The Inclusion Awards celebrate the accomplishments of minority and women-owned businesses in the community, and recognize those working to advance economic inclusion.
Bob Morgan, President and CEO of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, was the keynote speaker.
“Keep a steady drum beat of these questions —questions that every business leader, department head and division head here tonight should have,” said Wright during his acceptance speech.
“Are there any minority- or women-owned businesses out there that can perform the job or deliver the goods or services that the city offers? That your company offers? Find them and engage them in the procurement process.”
Inclusion Awards recipients:
Minority Business Advocate of the Year
Carl Wright, Procurement and Risk Manager, City of Spartanburg
In 1993, the City of Spartanburg became one of the first cities in South Carolina to create a position to increase the amount of business that the city transacted with minority and women-owned firms.
Wright became the first minority and women-owned Business Enterprise Director for both the City of Spartanburg and the Spartanburg Regional Transit Agency. He built the new post from the ground up, beginning with creating a database and publishing a listing of minority- and women-owned firms.
Within a few years, he had achieved established City and Federal goals
Minority/Woman-Owned Business Person of the Year
Molly Chappell-McPhail, Executive Director, BirthMatters
Molly Chappell-McPhail serves as the Executive Director of BirthMatters.
McPhail is passionate about empowering women to understand their options for birth and family planning and believes in the importance of prenatal connection to one’s child.
BirthMatters assists families, women and young girls in our community by providing doula services, prenatal sessions, postpartum sessions and a teen pregnancy prevention program. McPhail has built a diverse team of women led by a majority-female board, and secured continued funding for the organization.
Rising Star of the Year
Loren Allison, Dorman High School
Loren Allison has served Dorman High School as sophomore class vice president, junior class president, and as student body president. She participates on the Dorman Singers, the girls varsity golf team, and the Beta Club.
Allison serves the community through her work with the Silverhill United Methodist Church Youth Group, the Girl Scouts of America, and through volunteer efforts with countless organizations including the American Cancer Society and the March of Dimes.