October 3, 2024
Charlotte Museum of History
3500 Shamrock Dr, Charlotte, NC 28215

Welcome to ICONIC 2024!

This year marks a special milestone for the Freedom Center for Social Justice. Join us as we come together for a night of celebration, inspiration, and action at our annual ICONIC Fundraiser & Gala. With the theme of “Kaleidoscope of Change,” we will honor 5 individuals who have made a significant impact in the social justice arena, while celebrating our 15-year anniversary as a catalyst for equity and justice across North Carolina and beyond.

✨ Save the Date: October 3rd, 2024 ✨

Secure your tickets today and be part of this unforgettable night filled with joy, reflection, and a renewed commitment to building a more just and equitable society.

Kaleidoscope of Change: A Vision for Justice

Our theme for ICONIC 2024, “Kaleidoscope of Change,” reflects the vibrant, multifaceted movements for justice that our community has championed over the past decade and a half. Like the shifting colors and patterns of a kaleidoscope, the fight for social justice requires many perspectives, actions, and voices coming together to create lasting impact.

From LGBTQ+ equality and racial justice to economic empowerment and faith-based activism, this gala will celebrate the diversity of thought and action that makes change possible. As we gather in unity, we will honor five outstanding individuals who have driven progress in their communities, each contributing a vital piece to the ever-evolving mosaic of justice.

🌈 Together, we’re creating a kaleidoscope of change—one action at a time.

ICONIC 2024 HONOREES

ICONIC
Non-Profit

Beloved Community Center

  • The Beloved Community Center of Greensboro, NC, founded in 1991, is a grassroots organization inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s vision of racial and economic justice. With over 50 years of connected social justice work, the BCC focuses on community building, organizing, and advocacy to create an inclusive society that values the dignity and potential of all people. Their mission is to lead Greensboro and beyond into a new era of equity, peace, and justice that can serve as a model for the nation and the world.

  • Rev. Nelson N. Johnson is the Pastor Emeritus of Faith Community Church and Co-Executive Director of the Beloved Community Center in Greensboro, NC. With over five decades of activism, Rev. Johnson has been at the forefront of social and economic justice, racial equity, and community organizing. He has served on numerous national and local committees, including the Poor People’s Campaign and the Greensboro Justice Coalition. His work has earned him prestigious awards, such as the Ford Foundation Leadership for a Changing World Award and North Carolina’s Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

  • Joyce Hobson Johnson is a lifelong community activist whose work began during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement in Richmond, VA. She has served in various leadership roles, including Co-Executive Director of the Beloved Community Center in Greensboro, NC. Joyce has been actively involved in advocating for racial and social equity, working on initiatives like the Greensboro Truth and Community Reconciliation Process, voter turnout campaigns, and the NC Poor People’s Campaign. With a background in education and transportation research, she has received numerous awards for her dedication to justice and community building.

ICONIC Community Group

Union of Southern Service Workers

  • The Union of Southern Service Workers (USSW) is a union built by and for low-wage service industry workers, especially in the South. Focused on collective action, USSW is dedicated to transforming low-wage, high-turnover jobs into good union jobs and fighting for dignity, fair pay, health and safety, consistent scheduling, and a seat at the table. Despite the challenges Southern workers face in unionizing, especially Black and brown workers, USSW is committed to building worker power and shifting the balance of power in the South through collective organizing.

ICONIC Individual

Rhys Chambers

  • Rhys grew up Southern California where they developed a deep sense of justice and desire to invest in their community. After receiving their degree from the University of California - Riverside in 2020 and completing the LA Coro Fellowship in 2022, they moved to North Carolina to begin their work as the Eastern/Southern Coasts Senior Regional Organizing Lead for the Human Rights Campaign. Here they fell in love with North Carolina and have committed much of their work to building community and partnerships across the state, fighting for equality for all North Carolinians, and trying to uplift and connect communities across the Carolinas. They reside in Winston-Salem with their cat Mister and are continuously enchanted by the way trees tell the story of the seasons.

ICONIC Trans* Advocate

Rev. Dr. John D. Blackshire

  • The Rev. John D. Blackshire, Ph.D., (he/him) serves as There's Room NC’s Lead Pastor and Executive Director, leading their team in North Carolina and beyond. An educator, artist, minister, and social justice coach, John helps There’s Room, individuals, and other organizations identify small yet mighty ways to accomplish radical community goals. As a minister, John feels best when empowering others to leverage their agency to transform their world for good.

ICONIC
Corporation

ViiV Healthcare

  • ViiV Healthcare is a global pharmaceutical company entirely focused on HIV medicines and research. Founded in 2009 through a partnership between GSK and Pfizer, with Shionogi joining in 2012, ViiV is committed to ending the HIV epidemic. They offer 17 HIV-specific prescription medicines and operate the world’s only dedicated HIV research facility. ViiV works to improve access to treatment worldwide, collaborating with organizations like IAS and MPP. Their Positive Action programs support over 300 community projects globally, emphasizing local healthcare solutions to leave no person living with HIV behind.

