Business Excellence Awards

Since 1986, the Chamber has proudly sponsored these prestigious awards, recognizing area small businesses for their ideals of sound management, hard work, innovation, financial success and community involvement..  In 2006, the Chamber awarded the first Non Profit Excellence Award. In 2009,under the theme "Making Durham Stronger",  the Chamber developed two additional awards categories to recognize the many contributions of our mid-size and large businesses, and also added the Sustainability Award to honor businesses who are dedicated to environmental and economic sustainability.

 

2009 Award Winners: Making Durham Stronger

 

Sustainability Award: Riley Life Industries

Riley Life is the first company in Durham to receive Green Plus Certification. In an effort to use their business as a mechanism for positive change in the world and in the local community, Riley Life pursued this certification. Since the company began, they have sought to more fully achieve their core value of sustainability which states “We seek to understand the future implications of our actions by focusing on the economic, social, and environmental impacts of our business.”  Sustainability requires Riley Life to look deeper at its entire sphere of influence rather than just the financial profits of business operations. 

 

Non-Profit Award: Student U

The mission of Student U is to empower students in Durham Public Schools to take ownership of their education by developing the academic and personal skills they need to realize their full potential in school and beyond.  Student U has two main components: The first is a free, 6-week academically intense summer enrichment program in which Durham middle school students are taught and led by college students from North Carolina.  The second component sustains the summer academic growth through weekly academic enrichment and remedial support and monthly mentoring outings also led by the college-age teachers.  All middle school students participate in Student U for three consecutive years after which time students will have improved their academic skills, gained confidence in their academic ability, and become motivated to challenge themselves throughout high school.  Many Student U students will be the first in their family to attend college.

 

Business Excellence Award- Small Business Category: American Dance Festival

The American Dance Festival has presented the very best in modern dance in the heart of Durham for over 32 years and just celebrated its 76th Anniversary.  The ADF has consistently sought to deepen its connection to the Durham community by increasing awareness of and participation in America’s indigenous art form, modern dance.  The ADF’s history and the history of modern dance have remained closely synonymous and as a result Durham residents have been the first to see the world premiere of hundreds of seminal dance works.  During the 2009 Festival, the ADF offered four educational outreach programs to Durham’s underserved citizens, enabling those in our community the opportunity to experience ADF programs and performances.   Previously offered during the summer only, ADF’s Community Movement Workshops are now being offered year-round, enriching the lives of more youth than ever before.  Partnerships and collaborations with Durham area organizations abound, including El Centro Hispano, Hayti Heritage Center, Rogers-Herr Middle School, and Walltown Neighborhood Center just to name a few.  The ADF reaches populations that are typically underserved, yet most deserving.  Filling a void, the ADF celebrates its

 

Business Excellence Award-Medium Business Category: Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham

After establishing a market demand for a higher-education institution focused on applied arts education, The Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham (AIRD) opened its doors in the summer of 2008, completing a $7 million renovation of 37,000 sq. ft. at the American Tobacco Campus. While established to provide career-focused education in design, fashion and culinary arts, the school is also becoming an integral part of the community — a key factor in its ongoing economic and social growth. Beginning with its launch, AIRD wanted to become a vital part of the community and connect not only with potential students, but with local citizens, government officials and business leaders as well. They began outreach efforts with a grand opening campaign emphasizing corporate citizenship and contributing to the overall welfare of the community and its residents. They exceeded their 2009 enrollment goals and successfully collaborated with the local business community while supporting many local nonprofits and organizations. Their employee base has nearly tripled to 55 faculty/staff. With students already applying real world education to their lives and jobs in Durham, they expect their impact on the city to increase when the first class graduates in 2010.

 

Business Excellence Award- Large Business Category: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)

The AICPA has partnered with Durham Public Schools (DPS) to provide an updated and invigorated, self-sustaining curriculum for the high school Business and Finance Academy (BFA) program.  The objective is to enhance the BFA students’ learning by adding valuable real world experiences.  Goals of the program are met through the organization and execution of interactive projects that dive into an issue or case study facing the finance and accounting profession today, presentations from community professionals who represent a wide variety of businesses, ages and ethnicities and the strengthening of the program’s brand recognition in the community.  Results of their efforts show that BFA students are more engaged in the program and also are increasingly seeking post-secondary education options, most notably in the areas of finance and accounting.  There has also been an increase in both Hillside High and non-Hillside High districted students entering the program.  The AICPA’s partnership with the DPS’ BFA positively impacts Durham by increasing volunteerism, encouraging students to work hard and focus on their futures.

 

Previous Recipients

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

1994

1993

  • Wheels Recreation Park

1992

1991

1990

  • Durham Urgent Care

1989

1988

1987

  • Learning Resources

1986

  • Bunkey's Car Wash

For more information on nominating your company or any company, please contact Kelsey Moore, Programming & Events Coordinator, at 919-328-8733 or kmoore@durhamchamber.org .