Fearless Farmer, Beekeeper, Wife, and Proud Mom in Winston-Salem, NC. Of over 500 registered farms in Forsyth County, her Mother’s Finest Family Urban Farms is one of just five that are Black owned. “I know that for people in the community, for other Black women, for my children, I’m modeling something they might not have ever seen before. I want to use my platform to teach people and engage different communities.” Winship advocates for food justice and diversity and teaches other families the benefits of farming. The “Queen Bee of North Carolina Honey” is known for her honey, tonics, Scotch bonnet-infused mead, and CSA boxes. With chickens, ducks, rabbits, goats, and emus–yes, those big, Australian birds–her farm is a homeschool hub exposing kids in the community to the world of agriculture and beekeeping. “Beekeeping is about community. Everything we do is community centered. It’s like a little Smurf village.” Originally from Goldsboro, Winship moved back to North Carolina from Chicago in her 30s. Since then, she’s become a Certified Beekeeper, Master Gardener, and successful business owner–not to mention the mother of three boys, the youngest of whom she homeschools on their farm. Clearly, she’s committed to making a mark in her community and beyond. You might wonder where Winship’s inspiration and drive come from. “Bees have taught me so much. Their life cycles are only 22 days, so they have to accomplish everything they can in that window. And look how much impact they have!” Go to her Facebook or Instagram page, and you’ll immediately see that Winship isn’t your typical farmer. Rather, she’s well-known as a stylish trendsetter, a dedicated steward of the land, and a “her-story”-maker for her diligence and persistence. And be sure to check out their “village market” at the farm on Fridays and Saturdays, 1 - 5 PM. Go to MothersFinestUrbanFarms.com to find out more. And get ready for some positivity: “It’s an energy thing. You put good energy out, and it comes back.”

U.S. Marshal for the Middle District of NC; retired Chief of Police, Winston-Salem, NC; Wife and Mother of two. A native of Detroit, Michigan, Thompson earned a B.S. in criminal justice from Wayne State University. After moving to North Carolina “to escape Detroit winters,” she earned her master’s in public administration from Appalachian State and served with the Winston-Salem Police Department for 29 years, becoming Chief in 2017. As Chief, she led the department during times of civil unrest, a global pandemic, a tragic high-school shooting, and an ongoing officer shortage: “It’s what I was born to do.” She’s grateful for the folks with whom she worked every day there, calling them “some of the bravest people I’ve ever been around.” A member of Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church, Thompson currently serves on multiple boards and was recognized by Black Business Ink Magazine as one of the 50 Most Influential African Americans in the Piedmont Triad. Last year she was nominated by President Biden to be a United States Marshal, a role she recently began in January 2023. Regarding her various leadership roles: “I’m a community member, but also a public servant...I came here to serve.” Thompson is the proud mom of two young adults and lives in Pfafftown, NC. She’s married to Alonzo Thompson, a former Assistant Chief of Police in Winston-Salem and now the current Chief of Police in Spartanburg, SC. When asked who inspires her most, Thompson is quick to share the story of her grandparents, Willie D. and Florida Blue, who helped her mom raise Thompson and her three sisters. Her granddad grew up in the cotton fields of Alabama, served in World War II, and then worked at Chrysler in Detroit for 32 years–while Thompson’s grandmother worked in a fish market, cleaning fish. Together, they saved their money, ultimately owning three houses and helping put all four girls through college. Though her grandfather left school in third grade and couldn’t read or write, she says her grandparents were “two of the wisest people I ever met. They had vision and foresight for my mom and her daughters.”

Biscuitville Operator Extraordinaire, Originator of “Breakfast After Dark,” Husband, and Dad of three, Burlington, NC. For 38 of his 42 years at Biscuitville, Bruce has served in a leadership position as an Operator. But he started out in 1981 as a Cook. After a couple of years, he left to join the Army for the next six years and see the world—including Germany, Japan, and Korea. He had a Biscuitville Crew job waiting for him when he returned and soon was promoted to Shift Manager, then Assistant Manager, and then Operator. For over 20 years, Bruce has been the Operator in Burlington, his hometown, on Huffman Mill Road–today our busiest and most profitable location. He’s also responsible for creating our original “Breakfast After Dark” community fundraiser, which has raised money for local organizations and schools for over a decade. A few fun facts about Bruce: Known as the unofficial mayor of Burlington, he’s recognized around town and beyond. Not long ago, he was on family vacation in Myrtle Beach when he heard someone shout, “Hey, that's the Biscuitville man!” He and his wife Tamara actually met at Biscuitville, and today they live about five minutes from his restaurant. The proud parents of two grown sons, they’ve adopted their niece, now a teenager, and are raising her as their own. Be sure to ask Bruce about serving in the DMZ in South Korea; guarding an unmanned train in Germany with snow up to his knees; or standing on stage in his green, dollar-bill suit after reaching a major, company milestone. Despite all his success, Bruce remains humble: “I want people to think of me as a hardworking, honest guy who will help you out.”