Awards to honor minority business leaders

Springfield networking group Minorities in Business next week will honor four individuals for their efforts to promote economic development and business opportunities for area minority businesses and entrepreneurs.

Scheduled Feb. 19 at the Howard Johnson conference center, 3333 S. Glenstone Ave., the third annual Minorities in Business Heritage Awards recognize honorees for advocacy, networking, community development and capacity-building efforts, according to a news release.

Award recipients:

• Charlotte Hardin, assistant to the head of the professional education unit for diversity initiatives and strategic planning at Missouri State University, has been selected to receive the Achievement Award, recognizing her leadership at MSU, in the Springfield community and on the state level.
• Brenda Ryan, president and owner of Springfield-based remanufacturing company Alliance Industries LLC and Wixom, Mich.-based warehousing and distribution company Ryan Industries Inc., will receive the Small Business Personal of the Year Award.
• Phil Snider, senior minister at Brentwood Christian Church and founder of the Greater Springfield Center for Diversity and Reconciliation, has been chosen to receive the Advocacy Award.
• Rosalyn Thomas, a Springfield educator and civic leader, will be recognized with the Community Service Award for her work with organizations including the Springfield Community Center and Springfield Public Schools.

“It is important to recognize these outstanding Springfield citizens who, by their exemplary efforts, have contributed to making this a better community in which to conduct business and promote economic development, said John Oke-Thomas, president of Minorities in Business and owner of Oke-Thomas & Associates Inc., in the release.