The 2010 Pride Awards are going green.

The annual black-tie dinner, scheduled for Jan. 16, will honor individual who make our communities socially and environmentally sustainable.

The traditional red carpet will be replaced by a green runway.

Pride CEO Dee Dixon said the goal is to make the African American community more aware of green jobs, green wealth and fiscal responsibility.

“If this green economy is going to work, then everyone needs to get on board,” she said. "We want our guests to leave this event educated, enlightened and entertained about the new green economy."

The 2010 winners are:

Dr. David Jacobs, associate medical director for trauma services at Carolinas medical Center, will receive the Pride Community Service Award. Jacobs founded the Violence Prevention Committee at CMC and a school-based, violence-prevention program called “The Real Truth About Violence."

He earned his medical degree at Cornell University and received his surgical training at the University of Pennsylvania and at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

Jacobs’ current position includes the education of medical students and surgical residents, clinical research and the clinical practice of general surgery, surgical critical care and trauma surgery.

He has published articles on a number of topics, including organ donation and violence prevention, reflecting his belief that surgeons must involve themselves in the ethical, social and political issues that affect the health and well-being of patients.

Jonathan Pullin, a local entrepreneur, will receive the Pride Emerging Green Leader Award. Pullin is working to create green jobs for low-income individuals in Charlotte.

He holds an undergraduate degree in environmental studies from UNC Asheville and a masters degree from the school of Environmental Sciences and Engineering at UNC Chapel Hill, where his area of study focused on hydroxyl-radical chemistry, with an emphasis on physical chemistry, chemical engineering and the use of advanced oxidation processes.

After graduation, Pullin was hired as an environmental scientist with LAW Engineering in Charlotte. In 1998 he founded the Environmental Group of the Carolinas Inc., an environmental consulting, testing and remediation firm.

Sydney Steward, a senior at South Mecklenburg High School, will receive the Pride Millennial Footprint Youth Award. Steward is president of her school's Environmental and Recycling Club, has a 4.0 grade point average, serves on student council and is a member of the yearbook staff.

Steward is working to create a recycling program and outdoor classrooms for her school. She participates in several clubs and honor societies, and was named the Pre-College Initiative Female Student of the Year by the National Society of Black Engineers.

Steward participated in MarineQuest, a marine biology program at UNC Wilmington, where she studied costal ecology. She also took part in N.C. State’s Summer Textile Exploration Program, where she made an outfit from clothes bought from GoodWill. She now dreams of creating an environmentally friendly clothing line.

Steward is a Girl Scout in Troop 1343 and has volunteered with her troop at the Humane Society, Crisis Assistance Ministry, ImaginOn, Association for Retarded Citizens and Providence United Methodist Church.

She is the daughter of Dr. Emmett and Jonna Steward.

Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont will be recognized for its efforts to promote recycling and promote green jobs.

IF YOU WANT TO GO:
Date: Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010
Place: Charlotte Westin (601 S. College Street)
Time: Doors open @ 6 p.m.; program starts @ 8 p.m.
Cost: individuals; $187.50; table, $1,500

For more information, go online at www.pridemagazine.net.

Sign up for our Weekly Email Newsletter Email: For Email Marketing you can trust

Other Ways to Share Twitter Del.icio.us MySpace

Discussions and Submission Agreement