2024 Union County Pride, Inc Awards

Carley E. Englander - 2024 Business Leader

Carley E. Englander (she/her) is a dedicated restaurateur and a passionate advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. As the owner of East Frank Superette & Kitchen, Carley has created a welcoming space that celebrates diversity and inclusivity through both its vibrant cuisine and community events. Beyond the restaurant, Carley serves on the board of directors of the Community Shelter of Union County as well as serving as Chairperson of the “Hospitality-Volunteer Committee” at Union Academy. Carley and her partner Robert live and work in downtown Monroe with their 3 children.

Karen Harbin - 2024 Community Leader

Karen Harbin (she/her) lived the first 15 years of her life in Camden, SC before moving to Aiken, SC, where she graduated from Aiken High School. She graduated from Meredith College with a BA in Music. Her major instrument was harpsichord. After a few years of working a variety of jobs, Karen went to The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where she met Chris Harbin, who joined her as her partner for a Spades game which turned into a 34 years (so far) partnership.

She has worked as a collections agent, bank teller, special education teacher, missionary in Mexico and Brazil, ESL teacher, elementary grades tutor, Spanish teacher, annual children's assembly director, literacy day camp director, and, now, bookstore owner.

Karen and Chris live in Wingate, NC. They share their home with two adult children, a dog, and a cat. In her spare time, she likes to read, play board games, and just be with her friends and family doing whatever.

Alayna Waggoner - 2024 Outstanding Ally

Alayna Waggoner (she/her) has been a resident of Union County since 2014, where she runs a photography business. She is a wife and mother to two awesome kids, and a firm believer that everyone deserves to be loved, safe and their authentic selves.

Steven Stegall - 2024 Outstanding Activist

Steven Stegall (he/him) is a life-long Monrovian and a proud graduate of Monroe High School. He has been a self-employed contractor for over 15 years and a small garden business owner for six.
He has been happily married for 20 years and has two beautiful and talented children with his wife. With the help of friends he founded Change for Monroe to raise awareness in local politics and encourage more participation in our political process.

Tristan Smith - 2024 Youth Leader

Tristan Smith (she/her) was born and raised in Monroe, NC. She is the daughter of Kelly and Isaac Smith and has four older siblings. A senior at Union Academy Charter School, Tristan is also dual-enrolled at South Piedmont Community College (SPCC). She is an accomplished athlete, running track for her school and competing in NC state competitions for several years. Tristan is a 3rd-degree black belt in Taekwondo, a testament to her humble spirit and dedication. Tristan started the GSA at her school and is an advocate for others. With a passion for forensic science and criminal justice, she aspires to pursue a career in these fields.

2023 Union County Pride, Inc Awards

Cress Barnes - 2023 Business Leader

Cress Barnes and her husband Blake have been business owners in Charlotte for 21 years- and constant allies, and supporters of the LQBTQ+ Community for decades. Cress is active in the Monroe Diversity, equity and inclusion committee , and the past president of the Union County Playmakers. She is currently one of the owners of East Frank Superette and Kitchen in Monroe, and is pleased that they continue to be an inclusive, safe space and strong supporters of Union County Pride.

Joshua Jernigan - 2023 Community Leader

Joshua Jernigan (he/him/his) is a transgender rights activist and philanthropist living in the greater Charlotte metropolitan area where he and his husband are raising their daughter together. He started the Gender Education Network, an organization helping transgender and gender diverse kids 12 and younger, and is passionate about ensuring every child has a safe and loving home to nurture their
growing identities.

Jen Sanders - 2023 Outstanding Ally

My name is Jen Sanders and I am a wife and mother of 2 amazing kids here in Union County. I was thrown into my advocacy because I saw that our kids were losing their safe spaces here and I wanted to give not just them but others in our community a place to feel save and to celebrate each other. I'm not a born advocate but I have truly found my voice fighting the hate here. I am honored to be part of an amazing group of humans here. Thank you for allowing me the chance to speak for so many.

Regan Shaw - 2023 Outstanding Activist

Regan is parent of a Union County Public School student. Over the past school year, she became increasing concerned with the anti-inclusivity policies initiated by our public school board and, with others, fought to protect our students. She is a founding member of the Union County chapter of Public School Strong and shares this award with many seasoned activists locally and statewide who have helped fight discrimination in Union County.

Sydney Satalino - 2023 Young Adult Leader

Sydney Satalino is a 18 year old autistic lesbian college student currently pursuing a Motion Pictures degree at Belmont University. Prior to her time at Belmont, Sydney went to Union County schools from kindergarten to twelfth grade, which caused her to struggle to accept herself for multiple things, including her queerness. Sydney became an LGBTQ+ rights activist out of necessity after witnessing many attacks against the community from all aspects of the world, including but not limited to the Union County school board. She has organized various petitions, rallies and TV interviews against homophobic policies and plans to continue her activism but in college and across the nation. Outside of activism, her LGBTQ+ film concept Rebelle has over 24 million views and over 100 thousand followers on social media, and various opportunities that cannot be announced yet have been given to Sydney thanks to the support of her LGBTQ+-dominated fanbase from around the world.

Link to video - https://youtu.be/258Ywe5hmMI

Lillie Auslander - 2023 Youth Leader

Lillie Auslander (she/her they/them) is a sophomore in high school. She is a disabled teen who loves fighting for justice and equality in her community. She loves art and music and wants to be a baker when she grows up. Lillie has grown up having to fight for inclusion, accessibility, and equality in school and everyday life. Because of their struggles and how they overcome them, she feels it is important to pass it forward and teach others how to help stand up and fight for change in their lives. She finds it empowering to fight for something and win and wants to share that feeling, as well as her dream of an accessible and understanding world, with others. She loves animals and has three dogs- Shadow, her service animal, and two pets named Archie and Toby. In her spare time Lillie loves to paint, do archery, write, play, or listen to music, and swim. At school she is in the band and is also the president of the ASL club. Their favorite subjects are English and History.