Center City Vision Awards 2025

Deeandra Michel,

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – On Thursday, April 24, 2025, Charlotte Center City Partners hosted 900 people at the Charlotte Convention Center’s Crown Ballroom for the Center City Vision Awards. This award ceremony has become an anticipated tradition as one of Charlotte’s highly produced events with extraordinary art, music, dance and video production.

The purpose of the evening was to create a shared vision and to inspire all to contribute through their own efforts. Officials at Charlotte City Center explore ways the Center City is and can become more welcoming and equitable, economically vibrant, culturally rich, and a beloved place for all. We recognize the people, projects and places that make the Center City more vibrant, inclusive, and extraordinary.

Vision Award Recipient – Dena Diorio

This signature award recognizes an individual champion who has served as a major catalyst for Center City’s emergence as a thriving urban core; a community leader who has made the Center City more vibrant and extraordinary through his or her visionary leadership. As Mecklenburg County Manager, Dena has been a visionary, dynamic leader and a tireless advocate for the future of our Center City.

City Builder Award recognizes projects or entities that have had a major impact on Center City’  transformation.

The Line and Linea South End – Charlotte Center City honored Portman Holdings for the creation of a premier mixed-use development that embraces and animates the Rail Trail, introduces new retail and restaurant experiences, and adds to the vibrancy of South End.

Trailblazer Awards honor the pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit of businesses and retailers that are key contributors to Center City’s quality of life.

  • Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture – for the stewardship of a cultural cornerstone of the Charlotte community that preserves and celebrates excellence in African diasporic and African-American arts, history, and culture while contributing to the dynamic energy of Center City.
  • Friends of Fourth Ward – for their nearly 50 years of dedicated stewardship of the Fourth Ward, enhancing the quality and vitality of one of Uptown’s most cherished historic neighborhoods.
  • Market at 7th Street, with special recognition for Dr. Dan Murrey – for its ongoing commitment to incubating small businesses, supporting entrepreneurs, and building community and for a decade of public service to this entrepreneurial non-profit.

The 2025 Vision Awards will use music, art, culture and multi-media in surprising and breathtaking ways to celebrate our vibrant urban core and the connections we make together. This is the place where
innovation meets momentum.

Check out the gallery for the 2025 City Center Visionary Awards