Recognitions and awards highlight continued leadership in economic development, entrepreneurship and innovation<\/p>\n
Rodney S. Ridley Sr., Ph.D., RTTP,\u00a0Alvernia University\u00a0Chief Economic, Community and Strategic Development Officer\u00a0has\u00a0been named to the\u00a0City & State Pennsylvania 2026 Black Trailblazers list<\/a>.\u00a0City\u00a0& State will honor\u00a0Ridley\u00a0amongst a group of\u00a0influential Black Pennsylvanians who are making a meaningful impact across the Commonwealth on February 25\u00a0at the Marriott\u00a0Old City in Philadelphia as well as in\u00a0their\u00a0recent magazine issue.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The annual recognition highlights Pennsylvanians who are shattering glass ceilings, setting\u00a0records\u00a0and making history\u00a0across sectors and communities\u00a0statewide,\u00a0according to City & State. Ridley was recognized for\u00a0The\u00a0O\u2019Pake\u00a0Institute\u00a0for Economic Development and\u00a0Enrepreneurship\u2019s\u00a0community impact and its growing national reach, including work supported by a National Science Foundation grant.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBeing named to the City & State Pennsylvania Black Trailblazers list is an honor I share with the many partners, entrepreneurs and students who do this work alongside us,\u201d said\u00a0Ridley.\u00a0\u201cAt\u00a0O\u2019Pake, we measure success by outcomes for people and places:\u00a0helping founders grow, helping students learn through experience and helping communities build stronger, more inclusive economies.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ridley\u00a0was also\u00a0recognized\u00a0as a valued\u00a0Greater Reading\u00a0community leader at a\u00a0Black History Month\u00a0celebration hosted by state Rep. Manny Guzman on Feb. 18.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cDr. Ridley\u2019s well-deserved recognitions are a powerful testament to his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to community-engaged experiential learning and economic opportunity,\u201d said President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. \u201cThrough his transformative work at the\u00a0O\u2019Pake\u00a0Institute and across our Reading and Pottsville\u00a0CollegeTowne\u00a0partnerships, he continues to elevate Alvernia\u2019s impact as a catalyst for innovation, entrepreneurship and meaningful community growth.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n