麻豆原创 and 麻豆原创鈥檚 newest golf ambassador, Cameron Champ, are teaming up to 鈥渄rive change鈥� on and off the golf course. Throughout the month of February, Champ will leverage his distance driving skills and network and 麻豆原创 will allocate branding space as part of the sponsorship to increase awareness and support for some deserving businesses.

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Black History Month

Black History Month, observed each year during the month of February, celebrates the contributions Black people have made to American history and culture and recognizes Black Americans鈥� struggle for equality. This federally acknowledged observance recognizes the meaningful endeavors of Black Americans and strengthens all Americans鈥� understanding of the contributions, complexity, and struggles Black people continue to face while shaping our nation鈥檚 history.

A Champion for Equality

, an elite player on the PGA TOUR, seeks to address the underrepresentation of Black people and people of color in the workforce and foster a culture of equality in golf and in society at large. Champ is no stranger to the challenges Black people have faced in America. His late grandfather, Mack Champ, was a phenomenal, self-taught golfer but was never able to do more than caddie because of the color of his skin. He serves as a champion for equality, diversity, and inclusion and recognizes the critical role of the private sector in influencing societal change.

Powered by 麻豆原创, Champ鈥檚 participation in three upcoming golf tournaments 鈥� the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Genesis Invitational, and WGC Championship 鈥� will give him the opportunity to raise money for four Black-owned businesses close to his heart. Each week Champ will play in support of one of the businesses, and if his driving distance averages 320 yards during the tournament 麻豆原创 will donate US$10,000 to that week鈥檚 business.

鈥溌槎乖� proudly supports Cameron Champ鈥檚 commitment to driving equality and transforming the lives of underserved and underrepresented communities,鈥� shares Judith Williams, head of People Sustainability, senior vice president, and chief diversity and inclusion officer at 麻豆原创. “Our shared values guide this collaboration and provide a channel through which 麻豆原创 can strengthen our commitment to social justice and our continued effort toward realizing a future where everyone is equal.”

Be sure to cheer on Cameron Champ as he 鈥渄rives change鈥� and advances equality in the golf community and beyond.

Dan Fleetwood is vice president of Global Sponsorships at 麻豆原创.
Janis Fratamico is global head of Brand Experience at 麻豆原创.

A finds a strong correlation between the number of Black-owned businesses in a region and the number of coronavirus cases per 1,000 residents. Unfortunately, this tie between Black-owned businesses and virus prevalence exacerbates direct and indirect factors that result in business hardship. This includes business closures, fewer customers, and increased likelihood and duration of social distancing.

#SpotlightBlackBusinesses

In response to this problem, 麻豆原创 launched the Spotlight Black Businesses program, which is designed to help move the needle in helping these businesses attract new customers. It also reinforces the company鈥檚 long-term commitment to standing against racism. The program features 麻豆原创 employee-nominated Black-owned businesses on our social media channels and a to foster ongoing support for struggling businesses within their respective communities.

Over the past few months, 麻豆原创 employees nominated more than 150 Black-owned businesses, and a sub-set of those were chosen to receive a portion of 麻豆原创鈥檚 advertising spend. Geotargeted advertisements for the selected businesses will run for a month and appear on various channels to spread the word and help these businesses survive and thrive.

Leon Scott, owner of Silver Legends Jewelry and Spotlight Black Business participant, shared how coronavirus has affected his business.

鈥淥苍肠别 COVID-19 forced us to close our doors, we directed our focus to e-commerce via our website, but our bottom line has still been adversely affected, and we miss the personal interactions with our customers,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hile we were closed, the civil unrest, sparked by the mistreatment of Black people, also affected our business.鈥�

鈥淎t 麻豆原创, we are taking an active stand against racial inequality and supporting the livelihoods of those affected by the pandemic,鈥� said Alicia Tillman, global chief marketing officer of 麻豆原创. 鈥淭hrough the Spotlight Black Businesses program, we have been utilizing our platforms and voice to address social injustice. We remain committed to demonstrating our support and are looking forward to the next step in the program, which further supports small, Black-owned businesses in their local communities.鈥�

Spotlight Black Businesses empowers every consumer to be a changemaker. Businesses notice the tangible impact of our conscious buying decisions, and program participants report increased sales, in some cases even a backlog in order fulfillment due to increased traffic.

