RALEIGH, N.C. — The LGBT Center of Raleigh, 324 S. Harrington St., has announced the first three of its five award recipients for its Oct. 16 “Sense of Pride” awards gala.
Organization of the Year goes to Workplace Options. The company is altruistic in nature and seeks to bring good to the community. The global business offers its services to provide well-being to those it serves. Recently, it partnered with the Tyler Clementi Foundation to create a training program for businesses that teaches employees how to discuss, address, and intervene in bullying issues that impact today’s youth. “We don’t always see immediate results from our WPO donations, but with the Center and Out! Raleigh, we actually see the greater impact our donations have year after year. It just gets better. As a gay man, I am incredibly proud of the Center,” Workplace Options President and COO Alan Buie-King said.
The Community Impact Award recipient is Chris Brook. Brook was at the forefront of the marriage equality battle in North Carolina. He serves as legal director of the ACLU of North Carolina. He oversees the organization’s legal program and its work on a wide range of constitutional law issues, including LGBT rights, racial justice and religious liberty.
Volunteer of the year is Kimberly Chapin. Chapin “dedicates a large chunk of her personal time to help build the center and bring our community together that is often invisible to the general public,” Executive Director James Miller said.
At press time, the remaining two award recipients, Distinguished Service and Ally of the Year, had not been shared and will be released weekly until completed.
The gala will be held at 7 p.m. at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel, 421 S. Salisbury St. Attendees will be able to enjoy live entertainment, silent auction, seated dinner and more.
Tickets are $125 through Oct. 6 and jump to $150 afterward and are available online.
info: lgbtcenterofraleigh.com.
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