Baton Rouge, LA (August 30, 2023) – The Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) yesterday announced winners of its Diversity Star Award at its second annual Economic Inclusion Symposium presented by DOW. DNA Workshop received the award for the small business category, and Cox Communications received the award for the large business category.
BRAC created the Diversity Star Award with a goal of highlighting exceptional business practices taking place in the Capital Region that leverage the value of diversity in organizations. The award seeks to honor and recognize regional businesses that have championed diversity and inclusion at their businesses or in the community.
“Competition was strong this year with many applicants sharing interesting and impactful diversity and inclusion practices implemented at their businesses. It was exciting to have such a tough decision at hand, knowing that many businesses in our community are prioritizing DEI through hiring practices, mentorship programs, and community assistance,” said Evon Roquemore, chair of BRAC’s Economic Inclusion Council and CEO of Bright. “Join me in recognizing Cox Communications and DNA Workshop for their outstanding commitment and demonstration of diversity and inclusion efforts that are truly making an impact.”
DNA Workshop was selected for its dedication to recruiting, hiring and developing a diverse group of individuals in terms of gender, race, sexual orientation, culture and nationality. Specific practices include its supplier diversity, percentage of diverse employees, and their commitment to addressing affordable housing which disproportionately affects minority populations.
“We are honored to receive this award and want to thank the Baton Rouge Area Chamber,” said Dyke Nelson, Managing Member for DNA Workshop. “I am so proud of our team and feel blessed to have such a wide variety of viewpoints and experiences to draw from to inform our design and how we run our business. There is nothing more gratifying than working with them every day and seeing the tremendous work they do tirelessly in Baton Rouge and around the country.”
Cox Communications was selected for its exceptional diversity, equity and inclusion practices within the company and the community. Specific practices include its executive inclusion, diversity and equity objective, which aims to improve the representation of people of color at the associate vice president level by 5% and the representation of women at the director level by 2%, and its supplier diversity team, which offer programs including the Small Business Leadership Academy, certification assistance, and minority business mentoring.
“I would like to thank the Baton Rouge Area Chamber for this recognition and for its intentional work in championing diversity and inclusion,” says Anthony Pope, Senior Vice President and Region Manager for Cox Communications. “Diversity and inclusion are part of our DNA at Cox. While there’s still ground to build a better future that’s even more inclusive, I’m proud of the steps we’ve taken to create a culture where we are bringing together diverse perspectives to drive innovation.”
Learn more about BRAC’s economic inclusion initiatives at brac.org/diversity.
About the Baton Rouge Area Chamber
The Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) is an aggressively ambitious regional economic development organization with a bias for action. BRAC seeks to push Baton Rouge beyond the status quo, unleash its potential, and support a vibrant business community that believes the finish line does not exist. BRAC seeks to accelerate economic opportunity in the Baton Rouge Area, for everyone, through BRING IT! Baton Rouge, its five-year, regional strategic plan. Learn more about BRAC at brac.org.
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