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2025 COMMUNITY LEADER AWARDS BREAKFAST
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This Year's Breakfast Awards Recipients 

Glenn M. Smith

SYDNOR  THOMPSON, Jr.
COMMUNITY LEADER AWARD

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Glenn M. Smith's career spans decades, marked by a deep commitment to at-risk youth and community development. In 1974, he founded The New Dawn Youth Center in Buckhannon, West Virginia, and became President of the West Virginia Child Care Association. Moving to Charlotte, NC, in 1980, he established numerous community-based programs for court-involved youth while working with Lutheran Family Services. In 1986, he founded The Family Connection, a large private counseling center in Charlotte. However, his desire to directly serve the community led him to establish Life Connections, Inc., which has become the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office's largest and longest-standing service provider, offering restorative programs for incarcerated individuals.

 

To further expand his impact, Glenn founded Life Connections of the Carolinas, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to "keeping kids out of jail and keeping families connected." This organization has received grants and contracts to begin over 20 programs across 13 North Carolina counties. Rooted in Perceptual Control Theory, these programs focus on supporting incarcerated individuals, strengthening families, and mentoring youth. Glenn has co-authored three books based on this theory, including "Creating Your Be-Print - Your Personal Blueprint for Living," which has been recognized nationwide and abroad. His primary goal is to ensure the long-term sustainability of Life Connections, enabling it to continue its vital work independently.

J.D. DuPuy
BRIDGE BUILDER AWARD

J.D. is an attorney and has spent his entire 25-plus year career with the law firm of Ruff, Bond, Cobb, Wade & Bethune, LLP.  He is a graduate of Davidson College (B.A., 1996) and the University of North Carolina School of Law (J.D., 1999).

 

J.D. serves on the Advisory Board of The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte, has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Friends of Acción, Inc. (supporting Acción Ministries), is a member of the Rotary Club of Charlotte, and is an active congregant and Elder of Covenant Presbyterian Church. He has travelled with teams to help build churches, houses, and community facilities in Avery County, NC, and at various villages and towns in Mexico, and in El Salvador.

 

Back home, his focus is primarily on volunteering with NourishUp and Second Harvest Food Bank, the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, and assisting in various capacities with the Mission and Outreach team at Covenant Presbyterian. He is the proud father of two incredible young women, Cate and Anna Wade.

 

Our selection committee was deeply impressed by the depth and breadth of J.D.'s volunteer work which he does in addition to work as an attorney.

Prableen Kaur

YOUTH LEADER AWARD

Prableen Kaur is a senior in high school at Providence Day. She is a passionate youth leader dedicated to fostering interfaith understanding and community service.

 

As the Sikh Youth Representative for MeckMIN, she has spoken at multiple interfaith events, organized service projects, and welcomed visitors to the Gurdwara Khalsa Darbar in Charlotte, NC. Her leadership extends to serving as a mentor and advocate for diversity through her school's Student Diversity Council and leading the Asian American and Pacific Islander Affinity Group.

 

Prableen's commitment to service stems from the values instilled by her Sikh parents and community, and has only grown with her involvement with MeckMIN. Her efforts have earned her multiple Presidential Volunteer Service Awards. She continues to inspire change by bridging cultural and religious divides, fostering unity, and empowering young leaders in our community.

Past Award Winners
SYDNOR  THOMPSON, Jr.
COMMUNITY LEADER AWARD
BRIDGE BUILDER 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
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

BETH WELLS  INTERFAITH SERVICE AWARD

Beth Wells
Amee Roome

THANKS TO THE 2025 SPONSORS

Tom & Stephanie Fielder
Manley & Jennifer Roberts
Liz Cook - Mahood
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

2024 Community Leader Awards Breakfast
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Browse through the 2024 picture gallery HERE
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 2023, Nourish Up (formerly Loaves & Fishes/Friendship Trays) provided nutritious groceries to 137,806 people through our food pantries and our grocery home delivery program. Of those, 24,034 had their groceries delivered directly to their doorstep by volunteers through grocery home delivery. In addition, volunteers delivered more than 128,000 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:

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