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Attorney General Josh Stein on Tuesday awarded the Attorney General’s Dogwood Award to eight North Carolinians in the Charlotte area.
Each year, Stein recognizes North Carolinians who help to make their communities safer, stronger, and healthier.

Recipients in the Charlotte area are:

• Karen Parker, president and CEO of Safe Alliance — “Karen’s work supports thousands of survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence,” said Stein. “She and her colleagues help vulnerable people leave dangerous situations, help them determine their next steps, and support them as they build safer, happier lives.”

• Rep. Wayne Sasser, District 67 — “As a pharmacist and an elected official, Rep. Sasser is doubly familiar with how damaging the opioid crisis has been for communities across our state,” said Stein. “I’m grateful for his partnership and his commitment to getting people the treatment they need so they can live healthier lives free of addiction.”

Sasser represents District 67 (Cabarrus, Rowan and Stanly counties) in the North Carolina House of Representatives.

• James Ferguson — “Fergie is one of my heroes,” said Stein. “In 1967, he joined Julius Chambers and my father Adam to form North Carolina’s first integrated law firm. He’s dedicated his entire career to making sure the law works for all people — not just the well-heeled and well-connected. He is a giant in the civil rights movement, and North Carolina is proud to call him one of our own.”

Ferguson is a founding partner and president of the Ferguson, Chambers, and Sumter, P.A.

• Michelle Mathis, executive director and co-founder of Olive Branch Ministry — “Through the Olive Branch Ministry, Michelle is working to meet people where they are in their lives,” said Stein. “She helps those struggling with addiction stay alive and safe until they are able to get treatment and get healthy.”

• Tameka O’Neal, vice president and chief provider experience officer at Novant Health — “Tameka spearheaded training at Novant to inform health care workers and staff about signs of human trafficking so they can help people escape that horrific nightmare,” said Stein. “Recognizing potential victims give us a critical opportunity to get victims to safety and to shine a spotlight on this crime.”

• District Attorney Locke Bell, Gaston County — “District Attorney Bell dedicated his career to public service,” said Stein. “For more than 14 years, he’s used the pursuit of justice as his north star to the keep the residents of Gaston County safe.”

Bell is the former district attorney for Gaston County.

• Sheriff Landric Reid, Anson County — “Sheriff Reid was a dedicated public servant to the people of Anson County,” said Stein. “His loss is deeply felt among those he served and the greater law enforcement community in North Carolina.”

Reid served as Anson County sheriff until his death in September 2022.

• Sheriff James Clemmons, Richmond County — “Over the years, Sheriff Clemmons became a good friend whose leadership I admired and respected deeply,” said Stein. “The opportunity to serve alongside him on the Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice gave me a front-row seat to his unyielding efforts to improve the profession of law enforcement and better serve the people of North Carolina.”

Clemmons served as Richmond County sheriff until his death in August 2021. He also served as a member of the Governor’s Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice.