The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA), just hosted their annual 2021 Stars of the Industry awards ceremony. Award recipients were selected based on their exemplary service, leadership, innovation and dedication to the restaurant and lodging industries.

“Even in these extraordinary times, the hospitality industry is brimming with outstanding leaders who are raising the bar for excellence in performance, service and commitment to the industry,” said NCRLA President and CEO Lynn Minges. “We are proud to recognize the hardworking men and women that continue to give back to their communities every day, even amid the challenges the industry faces today.”

Two local Charlotte hospitality leaders received statewide recognition.

• Marie Mosoti, from Omni Charlotte Hotel, won Lodging Employee of the Year for her dedication to keeping guests safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic. She led the re-writing of the “Omni Stay Safe” procedures, trained the team to deliver an elevated safe environment, and even led housekeepers in sanitizing every guest room prior to reopening.
• Tiffany Tucker, from Canopy by Hilton Southpark, won Lodging Operator of the Year for her commitment to running an authentic, service-oriented hotel and restaurant. She pursued partnerships with local Charlotte vendors to bring the community to the hotel and coordinated a delicious and affordable Thanksgiving meal for those unable to be with their family during the holiday.

10 members from North Carolina’s hospitality community and two members of the NC General Assembly were acknowledged for raising the bar for excellence in performance, service, and commitment to the industry, even amid these challenging times. You can find the full list in the press release below my signature.

The National Weather Service has just issued a major winter storm warning for the greater Charlotte region.

* WHAT…For the Winter Storm Warning, heavy mixed precipitation
expected. Total snow accumulations of up to one inch and ice
accumulations of around three tenths of an inch. For the
Winter Weather Advisory, mixed precipitation expected. Total
snow accumulations of up to one inch and ice accumulations of
around two tenths of an inch.

* WHEN…From 7 PM this evening to 7 PM EST Thursday.

* IMPACTS…Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the
ice. Travel could be nearly impossible. The hazardous
conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.

According to Weather Underground, the freezing rain will begin accumulating sometime around 1am tonight.

The National Weather Service notes that “a Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet, and ice are expected or occurring. Strong winds are also
possible. This will make travel very hazardous or impossible. Only travel in an emergency. If you must travel, keep a flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an
emergency. Prepare for possible power outages.”

To prepare your car, top off all your fluids, especially your oil, power steering fluid, and antifreeze. You’ll also want to check your tires and make sure your air pressure is over 32 PSI.

To prepare your home, make sure to drain all fountains and exterior water fixtures. Always let at least one of your faucets drip to avoid freezing pipes. Consider buying a humidifier if you’re sensitive to dry air. If you have an older home with older windows, investing in some shrink film insulation will save you a ton on your heating bill.

To prepare yourself, buy some thermal gloves, a warm hat, and a winter jacket. If you’re going to spend any length of time outside, you may even want to consider buying an electric heating jacket.

If you have a pet – make sure to read our article about how to keep your furry friend warm!

Johnson C. Smith University is one of a dozen colleges and universities named by the Council of Independent Colleges to serve as an Institutional Affiliate for the multiyear project, “Legacies of American Slavery: Reckoning with the Past.” This initiative is designed to help CIC member institutions, their students, and their communities explore the continuing impact of slavery on American life and culture. The project will support campus-based research, teaching, and learning as well as community-based programs about the multiple legacies of slavery.

“I am very proud of the work that Dr. Keri Petersen, assistant professor of History has done to spearhead this project for Johnson C. Smith University,” said Dr. Matthew DeForrest, interim dean of the College of Arts and Letters. “Originally, there was not an Institutional Affiliate category planned for this grant. Keri and others made such compelling presentations that the organizers created a space for more participants. Keri deserves all the credit for this and I am looking forward to seeing what she and other JCSU faculty can accomplish within this framework.”

In addition, CIC announced the selection of seven colleges and universities to serve as Regional Collaboration Partners. The Partners will serve as the primary hubs of a national network that will expand to embrace many additional CIC member colleges and universities and community organizations across the United States. Each Partner will focus on a specific theme that has both local and national significance, organizing regional activities while contributing to a national conversation about race, equity, freedom, political power, and cultural resilience.

Richard Ekman, president of CIC, said it was very difficult to choose just seven Regional Collaboration Partners from a pool of strong institutional applicants. “The selection process highlighted the depth and breadth of scholarship, teaching, and public engagement that many CIC members have already devoted to exploring the pervasive legacies of slavery,” says Ekman. “This augurs well for the success of the national initiative.”

The Partners and Affiliates selected to represent a diversity of institutional types and sizes, including two women’s colleges and five HBCUs. Several of the institutions located in Confederate states have historical links to slavery as former sites of plantations; others were founded or influenced by abolitionists.

Programmatic activities will begin this spring and build toward a series of regional conferences hosted by the Regional Collaboration Partners during the 2021–2022 academic year.