Swisher International is launching an inclusion and diversity initiative at its Jacksonville headquarters that includes a new leadership position, discussions with employees and a business incubator for black-owned businesses.
A news release said that in the past several weeks, the company has been meeting with its employees and black business leaders to find ways to “create meaningful and lasting social change.”
“It’s abundantly clear that our country and corporate America are long overdue in addressing racial inequality,” John J. Miller, president of Swisher International, said in a release. “We’re going to do our part at Swisher by redefining the work we do in three core areas: business, education, and civic participation.”
To start, Swisher appointed Alexandria Deal as its first manager of inclusion, diversity and transformation.
She will create plans to promote diversity within the company.
As part of the company’s overall inclusion strategy, Swisher will help create opportunities for black-owned businesses and recruit students from historically black colleges and universities.
“I’m thrilled to be taking on this new responsibility at Swisher,” Deal said in the release. “With the support of our leadership team, I look forward to helping create change within our business as well as within the communities where we live and work.”
The company also will grow its relationship with Louisville, Kentucky-based NIMBUS, a black-owned marketing and communications firm, the release said. Deal will work with the group to expand Swisher’s audience reach.
Swisher will create an incubator for black-owned companies, which is set to launch in 2021. It will offer business development resources.
