BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) - One of the true pioneers from the Mississippi Gulf Coast has been recognized for her contributions to our community.
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce awarded Karen Sock the Pat Santucci “Spirit of the Coast” award Tuesday at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino.
Karen Sock is the President and CEO of Sock Enterprises, Inc., where she provides strategic planning, leadership and staff development, team building, board development and related professional services to companies and organizations.
She previously enjoyed a long career as a hospitality and gaming executive with Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., Grand Casinos Inc. and Caesars Entertainment Inc. in Mississippi and Louisiana.
Her 1997 appointment by Harrah’s Entertainment Inc. as general manager of the Original Harrah’s Casino in Tunica distinguished her as the first African American woman in the country to lead operations for a full-service casino owned by a major gaming company.
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In 2013, driven by her passion for expanding opportunities for young people, she co-founded Pathways2Possibilities (P2P) on behalf of the Jackson County Civic Action Committee and America’s Promise Alliance.
P2P is an interactive career-exploration experience for eighth graders and Opportunity Youth ages 16 to 24. Since its launch, more than 124,000 students from 49 Mississippi counties have participated, and the program has expanded to South Carolina and Tennessee.
“Karen’s legacy speaks for itself. Her work has not only impacted those who have worked alongside her and under her leadership, but it will continue to influence generations to come. She has been a true visionary and trailblazer, leaving an enduring mark across our community and communities abroad,” said Jakavious Pickett, President of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
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