my favorite things

MY FAVORITE THINGS: Kim Henderson

by Ebony L. Morman

Kim Henderson, system chief of staff at Novant Health, is passionate about community, serving on the Charlotte board of the American Heart Association, as a trustee on the board of The Fletcher School and as executive in residence for the McColl School of Business at Queens University of Charlotte.

An active arts supporter, Henderson will participate in the Charlotte Ballet’s Dancing With the Stars fundraiser on March 5. Her performance with dance partner Maurice Mouzon Jr. is dedicated to honoring Dr. Ophelia Garmon-Brown, the beloved physician and community leader who died in November after battling cancer. Half of Henderson’s fundraising total will go to the Charlotte Ballet, and the other half will go to the Health Equity Fund at Novant Health Foundation. The fund helps ensure patients from underserved communities get the health care they need.

Comments have been edited for length and clarity.

DINING OUT

I love BrickTop’s. One of my all time favorite things is their guacamole — I think they have the best guacamole in town. Another place that I really like is Little Mama’s. I love the ambience. It’s quaint, and I love the menu and atmosphere.

FAVORITE PLACE

I have a goldendoodle, Simba, and a Bernedoodle, Annie. I love going to Freedom Park with my dogs, and my daughter plays soccer there. I like walking through the park because I try to get at least 10,000 steps each day. It’s just so beautiful and peaceful. I also enjoy eating lunch there.

LOCAL ARTS

My favorite thing is the Charlotte Ballet. I’m a huge arts supporter. I served on the Arts & Science Council board for six years in Charlotte. I served on the Discovery Place and Bechtler Museum of Modern Art boards. It’s a privilege now to raise awareness and funds for the Charlotte Ballet because the dancers are amazing and talented. I did ballet until seventh grade, and the only thing I really remember is a pink tutu. But my [Dancing with the Stars] dance partner, Maurice, is absolutely phenomenal. In the short time that we have been paired, I have an even better appreciation for how the dancers prepare. The one word that comes to mind is discipline. I am in complete awe of these professional dancers.

Kim Henderson, right, is one of seven community leaders competing in the Charlotte Ballet's Dancing With the Stars fundraiser at Knight Theater on March 5. She's pictured here with her dance partner, Maurice Mouzon Jr.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

I like to be outside in beautiful surroundings. I like to play golf because I can see the beautiful landscape. I also snow ski. I just got back from Colorado. I was skiing in Vail and Beaver Creek. I loved everything about being out in those mountains and the fresh air.

SHOPPING

I have a 12-year-old who’s going on 13, and we frequent SouthPark Mall often. Some of our hot spots right now would be Altar’d State and Lululemon. We really like shopping. What’s great is that there’s such great variety, everything from casual to evening gowns and what you would need for a black-tie event. It is like onestop shopping.

TREATS

All my friends would say, “ Kim, you love peanut M&M’s. ” Everyone knows that about me. When people come to meetings, they bring me a bag of peanut M&M’s. I’m like, how did word get out? My friend says, “ Kim, you can sustain yourself on peanut M&M’s.”

TRAVEL

My favorite place to travel is Kiawah Island because of its wide beaches. We go a couple of times each year. It’s just beautiful ... I love when you drive into the island and the moss is hanging from the trees. SP

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