocacy for Dayton began as a student at the University of Cincinnati’s School of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning, when he volunteered weekends in Dayton to board up abandoned homes in his Dayton View neighborhood. He has worked as Dayton’s downtown planner, director of community development, urban design coordinator, and most recently as reimaging strategist. The Living City Project he led has been called a catalyst for revitalizing downtown housing. He led architectural preservation efforts that resulted in the city’s Historic District Zoning and Landmarks Commission. His preservation advocacy continues even in retirement, and he has been a leading advocate for restoring the downtown Dayton Arcade.
Lifelong Dayton resident John Gower called his hometown “probably the greatest place on the face of the planet.” He said it’s “the perfect size” for individuals to be able to have an impact locally and even globally.
 
“Anybody here can make anything happen,” Gower said. “If you want to make the world a better place, you start with your city.”

Walk of Fame 2019 – Betsy & Lee Whitney from Knack For Substance on Vimeo.

Betsy and Lee Whitney (1930-, 1930-2018)
Betsy and Lee Whitney have been exemplary leaders in arts, social services, history and business organizations. Born in Yellow Springs, Betsy Baldwin  met Leon “Lee” Whitney in college at Ohio Wesleyan. They married in 1953. Lee joined his father-in-law’s insurance company, which grew to become Baldwin and Whitney with Lee Whitney as president. The Whitneys have been generous with their talents and resources.  A past president and board chair of the YWCA, Betsy served on boards and/or fundraising committees for the Dayton Art Institute, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Dayton Visual Arts Center, Human Race Theater Company, Victoria Theatre Association, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, Dayton History, Leadership Dayton, Dayton Foundation and Wright-Dunbar Inc. Lee served as president of Dayton Children’s, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Downtown Dayton Partnership and the YMCA, and as a board member of the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, United Theological Seminary, and Westminster Church. Through his countless volunteer hours at Carillon Historical Park. He saw the need for a picnic shelter for schoolchildren. The Whitney Pavilion there now proudly serves visitors of all ages. Both Whitneys served on additional nonprofit boards and committees too numerous to list here.
Betsy Whitney, speaking for herself and her late husband Leon “Lee” Whitney, said the Dayton community “welcomed us with opportunities to serve” when they arrived in 1954. While Lee built up the insurance company started by Betsy’s father, both became active philanthropists and took leadership positions in numerous community organizations. “We have enjoyed every challenge along the way,” she said.
 

Walk of Fame 2019 – DCDC from Knack For Substance on Vimeo.

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
Nationally and internationally acclaimed local group on the dance stage and in film, DCDC has been a recognized cultural amenity in the Dayton arts scene for over 50 years. Few individuals or arts organizations in the region have represented Dayton on a larger scale. DCDC represents the Dayton region around the world. In this decade it has toured in Chili, China, Russia and Kazakhstan. PBS featured DCDC in the 2007 documentary “Dance in America: Dancing in the Light.” The film documentary “Sparkle,” which featured DCDC dancer Sheri “Sparkle Williams,” was selected to screen at Silverdocs, America’s largest and most prestigious documentary film festival in 2012. DCDC won the prestigious 2016 “Bessie” Award for Outstanding Revival for its performance of “Rainbow ‘Round my Shoulder” at the David H. Koch Theater in New York. DCDC was founded by Jeraldyne Blunden (1940-1999,) who was inducted in the Walk of Fame as an individual in 1999.
Representing the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company were Ronita Hawes-Saunders, its chief executive officer, and Debbie Blunden-Diggs, chief artistic administrator and production director and daughter of DCDC founder Jeraldyne Blunden. Diggs said her mother “planted her feet in Dayton 50 years ago because she wanted this company here.” Even as DCDC performs at venues around the world, she said, “there’s no place like home for us.”

Walk The Walk- Taste The Trucks Friday in Wright Dunbar

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Five of Dayton’s veteran food trucks have joined together to present Taste The Trucks this Friday night as part of Wright Dunbar Inc’s annual Walk the Walk event.

West Third Street between Shannon and Broadway Streets will be shut down from 5-9pm so you can Taste The Trucks.  G’s Cue BBQ, HungerPaynes, McNasty’s, PA’s Pork, and The Wicked ‘Wich will be set up and ready to serve you. Each of the trucks will be presenting a brand new food item and you can try all five for just $20.  There will also be a vegetarian selection at each truck.  You can pre-purchase your truck ticket book online and avoid any lines, and speaking of lines, since each truck is just presenting one item, the service will be extremely quick, eliminating the long lines often found at other food truck gatherings. Tables and chairs will be set up, but you are encourage to bring your own lawn chairs and kick back and enjoy the live music presented by Premium Blend.

