FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Dec. 12, 2025

Contact: Kim Walker
Research and Media Relations
704-940-3149

$10,000 in Scholarships also awarded to Area College Teams for
 Innovation in Affordable Housing

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Capping a year of market transitions, collective accomplishments, and strong community service, more than 350 Realtors® gathered on Friday, December 12, at The Revelry Charlotte, for Canopy Realtor® Association’s annual Holiday Awards Luncheon and Meeting. The annual awards luncheon allows Realtors® to pay tribute to outstanding real estate industry and community leaders, association volunteers, and the 2025 Humanitarian, while supporting the Association’s long-standing traditional toy drive.   

During the meeting, Canopy Housing Foundation presented Project Outpour, a nonprofit promoting dignity by providing free mobile shower access and hygiene services to individuals moving through homelessness, with funds raised from the 2025 Strides for Shelter 5K Run+Walk. The race, which was held in late October, raised $30,048 and will support the purchase of a new truck to transport Project Outpour’s mobile shower unit to locations across Mecklenburg County, expanding access to essential hygiene services. In 2024 alone, Project Outpour provided nearly 3,000 showers and hygiene resources while partnering with organizations dedicated to helping guests transition into permanent, supportive housing. To date, the Foundation has given away over $212,000 to nine different beneficiaries through the Strides for Shelter race proceeds, over the course of the race’s nine-year history. 

Realtor® members in attendance at the Holiday Luncheon also participated in Canopy Housing Foundation’s annual virtual auction, which raises funds to help support local unmet housing needs in Mecklenburg, Iredell, and Haywood Counties, and donated toys to Block Love Charlotte, an organization that delivers direct support and resources to area homeless persons.

2025 Humanitarian Award – Attorney Jamilah Espinosa, Esq.
Attorney Jamilah Espinosa, founder and managing attorney of Espinosa Immigration Law Firm, has been named the 2025 Humanitarian by the Canopy Housing Foundation for her extraordinary commitment to justice, community empowerment, and service across the Carolinas. A Charlotte native who dreamed of becoming an attorney from a young age, Jamilah has built her life’s work around advancing the rights and dignity of immigrant communities. Her firm provides compassionate legal support to clients from around the world, helping them navigate the complexities of the U.S. immigration system, secure legal status, and pursue citizenship. Beyond her practice, Jamilah’s leadership as Board Chair of the Latin American Coalition has expanded opportunities for cultural understanding, civic engagement, and inclusion, including her guidance of cornerstone events such as the Latin American Festival and the organization’s annual Awards Gala.

Her humanitarian reach extends deep into rural communities, where she travels monthly to Marion, NC, to offer free immigration consultations through the nonprofit Central Unido. Jamilah has earned numerous distinctions, including Widener University’s Pro Bono Service Award and the iHeart Small Business Award, and her bilingual legal education series, The Live Lawyer, now reaches more than 20,000 viewers. Her expertise has been recognized on WFAE, Telemundo, and in La Noticia, and she leads her firm annually on service trips to Colombia to promote global understanding and humanitarian outreach. A military spouse and mother of two, Jamilah has exemplified resilience while managing her law firm and community work during her husband’s multi-year Marine Corps deployments, including caring for a special-needs child. Her ability to unite civic leaders, volunteers, and local organizations reflects her unwavering belief that humanitarianism knows no borders and no political affiliation.

In Jamilah’s honor, the Foundation will contribute $2,500 to the Latin American Coalition and $2,500 to Central Unido Latino Americano for a total of $5,000 in contributions. 

Jamilah Espinosa, Esq., 2025 Humanitarian Award Recipient

Industry awards

Brian Cagle, 2025 Realtor® of the Year
Brian Cagle, Regional Vice President for the Asheville/Mountain region of Howard Hanna Allen Tate, Realtors®, has been named the 2025 Canopy Realtor® Association Realtor® of the Year, the association’s highest honor. With more than two decades in real estate and deep roots in Western North Carolina, Brian’s career reflects exceptional professionalism, strong ethical leadership, and an unwavering commitment to elevating the Realtor® image. A native of Watauga, Haywood, and Buncombe Counties, his understanding of the region and passion for responsible growth have guided him through key leadership roles, from managing the Waynesville office to overseeing 20 offices and more than 500 real estate professionals across the mountain region. Brian is recognized for his outstanding service to clients, productivity, and his ability to mentor and inspire colleagues across the industry.

