PENN Entertainment, Inc’s Post

In preparation for National Black Business Month, I wanted to share an article I wrote in 2021 addressing inequity in Atlanta’s philanthropic community; particularly during the pandemic. The data at the time revealed that 74% of funding went to white-led organizations, while only 10% went to organizations founded by Black women. We have made headway since I first wrote this piece; the conversation has expanded and informs how we support our black women executives through our Legacy Leadership program currently hosted at the Lola.  However, the data continues to illustrate the inequity in funding allocation towards Black women-led organizations. I am honored to have led this close examination of Atlanta’s giving practices. Collaborating with local powerhouses: Sagirah Jones, Kate Little, Wande Okunoren-Meadows, Cicely Garrett, Malaika Wells, and Yonina Gray, MBA to address these deep-rooted biases and broken processes was a dream come true. Check out our recommendations on the link below for better operational strategies as we move forward. 🙌 https://lnkd.in/g2ERE7nx

As Black History Month comes to a close, we at The Fresh Market are thrilled to reflect on the enriching experiences and insightful discussions we've had throughout February, thanks to our dedicated Business Resource Group, BLLAC (Boldly Learning, Leading, & Achieving Collectively). In line with our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and fostering meaningful dialogue, BLLAC spearheaded a series of events and initiatives aimed at honoring the profound contributions of Black individuals to our collective history and society. To culminate this remarkable month, BLLAC organized an inspiring event titled "Lifting Fresh Voices." During this engaging panel discussion, our esteemed team members had the opportunity to share their career journeys, aspirations, and the inspirations that drive them forward. It was a moment to celebrate the diverse voices within our organization and to recognize the unique perspectives that each individual brings to the table. The "Lifting Fresh Voices" panel exemplified our commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices and providing a platform for meaningful dialogue. It was a reminder of the importance of listening, learning, and fostering an inclusive environment where every team member feels valued and empowered to succeed. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the panelists who shared their stories and insights and to everyone who participated in making this event a resounding success. #thefreshmarket #BlackHistoryMonth #Empowerment #DiversityAndInclusion #Teamwork #InclusiveCulture

“You can’t really know where you are going, until you know where you have been.” - Maya Angelou Black History Month is a celebration and occasion to honor and reflect upon the extraordinary contributions, resilience, and achievements of Black individuals throughout our history which formed the rich embroidery of African American history. This February, employee-owners from ESA’s Black and African American Employee Resource Group are sharing some of the pivotal moments, trailblazers, and cultural milestones in African American history, with the firm. “By commemorating the legacy of Black history, we not only pay homage to the struggles and triumphs of the past, but also draw inspiration to propel us forward in the ongoing pursuit of justice, equality, and unity,” they shared. Here’s a few of these leaders and moments they shared: Dr. George Washington Carver of Tuskegee University (~1864 - 1943): Dr. Carver's lifelong work in soil and food sciences proved crucial in moving away from the monoculture practices during the years surrounding the Dust Bowl/Great Depression in the 1930's earning him the high regard of prominent men of this time, such as Booker T. Washington, FDR, and even Gandhi. Origins of Environmental Justice: In 1979, attorney Linda McKeever Bullard filed the first environmental discrimination lawsuit in the U.S., Bean v. Southwestern Waste Management. She enlisted the help of her husband, sociologist Dr. Robert Bullard, to research Houston’s placement of the majority of its waste facilities in Black neighborhoods, with little regard for community health. Establishment of Black History Month: President Gerald Ford declared February Black History Month in 1976 to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackHistory #AfricanAmericanHistory #BHM2024

