Thursday, September 10
On Thursday, September 10, the Triangle Business Journal hosted its Leaders in Diversity Awards Luncheon. The event seeks to recognize the accomplishments of Triangle businesses, individuals, and nonprofits as they strive to reflect the essential, unique array of our community.
Nathan T. Garrett, of Durham, was honored as the recipient of the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Nathan earned his CPA certification in 1961 and became the fifth African-American CPA in Michigan (and approximately the 63rd in the United States). In 1962, he opened his own practice in North Carolina and was the first African-American to do so. After many years and a lot of hard work, the firm became the largest and oldest minority-owned firm in North Carolina. Nathan practiced as a Certified Public Accountant in North Carolina from 1964–2004 and received NCACPA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.
Nathan is founder and former executive director of the Foundation for Community Development (FDC). The FCD, originally formed as part of the North Carolina Fund, was created in 1963 to “break the cycle of poverty” that was plaguing many of North Carolina’s residents. Additionally, he is chairman emeritus of the board of directors for North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance. Nathan has served as president of the National Association of Minority CPA Firms, National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, and the North Carolina Association of Minority Businesses. He also was chairman of the Minority Economic Development Advisory Committee to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.
Mr. Garrett earned an A.B. from Yale University, studied accounting and business at Wayne State University, and earned a J.D. from North Carolina Central University School of Law.