Sharon Moyer
CityView
Fayetteville's 40 Under 40
The Region's Premier Young Professionals Recognition Program
Honoring 40 exceptional leaders under 40 who are making a lasting impact across southeastern North Carolina — through business, government, education, healthcare, nonprofit leadership, entrepreneurship, arts, and community service.
Save the DateClass of 2026 · Announced June 29, 2026
0Honorees Annually
0Years of Celebration
0Counties Represented
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About the Program
Recognizing Excellence. Celebrating Impact.
Fayetteville's 40 Under 40 recognizes outstanding young professionals who are helping shape the future of southeastern North Carolina. Honorees are selected based on professional achievement, leadership, community involvement, innovation, and their overall impact on the region.
Eligible candidates must be under the age of 40 and live or work within the program's service area, which includes Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Moore, Robeson, and Sampson counties.
The program highlights emerging leaders across a wide range of industries while fostering collaboration, visibility, and regional pride.
The Eight Counties
- Bladen
- Cumberland
- Harnett
- Hoke
- Lee
- Moore
- Robeson
- Sampson
Southeastern · North Carolina
The History
Continuing a Legacy of Excellence
Fayetteville's 40 Under 40 was established in 2011 by Sharon Moyer during her tenure at The Fayetteville Observer — created to recognize and celebrate the region's rising leaders making a lasting impact across southeastern North Carolina.
In 2024, The Fayetteville Observer had considered ending the initiative. Ayana Washington — a member of the Class of 2024 and founder of Book Black Women, Inc. — volunteered to plan that year's ceremony. The success of that effort led the Observer to entrust stewardship of the program to her moving forward.
Today, the program is produced and managed by Ayana Washington and Book Black Women, Inc. in partnership with The Fayetteville Observer, preserving the credibility of the publication while expanding the program into a community-centered celebration of leadership, service, and impact.
"I'm excited to see this initiative continue under Ayana's leadership."
Press Release · Available June 29Editor's Column by Beth Hutson · Available June 29
Ayana Washington
Program Director
Beth Hutson
Editor, Fayetteville Observer
The Process
The Journey to 40 Under 40
From open nominations to a black-tie celebration — every step of the year-long process that culminates in the announcement of the next class.
January
Nominations Open
Community submissions begin region-wide.
March
Nominations Close
Final candidate pool sealed for review.
April – May
Selection Panel Review
Independent jury evaluates every nominee.
June
Honorees Notified & Photographed
Studio portrait sessions for the class.
June 29, 2026
Class Announcement Published
Class of 2026 unveiled in the Fayetteville Observer.
August 1, 2026
Masquerade Awards Ceremony
Black-tie celebration at Holy Trinity.
August 1, 2026
The Class of 2026Masquerade Ball
The Class of 2026 will be celebrated during an elegant masquerade-themed awards ceremony — an evening of candlelight, gold, and the leaders shaping our region's next chapter.
Venue
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
1601 Raeford Road
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Schedule
- 6:30 PM — Cocktail Reception
- 7:30 PM — Awards Ceremony
- After — Masquerade After Party
Get Tickets
Public tickets available July 6, 2026
Dress Code
Black Tie · Mask Encouraged
Guests are invited to arrive in formal attire and a mask of their choosing — a tradition rooted in elegance, mystery, and the unveiling of impact.
Commemorative Plaques
A Lasting Reminder
Book Black Women, Inc. is pleased to offer custom cherry wood commemorative plaques featuring your official headshot and published Fayetteville Observer profile article, professionally displayed beneath a premium acrylic overlay.
Available Sizes
12" x 15" Plaque$150
15" x 18" Plaque$230
These plaques are designed to serve as a lasting reminder of this achievement and make an excellent display piece for your office, business, conference room, or home.
The Jury
Selection Panel
Each year's class is selected through a community nomination process and reviewed by an independent panel of respected regional leaders.
Judge Toni King
Chief District Court Judge
Ebony Warfield-Graham
City of Fayetteville · Ebony Collective
Brian Adam Kline
Artistic Director, Cameo Collective
The Archive
Celebrating Every Class
A growing legacy of leadership. Browse class portraits dating back to the program's founding.
Class of
2011
40 Honorees
Class of
2012
40 Honorees
Class of
2013
40 Honorees
Class of
2014
40 Honorees
Class of
2015
40 Honorees
Class of
2016
40 Honorees
Class of
2017
40 Honorees
Class of
2018
40 Honorees
Class of
2019
40 Honorees
Class of
2020
40 Honorees
Class of
2021
40 Honorees
Class of
2022
40 Honorees
Class of
2023
40 Honorees
Class of
2024
40 Honorees
Class of
2025
40 Honorees
Coming Soon
Class of 2026
Announced June 29, 2026
2026 Class portraits by
Montae Harris (4eignTV) & Aurie Jones (LOL Studios)
Partnership
Our Current Sponsors
Thank you to the organizations powering the Class of 2026. Your partnership makes this celebration possible.
Become a Sponsor
Join the partners powering the Class of 2026
Review the sponsorship info packet, then reach out — we'll tailor a tier to your organization's goals. Sponsorship includes event visibility, print recognition in The Fayetteville Observer, digital promotion, and brand alignment with the region's next generation of leaders.
The Gallery
Moments Worth Celebrating
FAQ
Questions, Answered
Any professional under the age of 40 who lives or works within the eight-county service area and is making demonstrable impact in their industry, community, or both.
Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Moore, Robeson, and Sampson counties — the full Cape Fear and Sandhills region.
An independent panel of respected regional leaders evaluates every nomination against criteria of professional achievement, leadership, community involvement, innovation, and regional impact.
No. Nominations are free and open to the entire community. We believe great leadership should never be gated by cost.
Nominations open every January and close in March. Honorees are announced annually in late June.
Sponsorship tiers range from event partner to presenting sponsor. Submit the sponsorship inquiry form below and our team will share the current prospectus.
Join the Movement
Know Someone Making a Difference?
Help us celebrate the leaders shaping the future of southeastern North Carolina.
Nominations are currently closed. Nominations for the Class of 2027 will reopen in January. Check back then to submit someone making a difference.
Public tickets available July 6, 2026