The Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce recognized a local small businesses, corporation, nonprofit, and a former professor for their efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in their hiring, management, and marketing practices at the Chamber’s Annual Diversity Luncheon held at Northstone Country Club in Huntersville.

The luncheon was attended by approximately 80 business and community leaders and was highlighted by a keynote address by Joni Davis who served as the chief of staff for Duke Energy’s Office of the CEO and the chief diversity and inclusion officer prior to retiring in June of 2022. As chief of staff, she worked closely with the CEO and senior management team to develop strategic priorities for the enterprise. Davis discussed “The Power of Inclusion” and the need to work collaboratively, recognizing the strengths of our diversity, and unique talents and perspectives we bring to the workplace.

Following Davis’s presentation on Diversity, the Chamber presented awards to the Champions of Diversity for 2024 in the Lake Norman region. Assisting Chamber President Bill Russell in the presentation were Davis, who is also a Past Board Chair of the Chamber, and Davidson Commissioner Tracy Mattison Brandon.

Selected as the Individual Diversity Champion was Michael D. Connor, a retired professor of Theatre Arts, Professional Actor, Playwright, and Director. The Nonprofit Diversity Champion was The Cook Community Clinic in Huntersville. The Chamber’s Small Business Diversity Champion was and Cherise Spand – Financial Planner and Entrepreneur and the Corporate Diversity Champion was Huntersville’s Reynolds Consumer products.

The 2024 Diversity Luncheon was Presented by MSC Industrial Supply in Davidson. Gold Sponsors included The McIntosh Law Firm, Novant Health and Duke Energy. The Media Sponsors were Business Today/Cornelius Today and WSIC News.

Individual Diversity Champion - Michael D. Connor

Michael Connor is a native of Lake Norman who has led an amazing life – a retired professor of Theatre Arts, Professional Actor, Playwright, Director – however writes Abigail Jennings – it is his work in this community that makes him a great recipient of this award. A Board Member for Hugh Torrance House & Store – he has been an integral part of sharing his theatrical talents telling the story of our regional history and in particular – bringing Black history to life. 

He has living history performances of Martin Luther King, George Moses Horton, Frederick Douglas at town events, Libraries, and Community gatherings.

Adds Chamber President Bill Russell, “It’s been my fortune to hear Michael do historical reenactments both at Cedar Grove and at a special community event at the Torrence Lytle School in Huntersville.”

Corporate Diversity Champion - Reynolds Consumer Products

With more than 700 employees working at Reynolds Consumer Products here in Huntersville - DEI is not just something they say its how they do business. It is not uncommon to have the breakroom filled with a multitude of delicious smells and languages. As of August 2024 83% of their workforce is racially diverse. This encompasses several distinct languages – Spanish, Haitian-Creole, Russian, French; as well as various others.

They have the TV’s that are scrolling dual languages at Welcoming day (New Hire Orientation); February, they did the Black History Month; they had quizzes and people learned more about different cultures; and March was Women’s History Month… every month was a different focus on a different demographic! But Reynolds is also involved right here in our community – whether its cleaning the park or assisting a family who lost their home spearheading a clothing drive.

Reynolds Consumer Products is an outstanding Community Partner and the Lake Norman Chamber Corporate Diversity Champion. Accepting the award were Andrew Hampton - Plant Manager, Huntersville, Vernetta McDowell and Jaime Lane from the Lake Norman EDC.

Small Business Diversity Champion - Cherise Spand

Cherise Spand has worked tirelessly to unify West Davidson residents to address more effectively the affects of gentrification in the community – the lack of information homeowners need to address rising property taxes and the need for home repair.

She is slowly building a community across the idea that they must work collectively to bring about positive change much like the Smithville Community in Cornelius.

Cherise Spand – Lake Norman Financial Planner and Entrepreneur.

Nonprofit Diversity Champion - Cook Community Clinic

For the past 26 years, the Clinic has offered medical services at no cost to uninsured patients who reside in our service area and have household incomes at or below 250% of the federal poverty level. They provide high-quality, culturally and linguistically appropriate medical and soon-to-be onsite dental care. Their services are provided at a convenient location with flexible hours, and in Spanish and English.

Their patients are often the working poor, with multiple jobs, but no access to coverage through their employers, and millennials or those recently displaced from jobs, seeking work, in transition, or homeless. They serve patients of all ages with 57% (in 2023) being female. In 2023, the clinic cared for 1,689 patients, 75% of whom were native Spanish speakers.

Per the CDC, Hispanic adults have the highest uninsured rates (25%) of any racial or ethnic group within the U.S. and are twice as likely as the overall U.S. population (8%) to lack health insurance. Among foreign-born Hispanic adults, the uninsured rate climbs substantially. Hispanic adults are less likely than other Americans to have health insurance and to receive preventative medical care. Language and cultural barriers, as well as factors such as higher levels of poverty, particularly among recent Hispanic immigrants, are among the social and economic dynamics that contribute to disparate health outcomes for Hispanic Americans.

The Mecklenburg County report on Access to Primary Care noted that uninsured rates are higher among younger adults, members of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals born outside the US, and low-income individuals. The clinic is a critical partner for providing care for the uninsured in Mecklenburg County, specifically the Lake Norman region.

Pic 1 Diversity Connor: Michael Connor receives the Chamber’s Individual Diversity Award. From Left to Rights Davidson Commissioner Tracy Mattison Brandon, Lauren Ewald, Michael Connor, Abigail Jennings, Joni Davis, and Bill Russell. Photo by John McHugh.

Pic 2 Diversity Corporate: Andrew Hampton - Plant Manager, Huntersville and Vernetta McDowell with Reynolds Consumer Products, receives the Lake Norman Chamber Corporate Diversity Champion from Davidson Commissioner Tracy Mattison Brandon, Jaime Lane – Lake Norman EDC, and Joni Davis. Photo by John McHugh. 

Pic 3 Diversity Small Biz: Cherise Spand – Financial Planner, receives the Small Business Diversity Champion award from Davidson Commissioner Tracy Mattison Brandon and Joni Davis. Photo by John McHugh

Pic 4 Diversity nonprofit: Sarah Porter and Ileana Rivera from the Cook Community Clinic receive the Lake Norman Chamber Nonprofit Diversity Champion from Davidson Commissioner Tracy Mattison Brandon and Joni Davis. Photo by John McHugh