Toledo-based educational media organization Midstory received an Ignite Grant from Ohio Humanities in 2022 for Asian in Ohio, which collected, documented and profiled the experiences of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) individuals. The stories of these Ohioans addressed the nuances of seeking to achieve the American Dream —from first generation AAPI immigrants to second-generation descendants. The project includes an interactive web gallery of Asian American individuals who have made Ohio their home. This gallery acts as an open archive depicting their side of the American story. The project invites the audience into a dialogue around how each of us seeks to connect with and relate to one another.

Willis “Bing” Davis is an African American artist, educator and community activist from Dayton whose artwork incorporates a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, clay, and found object art, and is known for its incorporation of African and African American themes. His art often explores the intersection of race, identity, and history, as well as the power of community and collective action. His work has been featured in public and private collections alike from the United States. Davis' EbonNia Gallery in Dayton, Ohio, showcases the work of many types of artists and serves as a community gathering place.

Cathy Nelson served as an educator with Columbus City Schools for over 36 years and as a board member and volunteer for numerous organizations including the Columbus Landmarks Foundation, the Columbus Historical Society, Kelton House, the Livingston House, the Ohio Hill Country Heritage Area Advisory Council, and the Ohio Historic Site Preservation Advisory Board. Nelson was one of the nation's premier Underground Railroad scholars. Her extensive research and leadership of the Friends of Freedom Society won her numerous awards and accolades, and she testified in Congress on behalf of the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1997. 

Doreen Uhas Sauer is a former board member and president of Columbus Landmarks Foundation. A longtime educator, she was the first Columbus Public Schools teacher to win Ohio's Teacher of the Year award in 2003. She has served on a number of boards in Columbus' University District neighborhood and chaired the University Area Commission. Doreen is known for her work around local history, historic preservation, urban issues, and partnerships with organizations such as the Columbus Metropolitan Library, Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center, and the Ohio State University. She has written several books and worked extensively in international civic education, including directing the Annenberg Civic Education Initiative.

Congressman Mike Carey represents Ohio’s 15th district, which includes Madison County and parts of Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Miami and Shelby counties. An avid supporter of the humanities, he earned his history degree from The Ohio State University and is a former military officer.

For his leadership as Co-Chair of the Congressional Humanities Caucus and among the Ohio delegation, Ohio Humanities is honored to recognize Congressman Carey as the 2025 Humanities Hero, an award presented periodically to an elected or community leader for outstanding effort to promote the public humanities in Ohio.