champions of
pride
awards
The Champions of Pride are Charlotte Pride’s annual awards. Along with selections for each year’s Charlotte Pride Parade Grand Marshals, the Champions of Pride Awards seek to recognize those whose work and dedication exemplify the spirit of Pride. Our Champions endeavor to empower and unite LGBTQ and allied people through their leadership, service, and support. Champions understand the importance of celebrating our past, present, and future while advancing LGBTQ rights and visibility.
Honoring Our Local Heroes
harvey milk award
Given annually to an individual to honor exceptional leadership, service to the community, and those who champion LGBTQ causes that impact the Charlotte community and beyond.
Outstanding Ally Award
Given annually to an individual to honor those who do not identify as LGBTQ, but who have stalwartly supported the LGBTQ community with a demonstrated, ongoing passion, and commitment to better LGBTQ lives.
Youth Catalyst award
Given annually to an individual to recognize a young adult leader under the age of 24 who is an “up-and-coming” leader within the community and/or whose contributions to the community have carried significant impact over the last year.
Stonewall award
Given to acknowledge longstanding and dedicated service to Charlotte Pride or other Pride events and activities in Charlotte. This award’s nominations may be made only by current members of the Charlotte Pride Board of Directors.
Legacy award
A special award given only from time to time at the discretion of the Charlotte Pride Board of Directors. The Legacy Award honors individuals who have demonstrated an outstanding, lifelong commitment to community and service, leaving a legacy and impact over many years or decades. The Charlotte Pride Board of Directors will only consider nominations for individuals who have 20 or more years of documented service to the community. Those nominating individuals in this category should spend thoughtful time on their nomination.
Parade Grand Marshals
The Grand Marshals of the Charlotte Pride Parade represent the best of LGBTQ leadership, service, and community. The Grand Marshals are the honorary leads of the parade who ride behind the honor guard and are among the first to be recognized by the parade emcees. Nominations in this category may be considered by the Charlotte Pride Board in naming the Grand Marshals. The parade’s Grand Marshals are honorary awards given to those with outstanding service to the LGBTQ community in Charlotte, the Carolinas, and beyond. Unlike other award categories, nominations in this category may be for organizations and individuals.
Champions
of Pride & Parade
Grand Marshals - Past & Present
Grand Marshal: Jim Yarbrough
Jim’s journey with the LGBTQ+ community began in 1986, when he was asked to sit on the board of directors of Queen City Qoordinators (QCQ), an umbrella organization that provided much-needed support with a speakers bureau, a hotline, a women’s social group and the establishment of QNotes in newspaper format.
For 38+ years Jim has served the LGBTQ+ community by running QNotes. In 2007, he became the owner/operator of White Rabbit, the only LGBTQ+ focused retail store in NC,. Additionally he has sat on a number of community boards and task forces, including Pride Charlotte and MCC Charlotte, among others.
Grand Marshal: Shann Fulton
Shann Fulton (they/he) is a dynamic leader and philanthropist committed to inclusivity and human rights. As Chair of Charlotte Black Pride, Shann champions the visibility and rights of Black LGBTQ+ individuals, ensuring their voices are heard and celebrated. Raised in a small town in the Lowcountry and having called Charlotte home for 14 years, Shann’s leadership journey is deeply rooted in social justice.
Under Shann’s guidance, Charlotte Black Pride has grown, enhancing its impact through community town halls and cultural events. With a 19-year career at Spectrum as a Technical Order Operations Analyst and a B.S. in Computer Science from SC State University, Shann excels professionally.
Shann is also dedicated to volunteerism, supporting local organizations focused on LGBTQ+ youth, POC youth mentorship, and underserved communities. Shann shares a loving home with their fiancé and two fur babies, with twins and five grandchildren being central in their lives. They enjoy activities like ATV riding, traveling, and family time.
Outstanding Ally Award: Karen Graci
Young Catalyst Award: Sarah T. Moore
Grand Marshal: Daniel Valdez
Grand Marshal – In Memoriam: Teresa Davis
Harvey Milk Award: The Hon. Tamara Sheffield
Outstanding Ally Award: Dr. Holly Savoy
Young Catalyst Award: Devin Green
Stonewall Award: Daniel Valdez
Grand Marshal & Legacy Award Recipient: Debbie Warren
Harvey Milk Award: O’Neale Atkinson
Outstanding Ally Award: Darryl White, Sr.
Legacy Award: Shann Fulton
Legacy Award — In Memoriam: Johnny Johnson (1958-2020)
Harvey Milk Award: James Rice III
Outstanding Ally Award: Ashley Nurkin
Young Catalyst Award: Audrey Ansel
Stonewall Award: Matt Comer
Grand Marshals: Charlotte Black Pride and The Hon. John S. Arrowood, N.C. Court of Appeals
Harvey Milk Award: Gerald Gurss and J. Donte Prayer
Outstanding Ally Award: Liz Fitzgerald
Young Catalyst Award: Nikolai Mather
Stonewall Award: Richard Grimstad and Craig Hopkins
Grand Marshals: Richard Grimstad and Craig Hopkins
Harvey Milk Award: The Hon. Al Austin, Charlotte City Council; and The Hon. LaWana Mayfield, Charlotte City Council
Outstanding Ally Award: Diane Troy
Young Catalyst Award: Vinnie Holt and Rebby Kern
Grand Marshals: Monica Helms and The Hon. Jeff Jackson, N.C. Senate
Harvey Milk Award: Candis Cox and Matt Hirschy
Outstanding Ally Award: The Hon. Jennifer Roberts, Mayor of Charlotte
Young Catalyst Award: Ashley Williams
Stonewall Award: Riley Murray
Legacy Award — Inaugural Recipients: Dr. Rhett Brown and Sue Henry
Legacy Award — In Memoriam: Blake Brockington (1996-2015) and Donaldson Wells King (1942-2014)
Grand Marshal: The Hon. Jennifer Roberts, Mayor of Charlotte
Harvey Milk Award: Joshua Burford
Outstanding Ally Award: The Hon. John Autry, Charlotte City Council
Young Catalyst Award: Gabby Hubert
Stonewall Award: Dave Webb
Grand Marshals: Jermaine Nakia Lee and The Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara
Harvey Milk Award: Tonda Taylor
Outstanding Ally Award: The Rev. Dr. Nancy Kraft
Young Catalyst Award: Andraya Williams
Grand Marshals: The Hon. Patsy Kinsy and The Hon. LaWana Mayfield, Charlotte City Council
Inaugural Awards
Harvey Milk Award: Janice Covington
Outstanding Ally Award: Beverly and Bill McIntyre
Young Catalyst Award: Juan Carlos Ramos
Grand Marshals: Wesley Mancini and Bishop Tonyia Rawls
