The Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations (FCHR) Commission has selected the recipients of the 2026 Community Awards for their excellent work and commitment to promoting positive human relations throughout Fayetteville and Cumberland County. The honorees will be presented with their awards at the annual community awards luncheon on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 11 a.m. at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden, 536 N Eastern Blvd.
Community Award Winners are:
• Lifetime Achievement Award, Jerome T. Scott
• Educator Award, Dr. Carmen Nichols-McFarlin
• Individual Award, Dr. Erika McCormick
• Religious Leader Award, Chaplain (CPT) Asnage Castelly
• Humanitarian Award, Carlos Sanchez
• Youth Award, Zamiah Robinson
• Organization Award, Fayetteville NOW
• Military Award, Ignacio (Iggy) Suarez
Tickets are available for $35 and can be purchased online at Fayetteville.gov/HumanRelations or at the Human Relations Department, located at the Festival Park Building, 225 Ray Ave. Suite 100, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sponsorship tables are also available for $250. Tickets must be purchased by Feb. 4, and no tickets will be sold at the door.
Fayetteville native and Rock103 Radio Host Dominique Womack will be emceeing the awards ceremony.
Funds raised at the awards reception will go towards the Human Relations scholarship, created for Cumberland County high school students pursuing college degrees.
Kristen Botts co-founded the program with her husband, Nathan Botts, who is a Veteran himself. Photos provided by Kristen Botts.An organization helping Veterans live a full life after their service in the U.S. Military wants to connect Veterans and d
Patrick NoblesHuntington Bancshares Incorporated announced on Feb. 2 that it has closed its merger with Cadence Bank, a regional bank headquartered in Houston, Texas and Tupelo, Miss. This strategic partnership accelerates Huntington’s growth in
There is extensive dialogue surrounding Fayetteville as a travel destination or city aimed at recruiting new businesses and new residents. As someone who moved here from out of state, I thought it could be fun to share my personal experience as
