The Charlotte Hornets honored Charlotte Regional Business Alliance President and CEO Janet LaBar as part of its Social Justice Power Forward program, an initiative launched last season by Hornets Sports & Entertainment to recognize local leaders who are making a difference in the community through their work to improve access to opportunity and resources. Recipients are recognized for powering through obstacles and pushing forward a positive impact.
As CEO of the CLT Alliance, LaBar is leading its charge to ensure the Charlotte Region is the most vibrant, innovative, and healthy economy in the nation. The CLT Alliance distinguishes itself as the voice of business and the only regional economic development organization that grows the economy, advocates for business, and convenes diverse stakeholders across the City of Charlotte and 14 counties in North and South Carolina.
LaBar has more than 20 years of experience in regional economic development across the United States. She serves on the boards of Charlotte Center City Partners, the Charlotte Sports Foundation and Central Piedmont Community College, as well as the UNC Charlotte College of Computing and Informatics Dean’s Advisory Board. LaBar is also a member of the Charlotte Industrial Roundtable for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and the International Economic Development Council’s Equitable Economic Development Playbook Advisory Committee, and she is the Charlotte market lead for the Southern Communities Initiative.
LaBar is the second individual to be recognized this season, joining Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Crystal Hill. Five times throughout the season, this program will work to bring to light all the work community leaders are doing through the activation of numerous events and initiatives that dive deeper into both raising awareness while simultaneously helping provide support.
