Annual Awards Gala Goes Green

Green is officially the new black as the 2010 Pride Awards, one of Charlotte’s premiere black-tie galas, shines the spotlight on “Sustainability for All.”  Pride Magazine and the Pride Awards sponsors will roll out the green carpet for this year’s winners Saturday, January 16, 2010 at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, 601 S. College Street.

The Pride Awards are held annually to celebrate achievement in the African American community.  A selection committee chose the following award winners:

·         Dr. David Jacobs will receive the Pride Community Service Award.  Jacobs, a trauma surgeon at Ross Trauma Center at Carolinas Medical Center, is the creator of the Violence Prevention Committee at CMC and a school-based violence prevention program called “The Real Truth About Violence.”

·         Jonathan Pullin will receive the Pride Emerging Green Leader Award.  Pullin is a successful entrepreneur who is working to create green jobs for low-income individuals in Charlotte.

·         The Pride Millennial Footprint Youth Award goes to Sydney Steward, a senior at South Mecklenburg High School, who is president of her school’s Environmental and Recycling Club and has a 4.0 grade point average.

·         Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont will be recognized as the Workforce Development Nonprofit Beneficiary for its dedication to operating as a green organization by building its enterprise around recycling and creating green job opportunities.

“The Pride Awards have proven to be an opportunity to recognize the unsung and this year we will honor outstanding individuals who are dedicated to making Charlotte a greener community,” said Dee Dixon, President and CEO of Pride Communications.  “We want our guests to leave this event educated, enlightened and entertained about the new green economy.”

A stellar lineup of sponsors have joined the Pride Awards team with Lowe’s leading the way as this year’s title sponsor, followed by Wachovia-A Wells Fargo Company and Bank of America as presenting sponsors.  Additional sponsors include Duke Energy, Food Lion, Walmart, Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated, Calor Energy, Compass Group, Turner Construction, Technology Project Management, NewsChannel 36, Radio One and the Charlotte Observer.

For more information or to learn about corporate sponsorship opportunities for the 2010 Pride Awards, please call 704.375.9553.  Table sponsorships are available for $1,500.00 (seating for 8) and individual tickets are $187.50.

Pride Magazine, a flagship product of Pride Communications, is a bi-monthly publication targeting the needs and interests of Charlotte’s African-American community.  Pride Communications offers public relations and event management services. Pride sponsors the Sunset Jazz Series and the Pride Awards Gala, two of Charlotte’s high-profile events promoting diversity, cultural awareness and financial support for worthy causes.