Jacksonville, Florida-based Southeastern Grocers Inc., together with the SEG Gives Foundation, has announced this year’s award recipients for the Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant Program.
The corporate initiative supports deserving nonprofits in the fight for racial equity and social justice and addresses widespread disparities in education, food insecurity and health care.
The awards were made on Oct. 29, the 102nd birthday of the grant’s namesake.
The receiving nonprofit organizations are:
- American Heart Association;
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of NE Florida;
- Boys & Girls Club of Broward County;
- Boys & Girls Club of Palm Beach County;
- Communities in Schools of Jacksonville;
- Covenant House New Orleans;
- Girl Scouts of Gateway Council;
- Grace Medical Home;
- Hope Haven;
- Jacksonville Humane Society;
- Junior Achievement of North Florida;
- MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation;
- Orlando Community and Youth Trust;
- Police Athletic League of Jacksonville Inc.;
- Sanctuary of NE Florida Inc.;
- Schoolyard Roots;
- Society of St. Andrew;
- Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR);
- TANKPROOF;
- Teach for America;
- Tree Hill Nature Center;
- Vision is Priceless Council Inc.; and
- Women’s Breast & Heart Initiative, Florida Affiliate Inc.
“Southeastern Grocers is a people-first company that proudly celebrates our differences as our greatest strength,” said Elizabeth Thompson, chief people officer. “We sincerely honor Ms. Romay with gratitude as we continue to gain inspiration from her persevering spirit and amazing story of finding authentic purpose – even in the face of adversity. On Ms. Romay’s 102nd birthday, and every day, we hope the legacy of this grant helps to inspire these deserving organizations and others to continue empowering our communities.”
The mission of the Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant Program is to provide essential funding to organizations that equally support inclusivity and take meaningful action to help combat social injustice by bridging the gap of inequities faced by many individuals, families and communities.
As SEG continues to invest in its commitment to workforce inclusion and unity in the community, the grocer recently hosted its first We SEG Conference, an event featuring a diverse panel of experts offering educational and interactive insights on developing inclusive workplace environments, training for creating a culture of belonging and other initiatives addressing pertinent and relevant equity concerns.
The inaugural event, which shared fresh perspectives and actionable practices for guests, was well-received with nearly 600 attendees.
Davis set example
The namesake for the Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant Program is 102-year-old Winn-Dixie associate Romay Davis. During a time when women and people of color faced restricted rights, Davis consistently broke barriers by challenging society’s limited beliefs with unfathomable accomplishments, such as being a WWII Private First-Class veteran, NYU multi-degree scholar, New York fashion designer and model, Taekwondo Black Belt, community advocate and much more.
At the age of 80, Davis rejoined the workforce as a Winn-Dixie associate. After two decades of working for the grocer, Winn-Dixie’s parent company, Southeastern Grocers, honored her as the namesake of a program that supports the fight for racial equity and social justice. Ms. Romay’s life is an inspiration to all and her incredible legacy will live on through the Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant.
SEG, the parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is one of the largest conventional supermarket companies in the U.S.
