• Community Renewal Wins $1 Million Opus Prize

In honor of founder Mack McCarter, Community Renewal International has been awarded a $1 million prize from the Opus Prize Foundation.

Community Renewal was one of three global finalists for the esteemed Opus Prize. Each year a Laureate is chosen from the three finalists and the 2022 winner was announced on Nov. 3 at the convocation at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. The other finalists were from Ecuador and Nigeria.

The Opus Prize is given not only to expand the humanitarian efforts of the recipient but to inspire others to pursue lives of service. The $1 million award and two $100,000 prizes make up one of the world’s largest faith-based awards for social entrepreneurship.

Opus Prize laureates combine the spirit of innovation with amazing faith to inspire long-term, local solutions to address poverty and injustice. Opus Prize laureates prove change is possible, empowering and inspiring us all. Opus Prize finalists are leaders who carry an unshakable faith, believing the problems they see around them not only can be resolved -- they will.

Kerry Alys Robinson is the executive partner for global and national initiatives at Leadership Roundtable and the Executive Director of the Opus Prize Foundation.

“The 2022 Opus Prize finalists exemplify faithfilled leadership through service and indefatigable dedication to alleviating human suffering. We are edified, ennobled and inspired by their example, and the world is more loving, healthier, and peaceful as a consequence of their work,” she said.

Community Renewal is a movement of hope helping restore our lives’ relational fabric and create safe, connected and caring communities. Founded in 1994, Community Renewal restores the foundation for safe and caring communities by building intentionally caring relationships. Three primary strategies -- Renewal Team,

Haven House and Friendship-- are used to turn neighborhoods into safe havens of friendship and support. Major crime has dropped an average of 55 percent in our Friendship House areas.

• LABI Names Shreveport Chamber Economic Development Partner of the Year

As part of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) recent announcement of its 2022 Free Enterprise Award winners, the Greater Shreveport Chamber was announced as the recipient of the 2022 Economic Development Partner of the Year Award. The award recognizes “exceptional leadership by an economic development or business organization.”

“The Free Enterprise Awards are a chance for us to celebrate the job creators and changemakers that are making Louisiana a better place to work, live and raise a family,” said LABI President and CEO Stephen Waguespack. “Each of this year’s winners have made a profound impact on the Louisiana business community, and we are proud to honor their service.

The Free Enterprise annual awards recognize LABI members who demonstrate exemplary commitment and contributions to the state’s business climate and their local communities.

“We are honored to be recognized by LABI for our partnership this year,” stated Dr. Timothy Magner, president of the Greater Shreveport Chamber. “We appreciate how critical it is that all of our Chambers and Economic Development organizations work together to improve our local, regional and state economy, and we are grateful to be highlighted for our engagement in that effort.”

The Shreveport Chamber was honored along with the other winners on Nov. 10 at the 2022 Free Enterprise Awards: Business and Boots, presented by b1BANK in downtown Baton Rouge.