Urban League of Greater Chattanooga marked the affiliate’s 37th annual Equal Opportunity Day Breakfast on Friday. Community-wide civic leaders, government officials and community members gathered to celebrate inclusion, diversity and empowerment at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
“Advocating for social justice requires dedication and determination,” said Dorothy Grisham, board chair of Urban League of Greater Chattanooga.
“The Equal Opportunity Day Breakfast commends those who work tirelessly to promote inclusion and empower underserved individuals.”
Urban League recognized local, corporate and individual leaders who champion the organization’s mission. Ted and Kelly Alling, Chattanooga Preparatory School, Chancellor Steven Angle and students, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and James McKissic, Sankofa Fund were among the award recipients.
“We are humbled by the continued outpouring of support for our organization,” said Warren E. Logan, Jr., president of Urban League of Greater Chattanooga. “Without our community partners, we would be unable to fulfill our mission of empowering and encouraging underserved individuals throughout the area. This event is a celebration of our shared efforts and the many advocates who deeply believe in equal opportunity and social justice.”
The featured speaker of the event was renowned expert in inclusion, Ben Hasan, who serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Culture, Diversity and Inclusion Officer for Walmart, Inc. In his role at Walmart’s corporate office, Hasan leads a team that is responsible for the continued development of the company’s culture and behaviors that embrace diversity and inclusion. This morning, Mr. Hasan shared ways to develop behaviors that embrace diversity at all levels of a company.
“Ben’s experience fostering inclusion at one of the world’s most influential companies is very inspiring,” said Mr. Logan. “His insight on how to ensure equal opportunity at one of the world’s largest companies is invaluable as we strive to promote diversity at the local level.”
Chattanooga’s Urban League affiliate has hosted this community celebration of inclusiveness since 1983. The event represents the essence of the work that the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga does each day to foster economic empowerment by educating and equipping individuals and families with the resources needed to improve their quality of life. All proceeds from the Equal Opportunity Day Breakfast benefit Urban League’s programs and ensure its ability to continue empowering the community.
For more information on Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, visit www.ulchatt.net. To learn more about Hasan, visit https://corporate.walmart.com/leadership/ben-saba-hasan.