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NC Elite Awards

NC Elite Andrea Harris Memorial Award

Andrea Harris, former leader of The Institute in Durham, dies ...

Dear NC Elite Volleyball Club Community,

NC Elite is humbly honored to announce the Andrea Harris Memorial Award.  Andrea Harris, co-founder of the North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development (know as "The Institute"), spent her professional life helping to build businesses owned by women and minorities in North Carolina and was an advocate for marginalized and disenfranchised communities and entrepreneurs through policy, education and opportunities. 

Over her career, Miss Harris received numerous awards, including multiple Order of the Long Leaf Pine awards, and in 2014 was named the Lifetime Achievement Winner in Triangle Business Journal's Leaders in Diversity Awards.  NC Governor Roy Cooper  described Andrea as a "trailblazer who never stopped fighting for social and racial equity", and said of Miss Harris, "When doors were intentionally shut, she broke through for women and minority-owned businesses to succeed, modeled excellence in advocacy and mentored scores of freedom fighters."   

Congressman G.K. Butterfield said of Miss Harris, "Andrea dedicated her life's work to the imperative economic principle that prosperity must be shared and never isolated.  Though she was the recipient of many awards and recognitions for her work in business and leadership - above all, Andrea Harris is beautifully adorned by the doors that she has opened, the opportunities that she has fostered and the lasting impact she has made on individuals, businesses and minority communities in North Carolina. Her legacy continues to challenge us all to be better, to speak up, to make our voices heard and our purpose clear," he added.

Andrea Harris was born on July 2, 1948 in Sumter, South Carolina, and grew up in Henderson, NC.  She graduated from Bennett College in Greensboro.  Miss Harris passed away on May 20, 2020.

I had the honor and privilege of working alongside Andrea as we served together on the National Advisory Board of the Institute for Emerging Issues at NCSU.   NC Elite has founded the Andrea Harris Memorial Award to honor her work as an advocate for women and minorities, and advance her convictions through our work at NC Elite.   Award recipients are individuals who demonstrate the selflessness and commitment to helping support and improve others, as demonstrated by Andrea in her life's work, in their interactions with teammates, coaches, parents, families and the greater community.  

Thank you for helping us to honor the life and legacy of Andrea Harris.

Sandra Merkel-DeJames
Founder and President, NC Elite Volleyball Club
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Congratulations to our 2020-2021 Awardees!

Tameka Adams - NC Elite 17 Black
Melissa Tobias - NC Elite 17 Black

Congratulations to our 2021-2022 Awardees!

Tameka Adams - NC Elite 18 Black
Aniyah Bush - NC Elite 18 Black
Eve Carpenter - NC Elite 15 Red
Chelsea Coleman - NC Elite 17 Black
Amelia Ford - NC Elite 16 Black
Rainey West - NC Elite 15 White

Congratulations to our 2022-2023 Awardees!

Chelsea Coleman - NC Elite 18 Black
Faith Godette - NC Elite 17 Black
Jordan Godette - NC Eite 16 Black
Morgan Haughley - NC Elite 14 Black
Kayla Vivona - NC Elite 17 Black

Congratulations to our 2023-2024 Awardees!

Molly Evans - NC Elite 18 Black
Faith Godette - NC Elite 18 Black
Jordan Godette - NC Elite 17 Black
Kelis Jones - NC Elite 15 Black
Sammey Malik - NC Elite 16 Black
Anna Kate Spangler - NC Elite 16 Black
Kayla Vivona - NC Elite 18 Black
Annaleise Young - NC Elite 15 Black