Achievers & Accolades

Local nonprofit leader Stacey Buckner honored with the Tom Miller Advocacy Award

By Staff Report, posted 1 year ago
Stacey Buckner

SourceAmerica®, an AbilityOne® authorized enterprise that creates employment opportunities for people with disabilities, announced the winners of its national achievement awards at its annual Xforce Conference in Orlando, Florida on May 8, 2024.

The SourceAmerica achievement awards recognize nonprofits, employees and business partners for their exceptional work ethic, success and leadership in advancing inclusion for people with disabilities in the workforce. These awards highlight successes in disability employment, especially when approximately 63 percent of working age people with disabilities do not have jobs.

“SourceAmerica is dedicated to creating opportunities for inclusive and diverse work environments where every individual has the opportunity to thrive,” said Richard Belden, SourceAmerica president and chief executive officer in a press release. “These awards serve as a testament to the incredible contributions of people with disabilities, breaking barriers and proving that diversity is a key driver of success.”

Stacey Buckner is the recipient of the Tom Miller Advocacy Award, which recognizes an employee with a disability who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and remarkable passion for self-advocacy on a local, state or national level. After suffering a stroke and traumatic brain injury in 2008, Buckner faced a long and difficult recovery. She worked with ServiceSource to secure employment within the AbilityOne Program at Fayetteville Veterans Affairs Medical Center. There, Buckner took a deeper interest in the needs of homeless veterans. Through partnering with ServiceSource, Buckner has launched several nonprofits focused on the mental and physical health of local Fayetteville veterans, including Off-Road Outreach, a program that provides showers, laundry, clothing and meals; Veggies for Vets, a fresh food

program serving more than 50 Veterans weekly; and the Big Tiny Project, a planned tiny home community granting up to 180 days of free transitional housing to homeless and at-risk Veterans in Fayetteville.

Buckner will also be appearing as a panelist at the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal’s upcoming Power Breakfast event being held on June 18 at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden.  Titled “Big Challenges,” guests will hear from local organization and business leaders -like Buckner- about how businesses can help with BIG Challenges like crime, homelessness and the opioid crisis.

Learn more about Buckner’s background here and order your tickets to the Power Breakfast here. 

Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT

In The Current Issue

A new chapter: Book Black Women Inc. deepens impact with new partnerships and new programming

In just four short years, Book Black Women Inc. has flourished exponentially. New partnerships, serious sponsorships, a new location and putting on an all-original play are just some of the accomplishments on the horizon for Ayana Washington’s creati


Elevating the golf experience: The entrepreneurs behind Chip Shot Golf's ambitious drone delivery vision

Bobby Kulp and Forth Heffner, the entrepreneurs behind Chip Shot Golf, are hoping their drone delivery service can become a household name for golfers who want to experience maximum comfort on demand. Photo provided by Kulp.An entrepreneur and tech w


Editor's note: Celebrating Spring in Fayetteville

Photo by Stephanie MeadorAs the trees and bushes bloom and the weather heats up, I’m enjoying spending more and more time outdoors, walking on trails, dining on patios and even driving with the windows down to soak in the fresh air. I’ve always