3 minute read
SPOTLIGHT
photo by Kerri Allen/courtesy of North Carolina Coastal Federation
PADDLING FOR A CAUSE
A local sports club partnered with the North Carolina Coastal Federation for a 120-mile journey with the goal of advocating for a clean environment.
The Wrightsville Beach Outrigger Canoe Club (WBOCC) recently began its trip up the North Carolina coast as part of the project “We the Water.” On September 14, the crew began the first leg of the project, which is slated to run for three years with the goal of paddling the entire state coastline.
The initiative aims to advocate for clean water, empower local communities, and bring awareness of contamination.
“Outrigger canoeing is a connection to the water like no other,” says KERRI ALLEN, North Carolina Coastal Federation Southeast Regional Office Manager and WBOCC board member. “I cannot think of a better way to tell the story of our coast than from the bow of a canoe and how we can all make a difference in protecting and restoring the place we call home.”
SUTTON APPOINTED TO AIRPORT AUTHORITY
THIS YEAR'S NODS FOR EQUITY AWARDS CAROUSEL CENTER'S NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Real estate attorney FAISON GIBSON SUTTON was appointed to the New Hanover County Airport Authority.
Sutton will serve a four-year term through June 30, 2026.
Born and raised in Wilmington, Sutton’s practice focuses on real property acquisition, development, leasing, and finance.
She gained eighteen years of experience at Murchison, Taylor & Gibson, and she also served as the firm’s first female managing partner in 2018. An active member of the community, Sutton has served on numerous community and economic development boards.
New Hanover County commissioners also reappointed SPRUILL THOMPSON to the airport authority. Thompson will serve his term through June 30, 2026.
The authority elected its officers: THOMPSON as chairman, NICK RHODES JR. as vice chairman, and TOM WOLFE as secretary.
The group has authority over Wilmington International Airport, which has commercial air service on American Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.
The New Hanover County Office of Diversity and Equity hosted its second annual Equity Awards Gala, recognizing eleven residents for “their dedication to expanding and elevating equity and diversity throughout the community,” according to an announcement about the winner.
The women who received the 2022 Equity Awards are below. For a full list of winners, go to nhcgov.com. • CHAKEMA CLINTON-QUINTANA, vice president of inclusive small business at Live Oak Bank (Business Equity Award); • SHERI SHAW, CRYSTAL PELLOM, and CONSTANCE FOREMAN, Three Ladies in Wilmington co-founders (Community Equity Award); • CIERRA WASHINGTON (above), Northside Food Co-Op project manager and community advocate (Community Equity Award); • FAWN RHODES, New Hanover County Health and Human Services advancing equity coordinator (Health Equity Award) and • JAZMIN TREJO and VANNIA BAUTISTA, Cape Fear Latinos co-founders (Nonprofit Equity Award).
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The Carousel Center welcomed additions to the nonprofit’s board of directors.
The new members are ELIZABETH DEATON, TRICIA DELP IRELAND, WINDY EZZELL, DONNA FAYKO (above), LESLIE MCINTOSH, KENDRA TOLLEY, and JENNA YINGLING.
“We are all deeply invested in making sure that our children have every opportunity to grow up in safe, healthy environments that will allow them to thrive and succeed, and this expansion will make that possible,” says RHONDA HENRY, newly elected board chairman.
Other elected officers are SHEMEKA KEMP as vice chair; SAM WOOD as secretary; and DORY WEISS as treasurer.
The Carousel Center is the region’s only nationally accredited, nonprofit Child Advocacy Center that provides child medical exams, forensic interviews, confidential professional trauma counseling, and caregiver support to children and their families who have experienced physical/sexual abuse.
Last month, it signed a memo of understanding to be the sole provider of child abuse services for Pender County.
“We are currently selecting an office space in Burgaw to open in three to six months to more efficiently serve Pender children and their families closer to home,” says AMY FEATH, The Carousel Center’s executive director.
