Missy Spears isn’t just an advocate — she’s a force. Whether she’s rallying for LGBTQ+ rights, amplifying marginalized voices or speaking out against discrimination, Spears brings an unwavering passion to the fight for equality. Though she’s been part of numerous organizations dedicated to helping others throughout her career (in her own words, “half of the projects on my resume are because I got mad and just did something”), Spears’ latest contribution to the area is incredibly special. Spears is the executive director of Queer Kentucky, a publication and storytelling platform that “enhances Queer culture and health through storytelling, education, and action.” When you’re feeling especially down about the state of the world, it’s nice to be reminded that people like Spears are actively fighting for marginalized voices. 

1. JD Vance
2. Liz Keating
3. Joe Deters

1. 3CDC
2. Al Neyer
3. Over-the-Rhine Community Housing

1. Matthew 25: Ministries
2. Longbottom Bird Ranch
3. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
4. La Soupe
5. ArtWorks Ohio
6. Innocence Project
7. Life Food Pantry
8. ArtsWave
9. The Friends of the Public Library
10. Aubrey Rose Foundation

1. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
2. Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub
3. Longbottom Bird Ranch
4. Great Parks of Hamilton County
5. Cincinnati Parks
6. Keep Cincinnati Beautiful
7. Krohn Conservatory
8. Cincinnati Nature Center
9. Indigo Hippo
10. The Friends of the Public Library

1. Bob Herzog (WKRC)
2. Jessica Schmidt (FOX19)
3. Megan Mitchell (WLWT)
4. Tana Weingartner (WVXU)
5. Lucy May (WVXU)
6. Tricia Mackie (FOX19)
7. John Matarese (WCPO)
8. Keith Pandolfi (Cincinnati Enquirer)
9. Nick Swartsell (WVXU)
10. Becca Costello (WVXU)

1. Jimmy Longbottom
2. Jim Tarbell
3. Missy Spears

1. Cincinnati Animal CARE
2. Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio
3. Longbottom Bird Ranch
4. Matthew 25: Ministries
5. Freestore Foodbank
6. SPCA Cincinnati
7. ArtWorks
8. Cincinnati Public Radio
9. Aubrey Rose Foundation
10. ArtsWave

1. Aftab Pureval
2. Greg Landsman
3. Charmaine McGuffey

1. Cincinnati's Crime Vault: Beyond the Broadcast
2. Cincinnati Zoo Tales
3. Jungle Jim's Podcast

1. University of Cincinnati
2. Xavier University
3. Northern Kentucky University

1. George Clooney
2. Nick Clooney
3. Maryanne Zeleznik
4. Kathrine Nero
5. Missy Spears
6. Cris Collinsworth
7. Otto M. Budig Jr.
8. Amy McGrath
9. Gary Holland
10. Lucy May

1. Covington
2. Newport
3. Union

1. Smale Riverfront Park
2. Eden Park
3. Ault Park
4. Washington Park
5. Devou Park
6. French Park
7. Mt. Airy Forest
8. Alms Park
9. A. J. Jolly Park
10. Bellevue Beach Park

1. Cincinnati Nature Center
2. Sharon Woods
3. Winton Woods

1. Anthony Munoz
2. Bootsy Collins
3. James “Jungle Jim” Bonaminio

1. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
2. Findlay Market
3. Jungle Jim's International Market
4. Over-the-Rhine
5. Smale Riverfront Park
6. The Banks
7. Cincinnati Art Museum
8. Cincinnati Reds Game
9. Cincinnati Museum Center
10. The Friends of the Public Library Warehouse

1. Smale Riverfront Park
2. Washington Park
3. Parky's Farm

1. Cincinnati Waldorf School
2. Elder High School
3. Saint Xavier High School

1. Aftab Pureval
2. Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney
3. Kari Bloom