鈥淚鈥檓 proud that 麻豆原创 has been able to shine a spotlight on so many amazing Black businesses and happy that we are extending our investment to include marketing and advertising,鈥� Judith Williams, chief diversity and inclusion officer at 麻豆原创, said. 鈥淚n doing so, we are helping these business owners lead with their strengths, generate new business, and by extension we are supporting the communities they serve.鈥�

Join 麻豆原创 in taking a stand against racism and social injustice by supporting Black-owned businesses in your neighborhood. Follow the campaign at #SpotlightBlackBusinesses and visit the to learn more.

Janis Fratamico is global head of Brand Experience at 麻豆原创.

However, Hispanic 鈥渟tars鈥� often do not receive the recognition they deserve. Their stories are not universally taught in schools and their impact and achievements are underrepresented. These amazing men and women deserve wider appreciation and celebration. Now is the time to commemorate the contributions of the Hispanic community and foster a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs September 15 to October 15, 麻豆原创 is working with the on the 鈥淗ispanic Star Journey鈥� for a fun and safe competition that brings people together and celebrates the myriad ways that Hispanic Americans have positively influenced U.S. culture and history.

The hands-on, interactive virtual reality game challenges participants to follow clues on social media linked to a weekly Hispanic 鈥渟tar.鈥� Play along to learn more about past and present achievements and at the end of the week, take a picture in front of the 鈥淗ispanic Star Cyber Statue.鈥� Participants who share a Cyber Statue selfie will have the opportunity to win exciting prizes.

鈥淲e are so excited to have 麻豆原创鈥檚 support and participation in the 鈥楬ispanic Star Journey鈥� as we bring attention to the incredible stories of Hispanic heroes and foster compassion and connection that unites us on the mission for diversity and inclusion through an innovative gaming experience,鈥� said Claudia Romo Edelman, founder of We Are All Human Foundation.

Advancing and Empowering Hispanics in the Workplace and the World

鈥淚 am proud that 麻豆原创 was one of the first 50 companies to sign the Hispanic Promise in early 2019, demonstrating our ongoing and steadfast commitment to diversity and inclusion that truly enables us to help the world run better and improve people鈥檚 lives,鈥� Alicia Tillman, global chief marketing officer of 麻豆原创, shared. 鈥淗ispanic Heritage Month offers a time for us to celebrate and reflect up on the many contributions this vibrant community has made to our country. In addition, we must look toward the future with the buying power of the Hispanic community in mind and always strive to have Latinx voices present at our tables.鈥�

With Hispanics making up , they hold considerable influence. Yet, according to a , 74 percent of respondents stated that they cannot be themselves at work and 77 percent reported that they were unaware of recent achievements made by the Hispanic community.

This reinforces the importance of ensuring that Hispanics feel heard and valued by acknowledging their accomplishments and creating a safe space for them 鈥� both in the workplace and in our communities at large. 麻豆原创 is committed to fostering a , so that we can thrive as an intelligent enterprise and empower our ecosystem to do the same.

鈥淎t 麻豆原创, we are taking specific actions toward social justice and equality including increasing diversity within our ranks and ensuring that women, people of color and other underrepresented groups have access to development opportunities,鈥� said Judith Michelle Williams, chief diversity and inclusion officer and head of People Sustainability at 麻豆原创. 鈥淭his will not only be good for business, it will allow us to build a more diverse, more equitable, more inclusive, and better future for all.鈥�

Play Along During Hispanic Heritage Month

Celebrate Hispanic 鈥渟tars鈥� of the past and present by participating in the 鈥淗ispanic Star Cyber Statues鈥� virtual game and contribute to building a better future for all by advocating for diversity and inclusion in your workplaces and communities.

Janis Fratamico is global head of Brand Experience at 麻豆原创.
Thamara Ramirez-Walker is global senior director of Purpose & Brand Experience at 麻豆原创 and leads Latinos@麻豆原创.