Honoring our local champions
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.
Nominations now open for 2023 Champions and Grand Marshals
We are now accepting nominations for the 2023 Champions of Pride and 2023 Charlotte Pride Parade Grand Marshals.
DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS: FRIDAY, JULY 7, 2023
Award Categories
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.
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.
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.
DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS: FRIDAY, JULY 7, 2023
Past Champions of Pride & Parade Grand Marshals
2022
Harvey Milk Award: The Hon. Tamara Sheffield
Outstanding Ally Award: Dr. Holly Savoy
Young Catalyst Award: Devin Green
Parade Grand Marshal & Legacy Award Recipient: Debbie Warren
2020-2021
Harvey Milk Award: O’Neale Atkinson
Outstanding Ally Award: Darryl White, Sr.
Legacy Award: Shann Fulton
Legacy Award — In Memoriam: Johnny Johnson (1958-2020)
2019
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
2018
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
2017
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
2016
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
2015
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
2014
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
2013 — 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
