Notable Names

By Ryan Kouame

RORY D. SHERIFF

Author, playwright, producer and director, Rory D. Sheriff was recently named Best Director and Theatre Person of the Year at the Metrolina Theatre Awards. His production company, Brand New Sheriff (BNS) Productions, also won eight awards for “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” including best set design, best costume designer, best supporting male, best supporting female and best production.

Sheriff’s journey began with an ear for fine literature and a love for bringing people together. Penning and performing works of poetry and spoken word, he eventually donned the title of an author with the release of his first novel, “Get’n Serious: My Addiction,” and the screenplay-turned-stage play, “Be a Lion.”

Nine seasons and many awards later, BNS Productions has become the premiere African American theatre company in the greater Charlotte area. Their purpose is to educate and represent Black excellence and raise awareness of the social and cultural issues that make up our experience.

Photo courtesy of Rory D. Sheriff

DANIELLE BELTON

Congratulations to Danielle Belton, principal of Paw Creek Elementary School, for being named the 2022-2023 CharlotteMecklenburg Schools Principal of the Year. Belton began her career in education 18 years ago as an English teacher at Garinger High School and is now in her ninth year as a principal at Paw Creek.

“Being the principal of Paw Creek Elementary School is such an awarding experience. It brings me so much joy and fulfillment to serve the hardest working staff and the most loving, kind, and smartest students around. I am truly blessed,” Belton said.

Belton earned her master’s degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in English from Johnson C. Smith University. She is also a member of the Alpha Lambda Omega (ALO) Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority where she serves on various education committees and the ALO Board of Directors.

Photo courtesy of Danielle Belton CANDICE JOHNSON

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. – Queen City Metropolitan Chapter (NCBW-QCMC) elected Candice Johnson as its new president. Johnson has been a member since 2014 and has served in many roles both locally and nationally.

Johnson is a licensed esthetician, mentor, educator, co-founder of The Charlotte Esthetics Network Group and full-time entrepreneur with decades of professional experience. She studied business and accounting in her hometown at The State University of New York at Buffalo before relocating to Charlotte to continue her career in banking. After discovering her love for esthetics, she decided to pivot into the beauty industry and established CJ Wax Studio, a full-body waxing and skin care business in 2011.

“I am excited about being the president of the NCBWQCMC,” said Johnson. “The women I have the pleasure of working with within this organization all have different backgrounds and are multi-faceted with one mission – to be change agents and advocates for Black women and girls.”

Photo credit: Ebony Stubbs/Rae Images

STEVE CRUMP

Charlotte broadcaster and documentary filmmaker Steve Crump was selected by North Carolina Humanities to receive the 2022 John Tyler Caldwell Award for the Humanities dedicated to honoring individuals who have strengthened the educational, cultural and civic life of North Carolinians.

“It is extraordinarily humbling to realize that the community values the work we do and, in many ways, it provides affirmation and inspiration to continue moving forward,” said Crump.

Crump has been a reporter at WBTV for nearly four decades. Many of his documentaries have been showcased by the Smithsonian and recognized by the Library of Congress and the Museum of Broadcast Communications. His productions are viewed as vital to the Carolinas’ historical record and are even held as permanent collections at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) and the University of South Carolina.

A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Crump grew up blocks away from the industrial Smoketown district near the Louisville Slugger factory and the gym where Muhammad Ali learned to box. He earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from Eastern Kentucky University and moved to Charlotte in the 1980s.

Photo courtesy of Steve Crump