Pride Awards 2016 will honor one outstanding man or woman and a high school senior who have overcome obstacles in order to move forward in life. This year’s monetary donation will be given to a nonprofit whose mission has been to create paths of upward mobility for many.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2016 The Westin Charlotte Black Tie Reception - 6PM Dinner and Awards - 7PM
Log on to www.prideawards.net to view the 2016 winners and for exciting updates.
Call 704-375-9553 to sponsor or reserve seating.
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Welcome to Pride Awards 2016!
Best, Dee Dixon Chief Executive Officer C
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Pride Awards 2016 Gala
Saturday, January 16 The Westin Charlotte, 601 S. College St.
Reception: 6PM
Dinner and Program: 7PM
Corporate Table: $1,800
Individual Tickets: $225 Emcee: Fred Shropshire, WCNC-TV
For Info Call Pride Magazine 704.375.9553
or visit WWW.PRIDEAWARDS.NET
Check Out Our
2016 Winners How frightening
Kasheena Townsend Pride Triumph Award
it must have been to see for twelve years— and then one day for that to change forever.
This is what happened to Kasheena Townsend. The same year Kasheena entered middle school she lost her eyesight through medical complications. It was overwhelming and life-changing. It was difficult for Kasheena to understand why this was happening to her. “At first I felt saddened and defeated…like I didn’t have any options” said Townsend.
It was through the support of her mother, sister and close friends who helped her adjust and embrace her new way of life. The first thing Townsend did was start working with a mobility coach to help her navigate her surroundings. In addition, she learned how to use a cane, read Braille and use specially-adapted computer software for the blind. With these tools and support, she began to thrive. She immersed herself in activities with others who were visually impaired, successfully graduated high school and got accepted to UNC Charlotte where she pursued a degree in Human Resources. In 2008, she interned with The Compass Group and upon the end of her internship she was offered a permanent position. Learn more about Kasheena
Asia McLean, a student at Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology has always been a good student but it was a conversation with Ms. Bonner, the school’s Career and Development Coordinator that made her think differently about success, her life and graduation. She said it was her wake-up call. After that discussion, McLean knew she needed to be very dedicated to become a successful student. Without delay, she developed a new mindset and created an action plan for successfully graduating high school. The difference could be seen immediately.
Asia McLean Youth Award Winner
McLean shows tremendous leadership and spirit of service through her involvement with the speech and debate team and by managing the marching band which included organizing and spearheading the Fall Pep Rally. Her schoolwork of reading rigorous college-level novels, taking timed writing exercises and participating in diverse literature projects allows her to use her critical thinking, problem solving and analytical skills. Learn more about Asia Visit WWW.PRIDEAWARDS.NET
Exodus Foundation.org
Pride Nonprofit “Paths out of Poverty” Award Roughly 700,000 people will return from prison this year in the United States. In Mecklenburg County alone, 1,200 will return to the community and 500 will revolve in and out of the jail system each week. It is the mission of Exodus Foundation to change these outcomes.
Dr. Madeline McClenney-Sadler, Ph.D
President/Founder
Exodus Foundation.org
Exodus Foundation was founded by Rev. Dr. Madeline McClenney-Sadler who has a passion for social justice. With over 25 years’ experience serving disenfranchised populations, she offers proven experience in reducing recidivism (rate of returning to prison) among many of our most marginalized citizens. Established in 1999, Exodus Foundation helps formally incarcerated men and women to transition back to society, prevent re-entry into the jail system and lead a life of success. They do this through mentoring, educational scholarships, strategic partnerships and critical wraparound services. Each client is given job readiness support and other critical tools and valuable insight to become productive citizens in the community. Learn more about the Exodus Foundation.org
Our Key Note Speaker that is committed to keeping the humanity in human resources. Her dedication was rewarded when she became the first African-American woman to own a billion-dollar business.
Janice Bryant Howroyd Keynote Speaker
Janice Bryant Howroyd, a North Carolina native left her hometown in 1976 armed with $900. Since then, she has dedicated her efforts to building an organization
In 1978, Howroyd founded ACT* 1 Group, an international enterprise that provides employment, workforce management, and procurement solutions to a broad range of Commercial, Fortune 500, and Government Communities. The company has grown into a multi-billion dollar award-winning, global provider of employment and talent management solutions nationally and internationally including in such areas as Brazil, Switzerland, Germany and the United States. Visit WWW.PRIDEAWARDS.NET
Thanks to Our Event Sponsors as of December 08, 2015.
SILVER SPONSORS BB&T
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated
Fifth Third Bank
Community Link
Rodgers McDonald’s Restaurant TABLE SPONSORS AT&T
Compass Group North America Extended Stay America Food Lion
Providence Day School Radio One Samaritan’s Feet Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. The ACT 1 Group TIAA-Cref African American Caribbean Employee Resource Group
Bank of America
Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont
Belk, Inc.
Johnson C. Smith University
Trinity Episcopal School
Carolina Panthers
LPL Financial
Wake Forest University
Carolinas Healthcare System
Mecklenburg County
Wells Fargo
Charlotte Country Day School
Neighboring Concepts
Winnye Wilks & CVMSDC
Charlotte Latin School
Perry’s at SouthPark
Time Warner Cable
Our Entertainment to sing along to Guitar and Harmonica. “Mother Blues” quickly grew into a dramatic and lovely singer/ entertainer. It is no surprise that Aretha Franklin and Etta James are two of her favorite singers. She is famous for singing jazz, blues and gospel. She earned the nick name Queen of Bourbon Street due to her many years of performing on the New Orleans’ Event Circuit and Bourbon Street. Pat “Mother Blues”Cohen
Pat “Mother Blues”Cohen has been surrounded by music since the age of 6. Her blues classroom was on the front porch of her Uncle’s house. There she learned
“Mother Blues” has performed worldwide throughout her career including making stellar performances on cruise lines. Off Beat magazine listed her as one of the Fantastic Four.
Visit WWW.PRIDEAWARDS.NET