2026 COMMUNITY LEADER AWARDS BREAKFAST
Every year MeckMIN recognizes three distinguished community leaders from Charlotte-Mecklenburg at an Awards Breakfast event. This gathering has often been described as one of Mecklenburg County’s best-kept secrets: a rare and heartening moment where people of many faiths, cultures, and backgrounds fill one room, honoring those who lead with dignity, collaboration, and care for the common good. It is a powerful reminder that when we come together across differences, hope feels tangible.
Meet the 2026 Honorees
Each of this year’s honorees represents a unique path of service, yet they share a common commitment to strengthening our community and honoring the dignity of every person. The honorees below remind us that lasting change grows from relationships, courage, and a willingness to build bridges across difference.
PAST AWARD WINNERS
SYDNOR THOMPSON, Jr.
COMMUNITY LEADER AWARD
BRIDGE BUILDER
BETH WELLS INTERFAITH SERVICE AWARD
Greg & Helms Jarrell
Beverly Howard
Russ Dean
Rodney Sadler
Dale Mullennix
Gail Card
Dianne English
Willie Ratchford
Sara Haymond
Darren Ash
Imam Khalil Akbar
Chris Wolf/A Way Home
Mary Nell McPherson
Sidney Sussman
Rabbi Judy Schindler
Robert Bayless
Rev. Deborah C. Warren
Angie Forde
Shakieta Maloye
Rev. Glencie Rhedrick
Rev. Dr. Abdue Knox
LIFE CONNECTIONS / Glenn M. Smith
Danny Trapp
Robert Dawkins
Bob Henderson
Peter Wherry
Braxton Winston
Mike Campagna
Jerry Cannon
Sarah Stevenson
Levine Museum of the New South
Toussaint Romain
Rose Hamid
Race Matters for Juvenile Justice
Ophelia Garmon-Brown
Pamela L Davies
Ruth & Dick Gault
Marsha Kelly & Nikola Taylor / Migrant Assistance Project
Susan Suarez Webster
Temako "Meko" McCarthy
Ismaail Qaiyim
Becky Schisler
Joanne Stevenson Jenkins
J.D. DuPuy
Beth Wells
Amee Roome
INTERFAITH YOUTH LEADER AWARD
Prableen Kaur
2025 Community Leader Awards Breakfast
FOOD DRIVE IN SUPPORT OF OUR
HUNGRY NEIGHBORS
We’re partnering with Nourish Up (formerly Loaves & Fishes/Friendship Trays) and asking you to consider bringing non-perishable foods with you to donate at the event.
In 2025, Nourish Up provided nutritious groceries to 169,099 people through our food pantries and our grocery home delivery program. Of those, 28,265 had their groceries delivered directly to their doorstep by volunteers through grocery home delivery. In addition, volunteers delivered more than 143,736 nutritiously prepared meals to those unable to obtain or prepare meals for themselves due to age, disability, or illness through our Meals on Wheels program.
We cannot nourish our neighbors without neighbors like you. Thank you for your support and compassion.
As you come to enjoy a delicious breakfast in good company, please consider bringing some of these most-needed items:
