Featured State News

Spectacular Magazine 2018 Emerging Leaders of the Year Semi-Finalists Announced

Phyllis Coley @phyllis_coley

On May 20th, Spectacular Magazine will recognize the brightest innovators and game-changers between the ages of 18-35 who are transforming the world in their own way with the Spectacular Magazine 2018 Emerging Leader of the Year awards.

Nominations accepted in nine categories have been narrowed down to 3 semi-finalists in 7 categories, and due to overwhelming responses in the Activism and Community Service categories, the committee narrowed the semi-finalists down to 6 and two recipients will be named in those categories.

Semi-Finalists for the Spectacular Magazine 2018 Emerging Leader of the Year Awards are:

Activism:

  • Brandi Calhoun – Director of Childbirth, Greensboro YMCA (Greensboro)
  • Ashley Canady – President, McDougald Terrace Resident Council (Durham)
  • James Clark – Mentor/Community Organizer/NC A&T Student (Warrenton)
  • Danielle Purifoy – Environmental Social Scientist/Lawyer (Durham)
  • Taylor Webber-Field – Community Organizer, Village of Wisdom (Durham)
  • Ryan Wright – President, NAACP Shaw Univ. Chapter (Raleigh)

Arts:

  • Marcus Joyner – Actor/Motivational Speaker (Macon)
  • Monet Marshall – Artistic Director, Mojoaa Performing Arts (Raleigh)
  • Shanita Ollison – Founder/Executive Director, Music Is Life Non-Profit (Raleigh)

Beauty Industry Professional:

  • Brittany McDuffie – Owner/Master Stylist, Hair Laid By Britt (Durham)
  • Dionna Owens – Owner/Master Stylist, Sew Natural Hair Boutique (Durham)
  • Milton Sunni Rogers – Professional Make-up Artist, Beat By The Sun Experience (Roxboro)

Community Service:

  • Tierra Bethel – Marketing Manager, Spectrum News (Raleigh)
  • Brenton Ford – Graduating Senior, Franklin Co. Early College HS (Louisburg)
  • Jennifer Jones – Youth Program Facilitator, Speak Up Speak Out – NC (Durham)
  • Edmund Lewis – Coordinator, Durham County My Brother’s Keeper (Durham)
  • Briana May – Miss Shaw University 2017-18, Miss CIAA 2018 (Raleigh)
  • Timothy Walker – Dean of Students, Nash Rocky Mount Public Schools (Rocky Mount)

Education:

  • Deborah Brown – Teacher, Eastway Elementary School, Durham County Schools (Durham)
  • Patrick McDonald – Professor of Education, Saint Augustine’s University (Raleigh)
  • Quinton Parker – Assistant Band Director/Music EducationCoordinator, NCCU (Durham)

Entrepreneurship:

  • Acquilla Faye – CEO & President, Our Efforts United and Acquilla Faye, LLC (Raleigh)
  • Tivi Jones – Founder & COO, HeyAwesomeGirl.com (Raleigh)
  • Donovan Watson – Owner/Operator, Perkins Orchard (Durham)

Fitness:

  • Mystique Hargrove –  Creator, Boho Wellness (Henderson)
  • Alex Louden – General Manager,  Fit $ Life of Zebulon (Zebulon)
  • Julie McNabb – Assistant Athletic Trainer, NCCU Dept. of Athletics (Durham)

Social Media Influencer:

  • Jalen Baker – Coordinator of Student Engagement, Dept. of Student Engagement & Leadership, NCCU (Durham)
  • Chelsey Bentley-Holts – Marketing Director,  Nakoma Marketing + PR/Art of Cool Festival (Durham)
  • Jalen Jarmon – Dee Jay (Durham)

Technology:

  • Jerry Beale –  CEO, Game Wybe (Raleigh)
  • Chrisdarius Clark – Co-Founder, Rikarga (Norlina)
  • Damien Greatheart – Professor of Computer Information, Livingstone College (Salisbury)

Winners will be determined via an on-line voting process from April 29 – May 12. Voting form, Gala ticket info and souvenir program book ad info will be available at www-sal9g.hosts.cx.