SMU Cox School of Business announces it will be a presenting sponsor of the first-ever Dallas Business Journal’s Leaders in Diversity Awards on Thursday, March 4. Dallas-based law firm Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP is also a presenting sponsor.
The event will honor individuals and organizations for their exceptional commitment to promoting practices that advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace and business leadership.
“The Cox School, with a goal of preparing students of all backgrounds for successful careers in business, believes that celebrating leadership in diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace sends a positive message to the community and our students, who themselves are the next generation of business leaders,” says Steve Denson, assistant dean for diversity at SMU Cox.
For 13 years, the Business Journal’s signature Minority Business Leader Awards event recognized diverse business leaders who held distinguished track records in advocating for others within their communities and workplaces across North Texas. The Cox School’s Ana Rodriguez, managing director of the SMU Cox Latino Leadership Initiative, received the Minority Business Leader Award in 2019. This year's inaugural Leaders in Diversity Awards program expands recognition of efforts across all areas of diversity and inclusion, according to the Dallas Business Journal.
“Amidst significant challenges in many cities across the nation, it has become increasingly important for business leaders to uphold diversity within their organizations,” says Ollie Chandhok, publisher of the Dallas Business Journal. A diverse group of perspectives and experiences can elevate any business and all communities. At the Dallas Business Journal we felt it necessary to recognize leaders – both individuals and organizations, that foster progress towards diversity, equity & inclusion. We’re proud to partner with Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP, and SMU’s Cox School of Business, both exemplary D&I leaders in our community, to launch the 2021 Leaders in Diversity Awards.”
The virtual event will air live on March 4 at 4:15 p.m. CST. Registration is free. Use the code LID2021SMU
In June 2020, the Cox School created a new scholarship fund to give the Cox Community and the greater community an opportunity to contribute to support underrepresented minorities in its graduate and BBA programs. If you would like to donate to the Cox Community Scholarship, click here: www.smu.edu/Coxgiving or contact Ashley Pitts, director of development for the Cox School, apitts@smu.edu or 214-768-4988.
