View our 2025 Event!
BLACK: Past. Present. Future.
Thank you for joining us on Wednesday, February 5 for Lifeline of Ohio’s observance of hope, celebration and recognition in honor of Black History Month.
The event honored the legacy of Kathy Espy, a powerful community leader and diversity, equity and inclusion advocate, as well as our partners who make our work possible. The NPHC (National Pan Hellenic Council) choir will also be performing.
Thank you to Trinity Baptist Church for hosting this event.
Legacy Spotlight - Kathy Espy
In addition to her success and contributions to MCCN, she served on several boards, including the YWCA, which created the Kathy Duffy Espy Leadership for Social Change program and wrote, “Kathy was integral to YWCA’s growth in Columbus through her volunteering, board leadership and advocacy.” She was also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and the Columbus (OH) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.
A Central Ohio icon whose legacy and impact remains, Kathy passed away on January 13, 2022.
We are humbled to honor her through this year’s program.
Future Spotlight - Made for Medicine
According to the AAMC 2019 Diversity in Medicine Facts and Figures report, African Americans make up only 5% of U.S. physician workforce, therefore, Made for Medicine serves as a programmatic solution to redress the underrepresentation of African Americans in the medical field. Made for Medicine is designed to support African American or Black middle and high school students with an interest in the field of medicine by providing them with critical foundational knowledge, hands-on learning, simulations, case study analyses, mentoring and more.
Featured Performances
NPHC Choir
The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Incorporated (NPHC) Choir is comprised of members of local chapters of The National Panhellenic Council of Columbus. Under the direction of Carol Ware, the choir was formed in 2023 to further expand the collaboration and unity of the Divine 9 throughout the community.
Black Lives Matter
African Americans are disproportionately affected by inequities that reduce access to healthcare and illness, often leading to organ failure. Lifeline of Ohio recognizes that before we can empower the Black community to save and heal others through organ, eye and tissue donation, we must first acknowledge their pain, cultivate trust, provide support and deliver resources to improve their overall health and wellness.