OneSpartanburg Inc. recognized a variety of community leaders and businesses at MOMENTUM: The 2021 Annual Celebration on Oct. 26 at the Chapman Cultural Center.
The 2021 award winners are:
- Neville Holcombe Distinguished Citizenship Award (highest honor) – S.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Don Beatty
- James B. Thompson Small Business of the Year– Blue Moon Specialty Foods
- Economic Champion Award – Senator International
- Elaine Harris Tourism Champion of the Year – Play. Advocate. Live Well, formerly known as Partners for Active Living, and executive director Laura Ringo
- The Chairman’s Award – Doug Smith was recognized for his leadership and advocacy on behalf of Spartanburg
- Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award – Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg executive director Lee Close and Citizen Scholars program executive director Gloria Close
- Inclusion Advocate of the Year – Spartanburg City Council
- Minority-Owned Businessperson of the Year – Legacy Healthcare Advantage CEO Cortella Wilkes
- Ambassador of the Year – Comporium business solutions specialist Lyle Bridgers
- Young Professional of the Year – Daniel Craig, attorney and partner with Johnson, Smith, Hibbard & Wildman
“Recent challenges have emphasized our community’s greatest strengths — resiliency and an unmatched ability to work together. Both have led to historic accomplishments,” said OneSpartanburg Inc. president and CEO Allen Smith. “Today’s momentum is also made possible by yesterday’s planning which is why we were delighted to share a bit about the future and the process to build the OneSpartanburg Vision Plan 2.0. With a data-based plan and the support of our public and private partners, the potential of our community is more promising than ever.”
The organization also recognized the Teachers of the Year in Spartanburg County, including:
- Spartanburg District 1 – Joanna Vaughn
- Spartanburg District 2 – Michelle Monroe
- Spartanburg District 3 – Lisa Dunagin
- Spartanburg District 4 – Steve Ramey
- Spartanburg District 5 – Jeri Hollis
- Spartanburg District 7 – Tiffany Anderson
- Spartanburg Day School – Joy Dunfee
- Spartanburg Prep School – Tara Williamson
- High Point Academy – Jecoliah Whittaker
- C. School for the Deaf and the Blind – Leslie Borton
During the event, OneSpartanburg Inc. also recognized the members of the Spartanburg delegation who worked to support the organization’s effort to secure a state allocation for economic development infrastructure funding.
