From Foundation for the Carolinas:

One of our community's premier nonprofit events, the Annual Meeting convenes 1,500 leaders each year from the corporate, nonprofit and civic sectors, for networking and fellowship. We hope you'll join us for what promises to be an inspiring celebration of philanthropy and civic service.

The keynote speaker is chef José Andrés. He is a culinary innovator, television personality and owner of ThinkFoodGroup, as well as a noted advocate for food and hunger issues. World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit he founded, along with #ChefsForPuertoRico, served 3.5 million meals in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. Andrés and World Central Kitchen also responded to Hurricane Florence here in the Carolinas, feeding first responders and those impacted by the storm. Additionally, he was recently nominated for the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize.

Chef Vivian Howard of PBS' A Chef's Life and Chef & the Farmer in Kinston, NC, will lead a conversation with Andrés after his presentation. Howard has also played an important role in relief efforts in eastern North Carolina.