Annual Gala

Event Highlights and Information

The 8th Annual Igniting Future Leaders Gala is Guiding Light's largest annual fundraising event honoring individuals for their outstanding commitment to young people. This year, we are celebrating 11 years of service! This special night celebrates and spotlights the outstanding work of our young people and volunteers and the success they have achieved in our programs and services. We feature a seated dinner, an awards and scholarship ceremony, a silent and live auction, and a keynote speaker. All funds raised from Igniting Future Leaders go towards supporting young people in the various programs we offer. Each year, Guiding Light Mentoring's Igniting Future Leaders Gala welcomes new sponsors and in-kind donors who share in our mission of providing positive activities to local youth. As a sponsor, your support allows young people to learn, grow and develop healthy lifestyles within a safe, nurturing environment. Your generous donation will give us sufficient funds to continue our GREAT work with the children and families who count on us every day. Your sponsorship will help open the door to a GREAT FUTURE for a young person who without your help may have never had an opportunity to attend our programs.

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Featured Guests

Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney

Gala Event Chair

Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney was born in Cincinnati and is a proud graduate of Cincinnati Public Schools: Rockdale Elementary School and Walnut Hills High School. She graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, and did an exchange program at Talladega College, an HBCU. She earned a master’s degree in psychology from Harvard University and a law degree from Harvard Law School, where she was elected first class marshal of her law school class and gave the commencement speech at graduation.

She owns a multi-media publishing company, Sesh Communications, that includes ownership of the award-winning The Cincinnati Herald newspaper.

She was appointed to Cincinnati City Council in 2020, and then elected in the 2021 election. Mayor Aftab Pureval appointed Jan-Michele Vice Mayor, chair of the Healthy Neighborhoods Committee, and vice chair of Public Safety and Governance. She is an active volunteer in many organizations including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The Cincinnati Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, NAACP, YWCA, the Cincinnati Zoo Board, and Via Character.

She is married to former Ohio State Senator and Minority Leader Eric H. Kearney. They are blessed with two children, Celeste and Asher.

Winning an Olympic gold medal in Beijing, China with the 2008 U.S. Women’s Track and Field team in the 4 x 400-meter relay was the culmination of years of extraordinary challenges, dedication and accomplishments for Mary Wineberg. Once an Olympian, Always an Olympian, Never Former, Never Past. That triumph opened the way for her new calling as a passionate champion in education, advocate for literacy and physical movement, personal motivator, founder of Secure Your Gold, and an enthusiastic leader. Her story of overcoming tremendous hardships and long odds early in life to reach the pinnacle in her sport has connected thousands through her public speaking and community engagements. Mary serves on several boards and is active in many organizations. Mary taught 2nd grade for over 10 years, enjoyed the profession and when she left the field, she knew she would stay involved, thus starting RISE UP and MOVE initiatives within her business. Mary has published two books, one an autobiography called “Unwavering Perseverance an Olympic Gold Medalist Finds Peace”, and her recent children’s book “I Didn’t Win.” Mary resides in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband and two daughters. She hopes to leave all feeling inspired and knowing that no matter what, you can Overcome Challenges and Secure Your Gold!

Courtis Fuller is a Hall of Fame broadcast journalist with a career spanning nearly 44 years, most of which he spent as a news anchor for WLWT-TV in Cincinnati. In 2023, he was inducted into the inaugural class of the WLWT Hall of Fame and is a multi-Emmy award winner. In 2021, he was honored with induction into the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Silver Circle for his contributions to the industry and community over 25 years. He has also been recognized by various professional organizations and inducted into several journalism Hall of Fame.

Fuller’s community leadership has extended beyond journalism. In 2001, he stepped away from broadcasting to run for mayor of Cincinnati, winning the primary election and receiving 45% of the general election vote. His activism includes leading efforts to honor Jackie Robinson's Major League Baseball anniversary and renaming a city street in memory of a high school honor student. Additionally, he created and produced an eight-day Cincinnati Jazz and Heritage Festival. He returned to WLWT-TV in 2003 and continues to host major civic and cultural events.

Fuller serves on advisory boards for the Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation and the Cincinnati Opera, with prior board positions including the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the National Association of Black Journalists. A scholarship was established in his name in 2010 to support aspiring young journalists. His dedication to the community has been recognized by numerous awards, including a Cincinnati City Council resolution and the YMCA Legend Award.