Paul Leonard
Davidson resident Paul Leonard will be honored in Charlotte Tuesday night at the 38th Annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner of the Charlotte Coalition for Social Justice. Mr. Leonard has volunteered with a variety of organizations, including as Habitat for Humanity, and is being recognized as “an advocate for equal housing opportunity and social justice,” according to the coalition.
Tuesday’s event, at 6 p.m. at the Charlotte Westin Hotel, also will honor two others: Franklin E. McCain, a civil rights pioneer and social justice advocate, and Maria Suarez, who will get the group’s “Young Humanitarian” award.
Mr. Leonard, a 1962 Davidson College graduate, is a former Presbyterian minister who also had a long career in the homebuilding industry. Throughout his career, he has helped organize fair housing programs and build affordable housing, both in the non-profit and for-profit worlds.
He is a former president of John Crosland Co., a Charlotte-based real estate company, and was a top executive at Centex, a nationwide home builder. He formerly served on the board of the Charlotte Housing Authority, and now serves on the boards of a variety of businesses and community organizations.
He has long worked with Habitat for Humanity and several years ago served a stint as interim CEO at Habitat for Humanity International.
Mr. Leonard received his bachelor of divinity degree from the University of Chicago in 1965, and an MBA from Emory University in 1981. A member of Davidson United Methodist Church, he is married to Judy Leonard and the father of four.
Event information is available on the coalition website.
Congratulation Paul. You are a true leader and advocate for affordable housing for all. I treasure the time I spent with you on the Habitat Board and the knowledge I acquired from you through that experience. I also thank you and Judy for your service to our community, support of the arts and contributions that make our town a special place. Karen Hennig