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Shannon Brown takes FedEx’s Diversity & Inclusion message on the road

by Shannon A. Brown — 

We salute the Center for being a champion of enlightenment for people of all ages and backgrounds. And it’s truly an honor for us to serve as the presenting sponsor of “FedEx Free Day” where all visitors to the museum are receiving free admission.

FedEx became a supporter of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in 2018 with the first Free Admission Day as part of the MLK50 tribute. On that day, the Center saw its highest attendance ever. Because it was such a huge success, we decided to work with the Center to keep the momentum going.

And while FedEx is delighted to host a free admission day to the public, we understand that education and awareness must be ongoing. That’s why we’re pleased to announce our inaugural sponsorship of the “Voice to the Voiceless” gallery here at The Center.

The FedEx Gallery will feature items from the Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection. Visitors will have the opportunity to view personal papers and artifacts of Dr. King, including handwritten drafts of some of his well-known speeches and sermons. …

(Photo: Johnathan Hillyer; Design: Pentagram)

And speaking of Dr. King’s legacy, FedEx also hosted free admission days on the Martin Luther King Day of Service last month at several locations including:

  • The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis;
  • Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, AL;
  • Birmingham Civil Rights Institute;
  • and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson.

To ensure that visitors learn more about Dr. King’s impact upon the world, FedEx also became the presenting sponsor of the Martin Luther King Reflection Park in downtown Memphis. From year to year, present and future generations will be able to view permanent artwork that defines the King legacy.

(Photo: Jonathan Hillyer; Design: Pentagram)

Our FedEx sponsorships are a part of our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion. As a technology-smart business, our network serves more than 220 countries and territories. And because our relationships extend across communities, countries and cultures, treating all people with dignity and respect is a part of our DNA.

And we’re pleased that our Diversity focus has earned us recognition as one of Black Enterprise’s Best Companies for Diversity; Fortune Magazine’s Best Workplaces for Diversity, and Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity. However, despite our awards and recognitions, we know that Diversity and Inclusion must remain a work in progress.

That’s why in 2016, FedEx set a goal of investing $200 million in 200 communities around the world by 2020. And as of today, we’ve invested $157 million in more than 134 communities. Last year, our company also spent more than $9 billion with diverse businesses.

We’re also giving back to our communities through such programs as the National Urban League, the NAACP, Black Enterprise, the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative, the UNCF, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and many other programs.

Through our Employment Pathways Program, we’re helping underserved youth and their families to navigate the college application process and we’re training people for in-demand jobs in technology and logistics.

I hope you’ll enjoy one of the new exhibits here at the Center called “Breaking Barriers: Sports for Change” that’s done in partnership with ESPN. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the work of our sports heroes in civil and human rights.

I also want to tell you a bit about our FedEx connection with the Super Bowl.

FedEx has been the Official Delivery Service Sponsor for the NFL and the Super Bowl for 19 years! We’re the shipper that delivers the famous “Vince Lombardi Trophy” each year to the Super Bowl.

Once again, FedEx is proud to host this special journey into history and enlightenment here at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

 

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