Pride Awards 2020 WILL HONOR DR. OPHELIA GARMON-BROWN
Charlotte’s African American history is often understated, undervalued and underexposed. Yet, our city continues to draw attention nationally as being one of the best places for Blacks to live and work. That’s one of the reasons we have chosen to enlighten our Pride Awards 2020 attendees about the historical significance and some of the outstanding contributions African Americans have made to make Charlotte the great city that it is today. For example, did you know that our Mecklenburg
County seal was designed by an African American named Harvey Boyd who worked for the Charlotte Observer? The Pride Awards luncheon during Black History month on Friday, February 14, in many regards will be an extension of our November “Living with Pride” issue, which was a special edition on “Remarkable Black Charlotte,” sponsored by Novant Health. This unique publication gives the reader a synopsis of Charlotte’s black history from slavery onward, spotlighting the struggle, resilience and fortitude of a people who have continued to press on.
The luncheon will also be a unique experience aimed at motivating us individually, corporately and as a community. We will celebrate some of our “wins,” as we strive to move the socioeconomic needle upward, while drawing inspiration from this year’s prestigious honoree, Dr. Ophelia Garmon-Brown. Dr. OGB, as she is fondly called at Novant Health, was a leading catalyst in mobilizing our city’s efforts to create pathways of opportunity for all of Charlotte’s citizens. In addition, we will shine the spotlight and draw inspiration from some of our other “living” legends, including Harvey Gantt, Rolfe Neill, Mayor Vi Lyles, Thereasea Elder, Dorothy Counts-Scoggins and a few more. And of course, as in previous years, we’ll honor an outstanding nonprofit. Underwritten by Wells Fargo, ASPIRE COMMUNITY CAPITAL will receive our 2020 monetary donation for its invaluable commitment to empowering underserved individuals through entrepreneurial training, programming and access to capital. Our theme, “PEP RALLY,” is about people empowering people. It’s about sharing our victories as a community. It’s about showcasing some of our successes as we continue our efforts to provide more positive socioeconomic outcomes for everyone in the areas of affordable housing, healthcare, education entrepreneurship and more. We want a diverse audience to join us at the luncheon for a celebratory, cultural experience that will inform, enlighten, and motivate us all. Game on!
Ophelia Garmon-Brown, MD, is a very accomplished woman with many gifts and talents. She is a physician, a minister, a volunteer, a leader – these are just a few of the hats that she wears on a daily basis. But most of all, Dr. Garmon-Brown is a caregiver and advocate for the health and well-being of Charlotte community members and beyond. In her current capacity as Chief Community Wellness and Health Equity Executive at Novant Health and as a board-certified family practitioner, she has touched the lives of thousands of patients from Charlotte to other countries in her work as a medical missionary. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Garmon-Brown received a bachelor’s degree in biology from North Carolina Central University and earned a medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She completed her residency in family medicine at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, where she was the first African-American female graduate of the residency program. After completing her residency, Dr. Garmon-Brown became a physician and partner of Metrolina Family Practice for six years. Her career path led her to a high level leadership role at the former Nalle Clinic, a multispecialty clinic, and Novant Health, where she has worked for more than 20 years. In addition to her work in the Charlotte region, she has traveled the globe as a medical missionary, delivering free care to people in need. In 2003, Dr. Garmon-Brown earned a Master’s of Divinity degree. She graduated from the Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education in 2007. Dr. Garmon-Brown is committed to serving the poor and uninsured. She was co-founder of the Charlotte Community Health Clinic, the first free clinic in Mecklenburg County designated as a Federally Qualified Health Clinic. She is the former Medical Director of the health clinic at Salvation Army’s shelter for women and children. She also volunteered at the Charlotte Pregnancy Care Center. She is the first African-American elected president of the Mecklenburg County Medical Society. In her capacity as the Chief Community Wellness and Health Equity Executive, she works with her counterpart at Atrium Health to help create ONE Charlotte Health Alliance, which has begun providing mental health, dental and primary care through two mobile health units in underserved areas of the city. Dr. Garmon-Brown has served or currently serves as a board member or trustee for several professional, civic and business organizations. She has also received numerous awards for her dedication and commitment to serving the community. Most recently, she received the Charlotte Post Foundation’s 2019 Luminary Award. In 2018, she was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest honor the state of North Carolina can give to a civilian. Recipients of this award are chosen based on their contributions to their community, extraordinary careers and many years of service. Dr. Garmon-Brown has two children, LaShawn and Spenser, and she is the very proud grandmother of Ezekiel, Elaya and Emmanuel.
Meet Our Nonprofit Recipient ASPIRE Community Capital Underwritten by Wells Fargo, ASPIRE Community Capital will receive this year’s Pride Awards monetary donation. This organization is relentlessly committed to helping business owners in under-resourced neighborhoods in the Greater Charlotte area take full advantage of the American dream. Led by CEO Manuel Campbell, ASPIRE’s goal is to help people understand how to build successful businesses in their own neighborhoods by providing them with critical resources needed for start-up and success. From training, to mentorship and coaching, to accessing loans and other capital resources, ASPIRE helps create financial security and sustainable healthy communities through entrepreneurship. Aspire’s Academy provides a 12-week business training course through which entrepreneurs are taught business basics such as budgeting, marketing and finance, while their Accelerator program offers in-depth, one-on-one consulting along with providing business development resources to strengthen and grow the participant’s business.
Media Contact: Nepherterra Estrada Best Pride Public Relations O 704-375-9553 C 414.704.9932 neph@pridecommunications.net www.prideawards.net
Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst (Photo: Miss Universe Organization)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MISS USA 2019 CHESLIE KRYST TO MAKE A SPECIAL APPEARANCE AT PRIDE AWARDS 2020 Charlotte, NC – Jan. 27, 2020-- Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst will make a special appearance at the 2020 PRIDE AWARDS luncheon on Friday, Feb. 14 at the Westin Charlotte. Cheslie will give a pep talk to attendees at the black history inspired luncheon which is themed, “PEP RALLY” (People Empowering People). “We are thrilled to have Cheslie at this year’s event,” stated Dee Dixon, President and CEO of Pride Communications. “Many do not know she competed three times before winning a local title. Her winning mindset and determination will inspire the entire community.” Cheslie was crowned Miss USA in May 2019, and was the third woman from North Carolina to win the competition. A complex litigation attorney who is passionate about criminal justice reform, she worked pro bono with clients serving excessive time for low-level drug offenses. Cheslie also worked closely with Dress for Success Charlotte, and has recently been named a correspondent for the nationally broadcast entertainment news show Extra. In addition to Cheslie’s appearance, the luncheon will honor Dr. Ophelia Garmon-Brown, and shine the spotlight on other Charlotte “living legends” including Harvey Gantt, Rolfe Neill, Dorothy Counts-Scoggins, James Ferguson, II, Thereasea Elder, and Mayor Vi Lyles. Current sponsors include Atrium Health, Bank of America, Ernst & Young, Food Lion, Northeastern University, Novant, Lowe’s, US Bank, Wells Fargo, V101.9 and WCNC Charlotte. Log on to PrideAwards.net to reserve tables or tickets, or call 704-375-9553 for more information.