2024 Minority Business Opportunity Awards Honorees Announced

Shreveport, LA- On Wednesday, June 13, an assembly of over two hundred individuals convened at the annual Minority Business Opportunity Awards. This auspicious gathering was hosted by the Greater Shreveport Chamber to honor exceptional local businesses and professionals. The event took place at the iconic Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino.

Recognizing Leaders in the Local Business Community

During the event, dozens of notable attendees and businesses were recognized for their contributions towards leadership empowerment and community development. The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Maxine Sarpy, while Yokem Toyota was crowned the Business of the Year.

According to the organizers, the annual awards ceremony, now in its twentieth year, is a platform to celebrate those who serve the Shreveport area. Speaking about the essence of the event, the President of Shreveport Greater Chamber, Tim Magner, expressed, “Being able to identify and recognize people who are making a huge impact, makes us feel good because we are able to identify those diamonds, those folks who are making that impact.”

Prominent Honorees

The event also recognized the following outstanding businesses and professionals:

Emerging Business of the Year Honorees

• Circle M Productions – Madison Keen
• High Gravity Glassworks – Michelle Pennington
• Kids College STEAM Early Learning Center – Dr. Katraya Williams & Benji Williams
• TITLE Boxing Club Shreveport – Brent Smith

Small Business Owner of the Year Honorees

• Wesley Eckles – Wesley Eckles State Farm
• Chauncy Horton – SNA Contracting, LLC

Top Business Professional of the Year Honorees

• Lyndsi Alvarez
• Golden A. Ellis
• Kamala Glenn-Taylor, PhD, LMFT
• Marie Nicole Johnson-Watts
• Erin Smith
• Delanee Wade

Non-Profit Professional of the Year Honorees

• Emily Hamann
• Jacob McCarty
• Andrea McKnight
• Dayana Reanez Nye
• Adia Garrick Wells
• Alison Young

Emceeing the prestigious ceremony was KSLA News 12′s general manager, Sacha Purciful.

Encouraging Economic Equality

The Minority Business Opportunity Awards play a crucial role in promoting minority-owned businesses, fostering economic growth, and achieving social equality. This event sends a strong message of inclusion and diversity in Shreveport’s business environment.

By acknowledging the contributions of minority businesses and professionals, these awards aim to motivate and encourage others to initiate more impactful contributions in the community-driven business sector.