DEE's Business

Change Is on the Horizon

Pride Awards 2026 Luncheon Moving to July

Dear Pride family,

As we step into a new year full of possibility, I want to share an exciting update about our beloved Pride Awards luncheon. After much reflection (and quite a bit of prayer and conversation!), we’ve decided to move the event from February — where it has lived for the past several years — to July. This

Why the change? Simply put, we want to give this signature celebration the time, space and energy it deserves. July offers a fresh moment in the year, a chance to gather when the calendar is less crowded, and a perfect opportunity to highlight our theme around Generative AI in a way that sparks curiosity rather than competing with everything happening during Black History Month.

Most importantly, this move allows us to deliver the high-quality experience you have come to expect — something we could not do while sponsors are still finalizing their early-year budgets. July gives everyone room to breathe, plan and show up strong. 

In addition, just so you know, it’s always been challenging to produce an event like ours during first quarter. Some of you may recall the Pride Awards originally began as an upscale gala in January during Martin Luther King week for many years. (I’m currently ridding my closet of numerous ball gowns that have been gathering dust since 1993.) We subsequently moved it to a February luncheon in honor of Black History Month, which we have enjoyed, but it’s time to move on.

I’m excited about this new chapter, and I hope you’ll mark your calendars and come celebrate with us this summer on July10 at the Ritz Carlton.  We are building something bold, thoughtful and uniquely Pride. We are set to spotlight one of the most transformative topics of our time.

Our theme “Future Forward with AI” will be a dynamic, interactive experience regarding the impact of Generative AI across Charlotte industries, people and communities. Truist Bank is on board as our title sponsor once again and Dr. Sunil Erevelles, Belk College of Business at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, will bring the keynote.

The missing element now is you. We need you to purchase your tables, tickets as soon as possible. Call the office at 704-375-9553, or log on to www.pridemagazineonline.com for more information.

Socrates said, “The secret of chjange is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but building the new.”

Thank you for growing and changing with us.

Dee