Three Springfield residents who?ve helped improve the local business environment for minorities were honored Tuesday during the second annual Minorities in Business Heritage Awards ceremony.
?The idea is to recognize people who have made significant progress in our community, to make sure all citizens of Springfield have access to economic opportunities,? said John Oke-Thomas, president of the local Minorities in Business organization. ?There?s always room for improvement. Could we do better? Absolutely.?
The Heritage Awards ceremony took place at Q Enoteca, 308 W. Commercial St. Oke-Thomas said the organization has about 85 members. He estimated there are about 45 minority-owned businesses in Springfield.
Minorities in Business promotes economic development and business opportunities through advocacy, networking, community development and capacity-building for minority businesses and entrepreneurs in the greater Springfield area.
The honorees are:
Denny Whayne. He received the Achievement Award in recognition of his lifelong leadership in the Springfield community. In addition to serving two terms on the Springfield City Council, he has served in volunteer leadership positions for the United Way, Springfield Community Center, Boys and Girls Clubs and Missouri State University. He led the successful effort to have the Benton Street Bridge renamed the Martin Luther King Bridge and was involved in many community betterment efforts including the development of the US 65 bypass corridor, Jordan Valley Health Center, the regional crime laboratory and the regional airport.
In accepting the award, Whayne told the crowd of about 50 people: ?It?s never been about me. I?ve always tried to turn the ?me? upside down and make it ?we?.?
He reflected on his early passion for civil rights and said he thought it was his ?duty to try to make a difference.?
Whayne added: ?Things change. People change. People change things.?
Leslie Anderson. The associate professor at Missouri State University, received the Advocacy Award. During her tenure as interim Vice President in the Office for Diversity and Inclusion at Missouri State, Anderson chaired the Summit for Diversity and Economic Development that engaged 76 community organizations, businesses, faith and educational institutions. She chaired the President?s Commission for Diversity at Missouri State for four years and has been involved in many community activities, including work as a trainer for the Facing Racism curriculum sponsored by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.
Joe Robles. Owner of Joe Robles State Farm Insurance, he received the Community Service Award in honor of his many community activities. He serves on the board of directors of Crime Stoppers for the Greater Springfield Area, the Minorities in Business Executive Council and the Missouri State Vice President?s Commission on Diversity and Inclusion. He serves as marketing chair for BNI-Business By Referral Chapter and is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. Most recently, he has been a leader in the grassroots campaign to educate voters about the E-Verify ordinance.
Minorities in Business initiated its awards last year, recognizing former Social Security Administration district manager Ron Ponds, who received the group?s first Achievement Award. Francine Pratt, former president of the local NAACP and Executive Director of Isabel?s House, received the Community service Award.
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce received the group?s Advocacy Award for identifying a lack of diversity in Springfield as an impediment to economic development. The chamber also held several anti-racism workshops.
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