Celebrating 15 Years of Impact

In 2024, the Freedom Center for Social Justice proudly celebrates 15 years of transformative work. For a decade and a half, we have been at the forefront of advocating for marginalized populations, dismantling systemic barriers, and fostering inclusive communities across North Carolina and the country.

At ICONIC 2024, we will reflect on the journey we’ve taken together—advancing the rights and voices of those most often left behind. From our TFAAN Retreat, which empowers LGBTQ+ people of color and faith leaders, to our Clack the Vote campaign, which mobilizes communities to participate in the democratic process, we’ve made great strides thanks to your support.

Let’s raise a glass to the past 15 years and look ahead to the future we are building—one where equality, freedom, and justice are a reality for all.

FCSJ Founder’s Award

The Freedom Center for Social Justice's Founder’s Award is a prestigious recognition presented to a partner organization or individual who has significantly advanced the mission, vision, and values of FCSJ. This award honors those who have demonstrated a deep commitment to advocating for social justice, equality, and empowerment, while fostering meaningful change within marginalized communities. The Founder’s Award celebrates those who, through their collaboration and dedication, have played an integral role in supporting and amplifying the impact of the Freedom Center's work.

This year, the Founder’s Award will be presented to Debbie Warren in recognition of her remarkable leadership and dedication to advancing the mission and values of the Freedom Center for Social Justice. Debbie’s work with RAIN has been instrumental in addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic, where her compassionate approach replaced fear and prejudice with understanding and care. Together, our organizations have collaborated to tackle the HIV/AIDS crisis and continued to advocate for justice, faith, and equality, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community. Debbie’s leadership and unwavering commitment over the past three decades have truly aligned with our shared vision of a more just and compassionate world, and we are honored to recognize her extraordinary contributions.

  • Debbie Warren founded RAIN in 1992, mobilizing volunteers and the faith community to address the challenges of HIV/AIDS prevention and end-of-life care during a time of widespread fear and stigma. Recognizing the struggles of those diagnosed, particularly gay men, she fostered a dialogue that replaced judgment with compassion and ignorance with knowledge. As antiretroviral therapies emerged, Debbie led RAIN in shifting its focus from end-of-life care to health education and access to medication. With 30 years of service, her leadership has inspired a compassionate approach to support, empowering individuals in the LGBTQ community to live full lives.

ICONIC Speaker

We are beyond thrilled to announce that Kierra Johnson, President of the National LGBTQ Task Force, will be our featured speaker at ICONIC 2024! Kierra brings an incredible wealth of experience in LGBTQ advocacy, reproductive justice, and leadership. As one of the few queer women of color leading a national LGBTQ organization, Kierra's voice and vision inspire change and empowerment for all. We can't wait to hear her speak and celebrate this special moment with our community!

  • Kierra Johnson (she/they), President of the National LGBTQ Task Force, joined the organization in 2018 as Deputy Executive Director after previously serving on its board of directors. A national expert in queer and reproductive rights, she brings extensive experience in organizational leadership, program development, and youth advocacy. Johnson, a bisexual Black woman, is one of the few out queer women of color leading a national LGBTQ organization. She has testified before Congress and appeared in major media outlets. Johnson has been recognized with several awards for her leadership and is passionate about advancing justice for LGBTQ individuals, particularly the most marginalized.

FCSJ Through The Years

  • LGBT Chamber of Commerce Gala

    2023

  • Charlotte Pride Interfaith Service

    2022

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Join us for an ICONIC evening and 15 year anniversary celebration.

Whether you're a long-time supporter or attending your first ICONIC gala, this night is for you. Together, we will celebrate progress, recommit to the fight for justice, and look forward to the vibrant changes still ahead. We can’t wait to see you at ICONIC 2024—because YOU are a part of the kaleidoscope of change! 🌈

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our ICONIC 2024 sponsors for your unwavering support and commitment to social justice. Your partnership allows us to continue advancing equality and creating lasting change in our communities. Together, we are building a brighter future, and we couldn’t do it without you. Thank you for making this milestone 15-year celebration possible!

Thank You To Our Sponsors

Relive the memories of ICONIC 2023 with us!

As we look ahead to this year’s celebration, let’s take a moment to reflect on the magic of ICONIC 2023. From powerful speeches to unforgettable moments, last year’s gala brought together a community of changemakers and honored incredible individuals who continue to lead the fight for justice.

Join us in celebrating our past awardees, whose contributions have left a lasting impact on the social justice landscape. Together, we continue to build a brighter, more equitable future!

  • Hispanic Federation

    Non-Profit Organization Award

  • CCCJ

    Community Group Award

  • J. Donté Prayer

    Individual Award

  • Truist

    For-Profit Organization Award

  • Mythic Massage

    Trans* Advocacy Award

  • Gwendolyn Woodard Rawls

    Inaugural Founders Award