Sept. 19. Four local businesses and nonprofits were recognized Thursday for their efforts to promote diversity and inclusiveness in their hiring, management and marketing practices.

The 2016 Champions of Diversity winners at the event sponsored by the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce were:

• Charles P. Utz of Merrill Lynch for Lifetime Achievement.
• Angels & Sparrows Soup Kitchen in Huntersville in the nonprofit area.
• Aquesta Bank representing small business.
• MSC Industrial Supply in Davidson as the Corporate Diversity recipient.

Finalists for the honors were, in alphabetical order:

INDIVIDUAL

• John Aneralla, Bulldog Asset Management.
• Al Huntz, We Care Cleaning Services.
• Charles P. Utz, Merrill Lynch.

SMALL BUSINESS

• Aquesta Bank.
• Savvy Salon and Day Spa.
• We Care Cleaning Services.

NONPROFIT

• Angels & Sparrows Soup Kitchen.
• Goodwill Industries.
• Our Towns Habitat for Humanity.

CORPORATE

• Ensemble Health Partners.
• MSC Industrial Supply.
• Novant HealthCare.

Detailed information on the finalists and overall winners is available by visiting the chamber’s website at LakeNormanChamber.org.