The eighth annual Excellence in Leadership Awards were bestowed upon six outstanding alumni at a campus luncheon held in the Harris Alumni Center at Johnson Glen on Friday, Oct. 12. The luncheon was one of several events sponsored by the UNC Charlotte Black Alumni Chapter during Homecoming Weekend 2018. Other events included a welcome reception, the annual After UNC Homecoming Party, a special brunch and the Voices of Eden Reunion Concert.
The Black Alumni Chapter Excellence in Leadership Awards recognize the accomplishments of UNC Charlotte alumni and friends who have achieved excellence in the areas of education, entrepreneurship, financial services, health care, philanthropy, public service and STEM.
The 2108 Excellence in Leadership Award recipients are:
Emma Allen ’84, an award-winning financial services professional and agent/owner of the State Farm Emma Allen Insurance Agency Inc. She has been actively engaged in the Charlotte community with the March of Dimes, the Afro American Cultural Center, William C. Friday Fellowship for Human Relations and Junior Achievement. Allen earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from UNC Charlotte.
Tesha Boyd ’91, assistant health director for clinical services for the Mecklenburg County Health Department. She is co-founder and executive director of Promise Youth Development Inc., a grassroots nonprofit organization that develops and empowers youth through academic enrichment, health promotion and career exploration. Boyd earned an undergraduate degree in nursing from UNC Charlotte and a master’s degree in health administration from Pfeiffer University.
Keith Cradle ’07, adolescent program manager for the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office. He helped develop the Jail Arts Program with the Bechtler Museum that works with youth in detention to discover, cultivate and harness their appreciation for art. He also serves on various boards including Carolina Voices, Bechtler Museum, Inspire the Fire and Juvenile Crime Prevention Council for Mecklenburg County. Cradle earned an undergraduate degree in communications from Johnson C. Smith University, a master’s degree in health administration from UNC Charlotte, an MBA/MSL from Pfeiffer University and a Ph.D. in organizational leadership and management from Walden University.
Rondell Richardson ’99, clinical director and certified prosthetist/orthotist who has provided orthotic and prosthetic services in the Charlotte area for more than 17 years. He is co-founder of Impact Orthopedics and served as North Carolina’s first black prosthetist/orthotist. Richardson also serves as a board member for the International African American Prosthetic Coalition. He earned a bachelor’s degree in health fitness from UNC Charlotte; his graduate certificate in orthotics and graduate certificate in prosthetics is from the University of Connecticut, and he completed an MBA from Queens University.
Robert Rowell ’81, financial advisor and vice president of investments with Wells Fargo Advisors. With more than three decades of experience, Rowell specializes in cultivating solid, long-term relationships with high-net worth individuals and their families. A mentor for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, he served on the UNC Charlotte Board of Directors. He earned an undergraduate degree in business administration from UNC Charlotte.
Tiffani Teachey ’03, ’05, senior chemical/systems engineer with Westinghouse Electric Company. She has served on various boards within in the Charlotte community including the Charlotte Chamber Young Professionals, UNC Charlotte Black Alumni Chapter and the Sterling Math and Science Foundation. She is the 2018 recipient of the UNCF Maya Angelou Women Who Leads Award. A volunteer for Engineering and Technology Explorers, Teachey encourages and inspires young minds interested in Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) careers. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in engineering management from UNC Charlotte.
The mission of the UNC Charlotte Black Alumni Chapter is to support participation in University life and to promote the education of current black students through supporting scholarship opportunities, mentoring and providing community outreach. Furthermore, the chapter enhances black alumni participation through networking, communication and program development.
Award-winning alums, pictured left to right, Keith Cradle, Tesha Boyd, Robert Rowell, Emma Allen, Rondell Richardson and Tiffani Teachey.