Mayor's International Community Awards (MICA)

The Charlotte International Cabinet and the Office of the Mayor have hosted the Mayor's International Community Awards (MICA) since 1998. This event honors foreign-owned firms and individuals in the Charlotte region for their outstanding service and contributions to philanthropy and the development of Charlotte's international community.

Individual Award Categories and Criteria

Richard Vinroot International Achievement Award

This award is one of the original MICA recognitions and was named for Mayor Richard Vinroot, who founded the Mayor's International Cabinet, the predecessor of the Charlotte International Cabinet. Vinroot Award winners work for the continued internationalization of Charlotte and our region.

They contribute to efforts that improve the international community here and/or help others abroad in a manner that enhances Charlotte's status as a world-class city. They possess a record of outstanding service to the greater Charlotte community.

Charlotte International Cabinet (CIC) International Entrepreneur Award

This award recognizes businessmen and businesswomen who are naturalized U.S. Citizens who open a business in Charlotte-Mecklenburg or who live in Charlotte-Mecklenburg and have moved their business to our metro region. As mayor of Charlotte, Governor Patrick McCrory established the award to honor those new Americans who exemplify entrepreneurial spirit and pride in their community.

CIC award winners demonstrate outstanding community service, but the primary qualification is that the candidate be an entrepreneur who has made lasting contributions to the Charlotte community through their business activities.

Global Leader Award

This award is given to individuals who embody the spirit of Charlotte's global significance. The award was established by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx while he was mayor of Charlotte.

Global Leader Award winners display strong leadership in Charlotte's international community and cultivate awareness of the growing diversity of Charlotte. Furthermore, honorees evolved from leaders in their respective cultural communities to become leaders of the Charlotte community at large.

Foreign Owned Firm Award Categories and Criteria

Eligible companies must be owned by a foreign entity that is doing business in the Charlotte region. Examples include companies headquartered outside of the US, a subsidiary of a company with foreign owners, etc., with manufacturing, US headquarters, or other operations located here.

The size category (small, medium, large) is based on the number of employees at the company's Charlotte region location.

Nomination and Selection Process

MICA nominations are accepted year-round. To nominate someone for an individual MICA award, please complete the Individual Award Nomination Form and include a short biography of the nominee and two letters of recommendation describing why this candidate should win the award.

All foreign-owned firms located in the Charlotte Region are eligible for nomination. Basic information about the company, its community programs and contacts are needed for nominations and can provided by completing the Foreign Firm Nomination Form.

Finalists are selected by a committee, and then the mayor chooses the winners.

If you have further questions about the MICA Award criteria or nomination process, please contact Alexis Gordon.