Brian’s contributions to the Realtor® community and to Western North Carolina are extensive and enduring. He has held numerous leadership positions at the local, state, and national levels, including President of the Haywood Realtor® Association, President of the Western NC Mountains MLS, member of the Canopy MLS Board of Directors, Chair of the Canopy Governance Task Force, and Director for both the Canopy Housing Foundation and NC REALTORS®. He played an instrumental role in establishing the Foundation’s Western Committee, helping expand its charitable footprint and impact. Beyond the industry, Brian is deeply involved in civic and community service, serving in leadership roles with the Waynesville Housing Authority Commission, the Homeless Task Force, Haywood Christian Ministries, and the Haywood Community College Small Business Advisory Board. Through his leadership, service, and unwavering commitment to the betterment of both the profession and the community, Brian Cagle exemplifies what it truly means to be Realtor® of the Year.

Brian Cagle, 2025 Realtor® of the Year

Elaine Price, 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award
Elaine Price was honored with Canopy Realtor® Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her nearly four decades of exceptional service, leadership, and professionalism. A member since 1987 and a Life Member since 2020, Elaine has played a pivotal role in strengthening the Association through her work on the Grievance Committee, where she served as Chair, and more than six years on the Professional Standards Committee. She helped develop the NOVA (New or Veteran Agent) training program, served as one of the Association’s first mediation officers, and contributed to numerous advisory groups and task forces, including Education, Member Events, MLS Rules, and Strategic Planning. Beyond her extensive association involvement, Elaine has been active in civic and charitable efforts such as Good Friends, KW Cares, and Keller Williams’ annual Red Day, reflecting her long-standing commitment to community service. After a 35-year career as a broker-in-charge and respected leader in the industry, Elaine’s legacy of integrity, mentorship, and dedication continues to inspire Realtors® across the region.

Elaine Price, 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award

Sherri Middleton, Realtor®/broker with Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Heritage, was named the 2025 Vane Mingle Rising Star. The award honors the association’s first executive officer, Vane Mingle, who was also the co-founder of Canopy Real Estate Institute (formerly the Mingle School of Real Estate). The Vane Mingle Rising Star award celebrates the achievements of someone new to the real estate profession who, during their first 12 months of work, has strong sales and has shown dedication and commitment to the real estate profession, the community, and the Association. During her first year of real estate, Sherri distinguished herself early by completing her firm’s rigorous six-week Onboarding Program and four-week GROW Productivity Program. She also participated in a number of Canopy events, education, and professional development opportunities. Sherri is also deeply engaged in community service, volunteering with initiatives such as Pack the Presents, Hero Day, Teacher Appreciation Week, Law Enforcement Appreciation events, and the Special Olympics in the western region/Haywood County area. Her eagerness to learn, consistent service to others, and strong early production reflect her professionalism and promise as a rising leader in the industry. 

The 2025 President’s Award was bestowed upon Janelle Rayford, who served as 2025 chair of the Canopy Housing Foundation Board of Directors. Rayford is a Realtor®/broker with Howard Hanna Allen Tate.

The 2025 Committee Chair of the Year Award was presented to Kristie Ferguson, Realtor® /broker at Ferguson Realty and 2025 Chair of Canopy Realtors® Global Committee.

Innovation Award Winners/Scholarship Recipients
Members also celebrated the winners of Canopy Housing Foundation’s Innovation Award Competition, where four college teams were challenged to develop creative, affordable housing solutions through adaptive reuse. After working with industry mentors and presenting to a panel of experts, Johnson C. Smith University earned first place and a $5,000 scholarship, followed by Central Piedmont Community College in second place with $2,500, and UNC Charlotte in third with $1,500. This year also welcomed the return of Haywood Community College, participating for the first time since Hurricane Helene. Realtors® cast ballots for the Realtors® Choice Award, adding an additional $1,000 scholarship, which was awarded to Central Piedmont Community College, bringing the total scholarships distributed to $10,000. 

For more information, visit www.CarolinaHome.com. For interviews, please contact Kim Walker.

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Canopy Realtor® Association is ranked the 15^th largest association in the country and is the professional trade association that provides services and resources to its membership of more than 14,000 Realtor® members. The Association is dedicated to being the region's primary resource for residential real estate information and operates Canopy MLS, which is ranked the 17^th largest MLS in the country with more than 22,000 subscribers in the Charlotte, Asheville, and Catawba regions, including SC counties and beyond. The Canopy Housing Foundation is the charitable arm of Canopy Realtor® Association and is focused on addressing unmet housing needs. Canopy Real Estate Institute is the official real estate school of the Association, providing members with lifelong learning and professional development.