Walk the Walk refers to Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame, which highlights 170 of Dayton’s  outstanding and enduring personal or professional contributions to the community, nation and the world.  Visit the place where three exceptional men, Orville and Wilbur Wright, and Paul Laurence Dunbar called home.  We’ll be celebrating the 2018 honoree’s, who will be added to the Walk on September 27th at an induction luncheon to be held at the Sincalir Conference Center.

The 2018 honorees are:  Hannah Beachler, Major General George R. Crook, Dr. Richard A. DeWall, Robert C. Koepnick, Police Sergeant Lucius J. Rice and Policewoman Dora Burton Rice, and Julia Reichert.

Begin your visit at the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, where KIDS LOT will have a children’s activity center set up, inviting the youngster to create dream catchers, space shuttles, and even their own Dayton Walk of Fame square.  There will also be a chance to pilot their own plane virtually, courtesy of Dayton’s Air Camp.

Nominations Being Accepted For Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame

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TheDayton Region’s Walk of Fame began in 1996 as part of the Dayton Bicentennial celebration, with over 170 people or groups having been recognized since then. Memorial stones are located in the sidewalks along Third and Williams Streets in the Wright Dunbar Business District. A mural designed by artist James Pate highlights the Walk at the corner of West Third and South Williams.

photo by Cathy Ponitz

Wright Dunbar, Inc. announces that 2018 Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame nomination forms are now available online . A list of past inductees is available on the same website.

Paper nomination forms are also available at the Wright Dunbar, Inc. office, 1139 West Third Street, Dayton, OH 45402. Nominations must be received by noon on Thursday, March 1, 2018 online or in the Wright Dunbar office.

Individuals or groups from the Dayton region or who have spent a significant amount of time in the region and have made an enduring impact on the local community, the region, the nation and/or world are eligible for nomination. Arts/Culture, Aviation, Business/Corporate, Education, Entertainment/Media, Environment, Government/Military, Invention/Innovation, Law, Medicine, Philanthropy, Science, Significant Personal Achievement and Sports are the categories highlighted. Last year’s honorees were Oscar and Marjorie Boonshoft, Brigadier General Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., Cathy Guisewite, The Honorable David L. Hobson, Allison Janney and Tecumseh.

The Walk of Fame began in 1996 as part of the Dayton Bicentennial celebration, with over 170 people or groups having been recognized since then. Memorial stones are located in the sidewalks along Third and Williams Streets in the Wright Dunbar Business District. A mural designed by artist James Pate highlights the Walk at the corner of West Third and South Williams.

Harry Seifert, president and chair of the Wright-Dunbar, Inc. board, said, “The Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame serves as a great way to educate the public and instill pride in the accomplishments of the innovative contributions to society that have been made by the region’s outstanding citizens. Celebrating them motivates all us as well to do our best for the region.”

2018 winners will be honored at a luncheon at Sinclair College on Thursday, September 27.

Mystery Monday Oct 2

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Our photo from last week was the Walk of Fame mural that was dedicated on Sept 28th  in the Wright Dunbar neighborhood.  Created by artist James Pate, this project was a collaboration with K12 Gallery, HAALO, and Montgomery County Juvenile Court.  You can find this mural at West Third and South Williams Streets.  Ashley from Miamisburg, Rapid Fired Pizza is coming your way for correctly identifying this location!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=share&v=5XLE-AvcvFA&app=desktop

 

And now for this week’s photo- do you recognize this place? If you know the location of this photo enter it here:  http://goo.gl/forms/dyU55fzc48.  We’ll let you know next Monday if you got it right!  Good Luck!

Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame Mural Dedication Ceremony

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Please join City of Dayton Commissioners and Montgomery County Commissioners and Wright Dunbar, Inc. for the Dedication ceremony of the Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame Mural, Thursday, September 28th at 2:00 p.m., 1100 West Third Street, Dayton Oh 45402.

