NotableNames

By Ryan Kouame

Latoya Simms

LaToya Simms was recently hired as director of the Canopy Real Estate Institute (CREI,) bringing more than 20 years of experience with the North Carolina Real Estate Commission. In her new role, she is responsible for day-to-day operations and management of the institute, including prelicensing, post-licensing and continuing education courses, as well as the National Association of Realtors® designation classes and certification courses.

During the pandemic, Simms helped multiple real estate schools transition to virtual classes where she taught virtual continuing education and professional development and training courses throughout the state. Her background in real estate education and licensing has contributed to enhancing CREI’s reputation as a quality provider of affordable real estate education and has been instrumental in building CREI’s digital campus launching in 2023. She is also in charge of continuing the expansion of the institute’s technology tools and resources to strengthen CREI’s online and virtual offerings.

Walter Suggs

Band director and gospel jazz artist Walter Suggs is the recipient of this year’s Manilow Music Project Music Teacher Award for his impact at the Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology. The award is presented by music icon Barry Manilow to a teacher who is helping to keep music alive in every city where Manilow performs.

The Manilow Music Project supports music education through donations, grants and scholarships to schools and universities throughout the United States. Suggs was nominated as deserving by the CharlotteMecklenburg School Board and the Spectrum Center as a deserving teacher from the area. The award consists of a $5,000 cash prize for the winning recipient, $5,000 for the school’s music department and VIP tickets to the performance where he will be presented with the award backstage.

Suggs earned his master’s degree from Winthrop University and his bachelor’s degree in music education from North Carolina Central University.

Peggy Harris

Congratulations to Peggy Harris, regional chief diversity officer at Atrium Health, for being recognized as a 2022 Atrium Health Pinnacle Award Honoree and being named on Becker’s Hospital Review List of 40 Health System Diversity and Inclusion Executives To Know. These awards honor and highlight leaders who have led successful transformations and created an environment of positive change within their organizations.

Harris began her career with Atrium Health in nursing. She later became an administrative leader in diversity, equity and inclusion. In her current role, she works tirelessly to ensure there is fair representation among colleagues, suppliers and leadership. She also serves on the board of directors of the Institute for Diversity in Health Management and is chair of the American Leadership Council for Diversity in Healthcare. Her advocacy for the many voiceless people within the health system has deeply impacted patients, colleagues and the communities that Atrium Health serves.

Tameka Gunn

Tameka Gunn is the new president and CEO of Community Link, a nonprofit that enables individuals and families to obtain and sustain safe, decent and affordable housing. Gunn joined the organization in 2007 as a housing coordinator and over time has worked in all of Community Link’s Homeless to Housing services, including program director for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, a free tax preparation service for lower-income clients.

“I’m thrilled to assume leadership of Community Link at a critical time for affordable housing in our city and region,” Gunn said. “I hope to build upon the legacy of my mentor Floyd Davis, with support from our tremendous team of social workers and other staff.”

Gunn’s goals include expanding Community Link’s homeownership programs in collaboration with other social service nonprofits in the region and raising awareness of Community Link in all the counties it serves. P

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