February is #BlackHistoryMonth, a time to celebrate and honor the immeasurable contributions, both past and present, that African Americans have made to the United States. We want to recognize the importance of Black History Month, in solidarity and in appreciation of the African American community and our colleagues. Lawrence Group has a number of initiatives in place to support our DEIB efforts. Our Business Resource Groups (BRGs) are dedicated to supporting a positive internal and external culture, with teams dedicated to Inclusion, Recognition, and Engagement programming. Lawrence Group also maintains hiring goals to ensure a diverse pool of talent in our organization, with over 80% of our 2023 new hires representing diverse backgrounds. Beyond our internal initiatives, Lawrence Group provides extensive support to cultivate new and diverse talent within our industry. We are a diamond sponsor of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) HBCU development program. We are also a sponsor of Project Connect, an initiative to provide support and information for students from junior high to college who may be interested in the fields of architecture and design. By providing these resources, we aim to lower the barrier for entry to the field and embrace the possibilities that a truly diverse talent pool can offer. We understand the historic inequity in our industry and in our nation, and we are deeply committed to representing all members of our community in our work. While this month highlights Black Americans, our dedication to all underserved populations is unending. #BlackHistoryMonth2024 #DEIB #LawrenceGroup #Diversity #Equality #Architects #Architect #InteriorDesign #Design

This Black History Month, under the theme "Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build,” Shift Health would like to shine a light on the incredible work and impact of the BlackNorth Initiative (BNI). In response to the pressing need to eradicate systemic racism against Black Canadians, the BlackNorth Initiative is steadfast in its mission to end anti-Black racism. By employing a business-focused approach, they are actively dismantling systemic barriers that disproportionately affect Black people in Canadian business. This is what building a future looks like. In 2020, Shift Health signed the CEO pledge to remove anti-Black systemic barriers, and we've been partnering with BNI since. Our commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) is synergistic with their dedication to driving tangible change and we are proud to support their work. Please allow us to share some of our of team members’ BNI experiences. Martin Thame, PMP, SPHRi, SHRM-SCP Elisa Porfilio Don Walkinshaw Charles Khoury #blackhistorymonth #bhm2024 #AScienceMindset  #IDEA #RealChange

Tomorrow, join Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Diverse Dialogues, Black Voices Affinity Group as they discuss the industry needs in 2024. How can we bridge the gap of Blacks in the public relations profession and leadership roles?

At Haven Tower, we believe in the power of diversity and inclusion every day of the year. As we commemorate Black History Month, we honor the contributions, achievements, and resilience of Black individuals throughout history and within our communities. This month, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering a world where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We celebrate the achievements and successes of Black professionals in the financial services industry and beyond, recognizing that diversity is not only a moral imperative, but also a strategic advantage in the financial sector, fostering innovation, creativity, and better outcomes for all. Our firm and its team members remain steadfast in our dedication to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the wealth management industry. We are committed to amplifying diverse voices, supporting minority-owned businesses, and fostering opportunities for underrepresented communities to thrive. Let's celebrate the past, embrace the present, and work together to build a more inclusive, equitable and just future. #BlackHistoryMonth #WealthManagement #DiversityandInclusion #FinancialIndustry #Leadership #Equity #Empowerment #Innovation #HavenTowerGroup

Recent riots across the country highlight the need to accelerate action towards inclusion and equality. Businesses have a moral and legal duty to ensure that their workplaces provide safe spaces for all employees. Doing so can also maintain high workplace satisfaction, mitigate risk from failing to comply with the 2010 Equality Act, attract and engage the right talent, and boost creativity and innovation, enabling increased profits. In 2020, following the Black Lives Matter protests, the UN Global Compact Network UK hosted a BLM webinar series and published a report outlining seven key challenges faced by businesses and actions they can take to overcome them. Access the series and the report here: https://lnkd.in/gWQQTJt

Good News: In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, promotions for Black employees skyrocketed across the board, even overperforming against the average in some places. Bad News: The pressure has subsided, and things have slipped back According to McKinsey in 2021, 130 Black men were promoted to C-suite positions for every 100 men. By 2022, that had dropped back down to 74. This tells us two things: Equity and equality are achievable when intention and effort are put in. Social awareness of inequality is an effective driver of DIBEC initiatives. Leaders, you can be the change here, through regular and honest analysis of your business followed by specific and intentional action. DIAL Global’s 2024 Diversity Report is launching in a couple of months, and participating will not only help us build a complete picture of DIBEC in 2023/24, but will also earn you a free session with one of our experts and a personal scorecard on your own organisation’s progress. Link in the comments to join! 👇