C. Hawkins | DC Black Pride 2014

2014 Charlotte Smallwood Volunteer Awardee

C. Hawkins, a true Southern gentleman, is a professionally trained costume and graphic designer as well as an event planner. He studied costume and graphic design at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). C. also studied meeting and event planning at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is a much sought after costume and graphic designer and event planner alike, with his work appearing worldwide.

As an undergraduate at UNC, C. designed more than 30 campus productions culminating with the costume design for Love's Labour's Lost for the World Premier of the Elizabeth Price Kenan Theatre. An avid Tar Heel, C. wanted to stay close to his alma mater after graduation and is currently the manager of student engagement and a secondary graphic designer for The University of North Carolina General Alumni Association (GAA). In this role, C. oversees all of the GAA's interactions with current students. This includes serving as the senior class adviser, adviser to the University's official student ambassadors and to the UNC Student Alumni Association - UNC's largest student organization.

As a result of his work with and on behalf of thousands of UNC students, C. has won numerous awards and accolades. Most recently he was named the 2011 and 2013 Council for Advancement and Support of Education Secondary Affiliated Student Advancement Programs (CASE ASAP) Most Outstanding Adviser and in 2013 he went on to earn the prestigious honor of the CASE ASAP International Most Outstanding Adviser.

C. also serves his alma mater as chair of the student engagement committee for UNC's Black Alumni Reunion. Under his leadership, the committee's signature event – the annual Student Alumni Dinner has grown exponentially over the past three years. Last year's event was record breaking with more than 225 students and alumni in attendance for this impactful networking and enrichment event.

In April of 2014, C. was honored by the Kappa Omicron Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. during their Black Male Appreciation Ceremony. This was a particularly special honor as C. is the first member of UNC's staff to receive the award. Traditionally the honor has been reserved for a member of the faculty, but the chapter felt there was no better time or person than Mr. C. Hawkins and that he should be the inaugural recipient of the new Black Faculty and Staff Appreciation Award.

Outside of UNC, he has enjoyed entrepreneurial success as owner and creative director of his own private design firm, cencational designs. Some of his clients include the Center for Black Equity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., NBA All Star Sam Perkins, North Carolina Central University, Onset Capital Partners and the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education.

C. has enjoyed bringing Southern charm to DC Black Pride as a volunteer for more than 10 years. He has served in several capacities with DCBP including volunteer coordinator, marketing consultant and graphic designer.

C. epitomizes Shirley Chisolm’s quote “service is the rent we pay for living on earth.” He is truly public servant and continually gives back to the community each and every day by enriching the lives of others. In his words “it’s my blessing.”

C. happily resides in Chapel Hill, North Carolina with his dog Kita.