Dayton Walk of Fame

06/19/2026

Gary Sandy
Born on Christmas Day, 1945, in Dayton, Ohio, Gary Lee Sandy grew up in nearby Kettering and attended Fairmont High School before pursuing his passion for performance at Wilmington College of Ohio and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. He is beloved by audiences nationwide as Andy Travis, the program director of the fictional WKRP radio station in the classic CBS sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati (1978–1982) — a role that brought Dayton’s neighboring city to living rooms across America. A prolific and dedicated stage actor, Sandy has appeared in more than 100 theatrical productions, including Broadway roles in The Pirates of Penzance and Arsenic and Old Lace, and has played Harold Hill in seven separate productions of The Music Man. In 2024, he returned to his roots in a local television special filmed at Dayton’s own Carillon Historical Park, A Very Carillon Christmas, which earned an Ohio Valley Regional Emmy Award.

06/18/2026

MaDonna Grimes
Raised in Dayton, Ohio, MaDonna DeAnne Grimes carried the spirit of her hometown to stages and screens around the world. A 1984 graduate of Ohio State University’s dance program, she built a celebrated career in Hollywood as a dancer, choreographer, fitness expert, and actress — earning the title “Queen of Fitness, Dance and Hip-Hop.” She founded the MaDonna Grimes Fitness Dance Theatre Company in Los Angeles and claimed championship titles including Miss Fitness America, Miss Fitness International, and USA National Aerobics Champion. Her bestselling fitness videos and DVDs introduced millions to hip-hop dance, and her NAACP Best Choreography Theater Award recognized her artistry on stage. MaDonna Grimes passed away in November 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of joy, movement, and inspiration.

06/15/2026

Helen Octavia Dickens - 2026 Dayton Walk of Fame Inductee

Born in Dayton, Ohio, on February 21, 1909, Dr. Helen Octavia Dickens broke barriers throughout a distinguished medical career dedicated to health equity and women’s reproductive care. The daughter of a formerly enslaved father and a domestic worker, she earned her M.D. from the University of Illinois in 1934 as the only African American woman in her class. In 1950, she became the first African American woman admitted as a Fellow to the American College of Surgeons — a landmark achievement in the history of medicine. As a professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Dr. Dickens pioneered cancer screening programs for underserved Black women, founded one of the country’s first teen pregnancy clinics, and served as associate dean of minority admissions, growing enrollment of minority students from just two to sixty-four. Her legacy of healing, advocacy, and access continues to resonate in medical institutions and communities across the nation.

06/11/2026

Congratulations to the 2026 Dayton Region Walk of Fame Inductees

Wright Dunbar, Inc. announced the 2026 class of Dayton Region Walk of Fame inductees.

05/12/2026

Did you know that there is a map with the location of all the current Walk of Fame Stones?

05/10/2026

05/09/2026

https://www.wdbd.org/inductee-profiles/ralph-and-christine-dull

Christine Dull, sadly passed away this past Sunday. Her Walk of Fame stone can be found on W 3rd St. In front of ZIKS! Please keep her family in your prayers!

Along with her husband Ralph, Christine Dull has dedicated her life to helping the cause of peace around the world. She and her husband founded the International Peace Museum here in Dayton. She has been recognized for her work by the National Conference for Community and Justice, and received the A...

04/27/2026

Today, we pause to honor the legacy of Mrs. Ross—whose impact continues to shape our community through the work of the Norma J. Ross Memorial Foundation. 💗

At Bob Ross Auto Group, we’re proud to support a mission that’s centered on awareness, early detection, and showing up for others.

If this message resonates, consider sharing it or starting a conversation with someone you care about breast health. Sometimes, that’s where it all begins!