Page 56 - BEQ Magazine Vol2 Iss4 V2

“Valuing diversity

is not a new

phenomenon here. It BIG BUSINESS

has been embedded in HAPPENS HERE

our culture for quite FROM

some time.”
DALLAS,
Quintin Dillard, Area Sales Manager, Atlanta, GA . Benji Fleenor, Lead Marketing Manager, El Segundo,
CA .

AT&T social platforms that are integral came along—like cyberbullying. diversity and, more importantly,
to the lives of most youth, AT&T When we see our services used inclusion across the enterprise. TEXAS...
Continued from PAGE 16 connects its customers to the for nefarious purposes, we have a What do you see on the D&I
world. AT&T has a long history responsibility to take some action horizon at AT&T? How will AT&T
Matchmaking on Demand. This tool of looking out for its customers and call it out as wrong. continue to lead the way?
helps diverse suppliers better position through initiatives like the It Can To your point about raising MARCH 20-22 TO
themselves to get subcontracting Wait anti-texting campaign and safe, responsible, thoughtful digital CA: We will be true to our values.
opportunities. It’s been a great now the “There’s a Soul Behind citizens, we have created what we In the case of diversity, this means SUMMIT & SALUTE
success. In 2016, we registered 419 that Screen” film in conjunction call a “digital literacy program.” continuing to forge new paths JOIN FORCES WITH WBENC IN 2018
diverse suppliers and arranged more with Common Sense Media. At the Our external affairs teams go to to celebrate our uniqueness as a DETROIT,
than 100 meetings between prime 2017 Tyler Clement Foundation communities and put on workshops company with a diverse, engaged
suppliers and diverse suppliers. Upstander Legacy Celebration, to demonstrate everything from the workforce. We will also continue to
We are continuing work in other AT&T was honored for its work basics of wireless service to issues empower employees to find their PRESENTING SPONSORS
ways to help give diverse suppliers to end bullying and cyberbullying. like cyberbullying and texting and own paths to be champions of
more opportunities. For example, driving. Nowadays, nearly everyone MICHIGAN
we participated in the Golden How does AT&T support parents grows up with the Internet and diversity.
Gate Business Association (GGBA) in raising safe, responsible, More and more, organizations
Project Impact Builder in San thoughtful digital citizens? mobile communication devices. But are catching on that diverse
Francisco this year. One of the main not everyone understands the digital companies reap rewards. There JUNE 19-21
objectives of our participation was CA: As you said, the It Can world. A lot of people are reluctant have been studies that indicate
for the AT&T Supplier Diversity Wait campaign is an excellent to attempt online services or even diverse companies are more NATIONAL CONFERENCE &
team was to provide technical example of how we looked at one email. The elderly and people living efficient, nimble, and this has a
assistance to the California LGBTQ of our core services—wireless in lower income households are positive effect on shareowner value. BUSINESS FAIR
business community. communications—and determined two groups often excluded from the It also means that top diverse
We also participated in the that there was a potential for people digital world. Some people avoid candidates coming out of college
NGLCC International Business & to be in dangerous situations if they contact with computers because find themselves in demand. That’s
Leadership Conference Expo in didn’t use the service responsibly. they are confused or frightened a great thing for those diverse CO-CHAIRS
Las Vegas for the first time this year. This wasn’t about protecting our about hacking, security and fraud. college graduates. We recruit them
We’ve sponsored NGLCC’s national image, it was about saving lives We try to alleviate those fears and aggressively. Since other companies, DISCOVER
conference for many years, but the and communicating to people that provide useful information to people in our industry and other industries,
Expo was a great experience and no text is worth a catastrophic about how modern communications are looking for diverse talent too, we
provided additional opportunities accident. services can benefit them and need to show those candidates why THE DIFFERENCE
for us to help connect LGBTBEs Smartphones and social media provide convenience, when used AT&T is the company they should
with our supplier diversity team. have made it so easy to connect responsibly. choose. And one of the ways we
with people, but along with that, we do that is by showing them how at
ML: Although AT&T doesn’t make see challenges that didn’t exist 10 ML: It appears that AT&T is AT&T, diversity isn’t just window
the device nor does it provide the years ago—before the smartphone doing a great deal in support of dressing. It’s part of our DNA. 

56 | December 2017 BEQ PRIDE