From the Springfield Business Journal: BY: GEOFF PICKLE, DIGITAL EDITORgpickle@sbj.net, Posted online July 27, 2022 | 12:02 pm

Community Partnership of the Ozarks Inc. hired Multicultural Business Association leader Darline Mabins for a recently vacated role.

Mabins joins CPO as community diversity and equity director, according to a news release. She succeeds Tyree Davis IV, who relocated to Rockville, Maryland, last month to accept a job as adviser to the city manager for diversity, equity and inclusion, according to a news release.

“I am excited to have her bring her significant experience to this important role. She has the skill set needed to create a cohesive and collaborative approach to making our community more welcoming and inclusive,” CPO President and CEO Janet Dankert said in the release.

In the role, Mabins is responsible for promoting inclusivity in the community, developing and providing DEI training sessions, and working with equity-focused nonprofits to improve services.

Mabins a year ago became the executive director of the Multicultural Business Association, formerly called Minorities in Business. Before that, she was employed by Arvest Bank, where she worked for 17 years as a branch sales manager and regional branch manager.

Reached via email, Mabins said she would stay on in the executive director role at Multicultural Business Association on a contractual basis. The organization additionally plans to hire a day-to-day employee who would report to Mabins and the board of directors, she said.