The Rhode Island Black Business Association, an organization dedicated to the growth and empowerment of minority-owned businesses in the state, announced a series of awards at a ceremony Friday night.
The recipients are:
Joseph A. Caffey, president of the Omni Development Corp. received the John Merrick Pioneer Business Leader Award; Delano (Joe) Brooks, president of Essex Newbury North Contracting Corp. received the George T. Downing Business Leadership Award; Banneker Industries, Inc., received the Allen Brothers Business Award;
Sharon Conrad-Wells, executive director, West Elmwood Housing Development Corp., received the Christiana Bannister Community Service Award, and Chauncey B. Melvin, executive director and independent associate/owner, LegalShield, received the Isaac Rice Entrepreneurship Award.