The Winston Salem Chamber Board of Directors has enacted the Richard N. Davis Minority Business Scholarship program to recognize and provide support to minority and women-owned local businesses. The scholarship program will provide Chamber memberships to minority and women-owned businesses and will develop a peer network of local companies to strengthen and build relationships among minority and women business leaders.

The scholarships have been given the Richard N. Davis title in honor of a past Board Chair of the Chamber and active community advocate. Richard Davis served in the US Air Force and worked for the Internal Revenue Service prior to opening his own company, Davis Management Services, in Winston-Salem. Throughout his career, Mr. Davis was active in several civic and nonprofit organizations including the Winston Salem Chamber, United Way of Forsyth County, Winston-Salem Arts Council, the City of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County governments, and more.

Among many accolades and honors, Mr. Davis is the recipient of the Winston-Salem Chronicle’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the Winston-Salem Arts Council’s Outstanding Service Award, and the City of Winston-Salem’s Economic Development Award.

Left to right: Ken Basch, Mark Owens, Richard N. Davis, Mamie Sutphin, Jeff Lindsay

The Richard N. Davis Minority Business Scholarship program replaces the Chamber’s former minority business scholarship program and aims to improve upon the support, resources, and networking opportunities made available to participants.

Mark Owens, Chamber President and CEO, says “Richard is an outstanding community leader and the Chamber is honored to recognize his achievements through the naming of this scholarship. The Chamber’s commitment to supporting minority and women-owned businesses is a top priority which helps the community and the economy thrive. This scholarship will help us to provide more resources that are targeted towards the needs of minority and women-owned businesses.”

Richard Davis, now retired, says “I am honored to be recognized with this scholarship. During my career, the Chamber helped me to grow and succeed in business, and I know that it will do the same for the recipients of the scholarship.”

Funding for the scholarships is supported by Wake Forest University, a long-time partner in the Chamber’s minority business development efforts.