7:00 p.m. Program
8:30 p.m. Dinner
9:00 p.m. Book Signing
10:00 p.m. Event Concludes
Colson Whitehead is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Underground Railroad, The Noble Hustle, Zone One, Sag Harbor, The Intuitionist, John Henry Days, Apex Hides the Hurt and The Colossus of New York, a collection of essays. His bestseller The Nickel Boys won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. His latest novels are Harlem Shuffle and Crook Manifesto.
He has taught at the University of Houston, Columbia University, Brooklyn College, Hunter College, New York University, Princeton University, Wesleyan University, and been a Writer-in-Residence at Vassar College, the University of Richmond and the University of Wyoming. He lives in New York City.
Whitehead’s talent stretches across genres proving that the power of story and the value of reading expands our world and our understanding. We look forward to celebrating with you this year.
Announcing the 2022 Awardees and Honorary Chairs
Tom Dillard
Tom Dillard is a powerful testament to the impact one individual can have. As a social worker and community activist, Dillard leveraged his education, experience and unwavering commitment to public service to bring about positive change in Columbus. His upbringing, steeped in African American culture and values, combined with his mother’s love of stories like The Little Red Hen and The Little Engine That Could, ignited his determined spirit. With this spirit, he pursued an impressive education from Muskingum University and Case Western equipping him with the knowledge and skills to effect real change.
What sets Dillard apart is his ability to bridge the gap between needs and available resources. In particular, he has linked projects and programs to Columbus Metropolitan Library resources helping to create a vibrant ecosystem of support and empowerment. His involvement with Columbus Metropolitan Library – as President of Friends of the Library, donor to the Martin Luther King Branch, event speaker, contributor of historical documents, workshop presenter and levy campaign volunteer – demonstrates his deep commitment to the library’s mission.
Dillard has dedicated his life to giving back serving as a champion for Columbus City Schools, founding trustee of the Near East Area Housing Board, representative of the Coalition of Concerned Black Citizens, current president of Thursday Lunch Club, and past president of Poindexter Foundation. His story is a compelling example of how leadership, when coupled with community resources like Columbus Metropolitan Library, can transform neighborhoods.
What advice does Tom have for us? Open to all, invite them in.
Jeff and Lisa Edwards
Lisa and Jeff Edwards are deeply committed to the Columbus community. Their dedication to professional and philanthropic endeavors reflects their commitment to making a positive impact on this community and beyond.
Lisa is an engaged community volunteer with her advocacy focused around education. She is a long-time board member at The Wellington School, from which three of their children have graduated and their fourth is a junior. She is also a past member of the Marburn Academy Board of Trustees.
Jeff is the President, Chairman and CEO of Installed Building Products (NYSE: “IBP”) and President of Edwards Companies. He is deeply involved in various business and charitable organizations. He has served as past President and now holds the title of Honorary Trustee at the Columbus Museum of Art. His leadership extends to the Salvation Army, where he is an Emeritus Member of its Advisory Board. He also is a board member for the following organizations: Battelle; Downtown Columbus, Inc.; The Columbus Foundation; and The Columbus Partnership, where he serves on its Executive Committee. Furthermore, Jeff is a member of The Policy Advisory Board at Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies.
Lisa and Jeff, together with the extended Edwards family, were integral to the Save the Crew effort and retain a small ownership position.
They are the proud parents of four children and recently relocated to a home in downtown Columbus.
Celebration of Learning Honorary Chairs
Veronica Meinhard and Kristina Johnson
Each year the Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation selects an individual or couple who have shown great appreciation and support for the important role of libraries in our community.
Elaina Biffle
Barbara Brandt
Laney Burgdoerfer
Mary Jo Conte
Sue Cooper
Barb Derrow
Marjorie Duffy
Scott Gaines
Diane Garland
DeeDee Glimcher
Tracy Harrison
Ali Haque
Charlotte Kessler
Megan Kilgore
Patrick King
Vicki Linville
Tanisha Lyon Brown
Jennifer Massanova
Jennifer McNally
Lauren Hilsheimer Meier
Amy Milbourne
Katharine Moore
Shannon Morgan
Corde Robinson
Robin Shockney
Renée Shumate
Barb Siemer
Hope Wolman
Chrissa Zonars
Frank Zonars
ABC 6/Fox 28/CW Columbus
AndHealth
BeecherHill
Bricker Graydon
Cameron Mitchell Premier Events
The Christopher Foundation
COTA
CoverMyMeds
Crane Group
Encova Insurance
Heidelberg Distributing Co.