 

Since 2008, the City of Dayton has awarded nearly $445,000 to neighborhood organizations through the City of Dayton’s Neighborhood Mini Grant Program. Wright Dunbar, Inc. was awarded $5,000 to fund the Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame Mural, at the Wright Dunbar Conference Center, 1100 W. Third Street. The mural features Orville and Wilbur Wright, Paul Laurence Dunbar and symbols that represent the categories of the Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame. The Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame is a significant legacy to the City of Dayton with over 160 outstanding individuals or groups honored for their enduring personal or professional contributions to the community, nation and the world. The memorial stones are installed in the sidewalks along West Third Street between Shannon and Broadway. This corridor is the center of the neighborhood where Wilbur and Orville Wright designed the world’s first manned, powered airplane and African American writer Paul Laurence Dunbar penned his world-renowned works.

 

The mural was designed by Wright Dunbar resident and local artist James Pate. Mr. Pate, together with collaboration of Brittini Long, HAALO, Montgomery County Juvenile Court and management from Jerri Stanard, K12 Gallery & TEJAS, have created a masterpiece that will bring awareness to those individuals honored on the Walk of Fame and be another asset to the Wright Dunbar Village Neighborhood and the Wright Dunbar Business District.

 

The mural was also sponsored in part by CityWide Development Corporation, HAALO, Montgomery County Juvenile Court, Hospice of Dayton, K12 Gallery & TEJAS, National Aviation Heritage Area, Primed Physicians, Public Health Dayton & Montgomery County, Texas Beef & Cattle Co., Wright Dunbar, Inc., Wright-Patt Credit Union, and Zik’s Family Pharmacy and Home Medical Equipment.

 

Dayton Region Walk of Fame Accepting Nominations

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Wright Dunbar, Inc. announces that 2016 Dayton Region Walk of Fame nomination forms are now available online at www.daytonregionswalkoffame.org. Paper nomination forms are also available at the Wright Dunbar, Inc. office, 1105 West Third Street, Dayton, OH 45402. Nominations must be typed and received by noon on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 online or in the Wright Dunbar office. 

Individuals or groups from the Dayton region or who have spent a significant amount of time in the region and have made an enduring impact on the local community, the region, the nation and/or world are eligible for nomination. Arts/Culture, Aviation, Business/Corporate Leaders, Community Service, Education, Entertainment/Media, Environment, Government/Military, Invention/Innovation, Law, Medicine, Philanthropy, Science, Significant Personal Achievement and Sports are the categories highlighted.

 

Last year’s honorees were Nancy Cartwright, Dr. Martin Delany, Donald (Don) J. Donoher, Harold (Hal) McCoy, Bette Rogge Morse, Robert (Bob) P. Ross and Norma Ross, Dr. Benjamin Schuster and Marians Schuster and General Janet Wolfenbarger. A list of past inductees is available at www.daytonregionswalkoffame.org.

History Comes Alive at Wright Dunbar Street Party

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Walk2 CollageOn Friday, May 13th from 5-9pm, watch the Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame come alive with Walk the Walk; a showcase featuring Walk of Fame inductees, historians, and family representatives. This street party allows visitors to learn from some of the outstanding individuals and groups who have contributed to the greatness of our region. Third Street will be shut down between Williams & Broadway so visitors can walk along West Third Street and interact with these individuals at their respective memorial stones.

Entertainment  hosted by Dayton.com’s Amelia Robinson
5:00pm – Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Principal String Quartet
5:30pm – Gem City Chorus
6:45pm – New Honorees Introduced
7:00pm – live music by Vibe 5
7:45pm – Heads or Tales Raffle for VIP tickets to Patti LaBelle at Rose Music Center
8:00pm – 2nd set from Vibe 5

Food trucks including Zombie Dogz, Go Cupcake, Carvaso’s Mexican Fusian, and Graeter’s Ice Cream will be on hand along with adult beverages from Heidelberg. A brand new Wright Dunbar business, Texas Beer and Cattle Company, will be open and giving tours and opportunities for the public to become co-op owners in the business. Wright-Dunbar, Inc. encourages visitors to bring lawn chairs.13001234_243203109363771_8371651310186425778_n

Additionally, Wright-Dunbar, Inc. will announce the 2016 Walk of Fame honorees at the event. These honorees will be inducted into the Walk of Fame at a Luncheon Ceremony on September 22nd at Sinclair’s Ponitz Center.

Since its inception in 1996 as part of the City of Dayton’s Bicentennial Celebration, the Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame has recognized 156 outstanding individuals and groups for their enduring personal or professional contributions to the community, nation, and the world.

In 2003 the Walk of Fame was moved from the Dayton International Airport to the Wright-Dunbar Historic District and is now managed and supported by Wright Dunbar, Inc. Granite pavers are located on the sidewalks on both sides of West Third Street between Shannon and Broadway Streets and on Williams Street.