Minorities in Business leader to step down

Minorities in Business of Southwest Missouri Executive Director Samuel G. Knox is stepping down to focus on his monthly newspaper.

Knox plans to exit the networking and advocacy group at month's end, according to a news release. He cited plans to spend more time on Unite of Southwest Missouri, a newspaper he co-founded in 1988 to provide an alternative to the stereotypical and sometimes negative depictions of African-Americans in local news media. Knox also is seeking more family time.

"Working with MIB has been very rewarding and a tremendous opportunity for me to lead this groundbreaking organization that has made a clear and positive impact on the Springfield minority business community," Knox said in the release. "I have enjoyed cultivating the strategic relationships to move this organization to the next level."

Knox became executive director of MIB in 2016 after previously starting with the organization as board treasurer in 2009. He'll remain a member of the group.

"We appreciate his service and what he has been able to do for MIB in so many different ways," MIB board President Wes Pratt said in the release. "We wish him luck in all of his future endeavors."

Knox deferred comment to Pratt on MIB's plans for a successor. Pratt could not be reached for comment by deadline.

MIB ranked No. 11 on Springfield Business Journal's 2020 list of the area's largest general networking groups, with 105 members as of May 11. The organization was founded in 2009.

Its mission is to bring opportunities to minority- and women-owned businesses through advocacy, networking and capacity building. One of Knox’s main goals has been to significantly increase the number of minority-owned businesses in Springfield, according to past reporting.

Knox is scheduled for a May 18 live interview in SBJ's 12 People You Need to Know series with Editorial Director Eric Olson.