M/I Homes Foundation
The New Albany Community Foundation
OCLC
PNC
The Robert Weiler Company
Thompson Hine LLP
The Worthington Companies Foundation
BakerHostetler
Buckeye Innovation
Columbus Partnership
Columbus State Community College
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Covelli
The Discover Brighter Futures Fund
Donatos
EMH&T
G&J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers, Inc.
GBQ Partners
GHH Advisors
High Bank Distillery Co.
Ice Miller LLP
IGS Energy
Insurance Office of Central Ohio
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Jones Day
Jonathan Barnes, Gensler
King Business Interiors
Master Kees Investments
Matrix Integrated Psychological Services, Inc.
Moody Nolan
NAI Ohio Equities
NBBJ
The New Albany Company
Northwest Bank
PwC
SHP
State Auto Insurance
Stifel Public Finance
Taft
Vorys, Sater, Seymour
and Pease LLP
White Castle System, Inc.
The Barbara W and Philip R Derrow Family Foundation
Linda and Frank Kass
Jennifer Massanova and Lou Von Thaer
Siemer Family Foundation
Tim and Marilu Faber
Sandra Doyle-Ahern and Michael Ahern
Charles and Rhonda Fraas
Donna and Larry James
Mary and Tom Katzenmeyer
The Redgrave Family
Colleen Nissl and Roger Sugarman
George Barrett
Delaney Burgdoerfer
Marjorie Duffy and Mike Gladman
DeeDee and Herb Glimcher
Nancy and Tom Lurie
Carly and Greg Miller
Deborah Neimeth
Corde Robinson
Paul L. Smith, Jr.
Jennifer and Ryan Swincicki
Bill Bartolini and Juan Saenz Ferreyros
John Behal and Jim Elliott
Lauren Bonfield and Steve Keyes
Tanisha and Donald Brown
Mary Jo Conte
Maria and Timothy Frommeyer
Kate and Scott Gaines
Carol Andreae and James Garland
Lisal and Don Gorman
Lauren Hagan and Jim Venetucci
Chrissy and Ryan Hand
Cindy and Larry Hilsheimer
Mary Lazarus
Victoria and Patrick Losinski
Ann and Ron Pizzuti
Anne and Bill Remias
Lane and John Rothschild
Lynne and Steve Smith
John L. Wirchanski
Donna and Lee Zuiderweg
Jane and Stan Ackley
Gladys Arbogast
Jeff Baker and Randy Arndt
Jennifer Baumann
Stephanie and Mark Bernhardt
Chief Chukwuemeka Bosah and Dr. Ngozi Osuagwu
Barbara and David Brandt
Sue Cooper
Debbie and Larry Corbus
Sally Crane Cox and Cary Cox
Faith Sisco and Charlie Dankworth
Jeff and Shandra Day
Gregg Dodd
Janet Druen
Christine and Tom Farquhar
Shayla and Corey Favor
Joanne and David Frantz
Diane Garland
Susan and Bill Gillam
Joy and Michael Gonsiorowski
Amanda and Charlie Hansen
Ali and Nadia Haque
Tracy and David Harrison
Rachel and Jim Heine
Phil and Sheryl Heit
Ann and Tom Hoaglin
Charlotte and Jack Kessler
Jennifer McNally and Megan Kilgore
Kelly Ruoff and Patrick King
Midge and Tally Krumm
Karen and John Larrimer, MD
Linda Larrimer and Hugh Westwater
Lexie and Trip Lazarus
Becky Leach-Seymour and Matthew Seymour
Karen Levin and David DiStefano
Vicki and Ron Linville
Lauren Hilsheimer Meier and John Meier
Amy and Bob Milbourne
Katharine Moore
Shannon and Tom Morgan
Jane P. Mykrantz
D. Scott Owens
Debra and Brian Pack
Nadine and Keith Pierce
Sue and Mark Real
Redd Family
Sarah and Mark Ryan
Kelly and Peyman Salehi
Teckie and Don Shackelford
Robin and Andy Shockney
Renée and Alex Shumate
Laura and Jay Simonds
Stewart Smith
Deanna and Steve Stewart
Nancy Strause
Susan Tomasky and Ronald Ungvarsky
Wendy Tressler
Janica Pierce Tucker
Magaly Borrero-Vázquez and Carlos Vázquez
Kathleen Murphy and Adam Wagenbach
Bobbie and Alan Weiler
Arlene and Michael Weiss
Toya and David White
Kathy and Alec Wightman
Kyatonna and Anthony Wilson
Nan Winslow
Holly and Steve Wittman
Hope and Jonathan Wolman
Frank and Chrissa Zonars
Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
96 S. Grant Ave. | Columbus, Ohio 43215
