Dr. Ophelia Garmon-Brown (second from right) received a Thurgood Marshall College Fund Award of Excellence.

The entire Queens community congratulates Trustee Dr. Ophelia Garmon-Brown on her recent receipt of a Thurgood Marshall College Fund Charlotte Award of Excellence. Queens alumna Emily Zimmern, president and CEO of The Levine Museum of the New South also received the prestigious award this year.

Dr. Garmon-Brown is Vice President of Community Partnerships at Novant Health. She was honored for her leadership and community involvement, with achievements including the founding of a free medical clinic in Charlotte, extensive volunteer work in Africa, and her work in Christian ministry. Her other recent awards include being named the 2010 Charlotte Woman of the Year.

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) annually recognizes leaders in business, health, sports, arts and culture for their professional and civic excellence and their contributions to education and diversity initiatives that honor the legacy of U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Thurgood Marshall. This year's honorees from Charlotte also included Corie Pauling, associate general counsel, TIAA-CREF; and Fred A. Whitfield, president and chief operating officer of Bobcats Sports & Entertainment.