February is Black History Month in the United States, a time to celebrate those who identify as Black, African American, and West Indian descent, and the contributions they have made.
To commemorate Black History Month this year, Aramark’s Leaders and Employees of African Descent (LEAD) employee resource group (ERG) organized, led, and participated in a series of programs and events designed to cultivate and engage Black leaders and allies at Aramark, provide community support, and push innovation through service.
“ERGs like LEAD serve as an investment in our people, strengthen our culture though connection across all backgrounds, invest in strategic partnerships, and broaden our ties with clients, local businesses, and people in our communities,” said Fenimore Fisher, Vice President, Aramark Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). “LEAD members contribute, not just during Black History Month, but throughout the year focused on advancing our priorities of recruitment, development, ERG membership growth, and supporting our business.”
Read on for a recap of significant events and partnerships.
New Educational Series Launches
To coincide with the start of Black History Month, Aramark launched a new educational series for its workforce, called “Beyond the Plate,” which provides information, explanations, and direction on cultural celebrations, religious observations, and related foods.
The first conversation in the series features Dr. Jessica B. Harris, noted culinary historian and author of High on the Hog: A Culinary Journey from Africa to America, which contextualizes the significance of foods associated with African American communities.
2024 LEAD Summit and Awards
Nearly 200 Aramark employees and guests participated in the fourth annual LEAD Summit held February 27-29 at Aramark’s headquarters in Philadelphia. The summit theme this year was “Fostering Dynamic Leaders that Honor the Past and Embrace the Present to IMPACT the Future.”
The Summit opened with a keynote address by Dr. Harris, followed by an audience Q&A and a book signing of High on the Hog: A Culinary Journey from Africa to America.
The Summit opening reception featured a discussion of the importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and remarks from Dr. Harry L. Williams, President and CEO of Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the nation’s foremost organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. Aramark partners with TMCF to guide the Aramark HBCU Emerging Leaders Program (read more below).
Other Summit activities included:
- Career development seminars;
- Informative and inspiring panel discussions;
- Educational breakout sessions on leadership voice, building a personal brand, the power of emotional intelligence, and understanding the life cycle of a business;
- A conversation with Aramark partner BLK & Bold Coffee Beverages, followed by a Bridging Community vendor expo featuring several minority-owned businesses; and
- A Lunch and Learn session on encouraging inclusive leadership through ERGs that featured multiple Black History Month Chef Spotlight stations serving dishes from Black Aramark chefs, along with a Philadelphia restaurant that is part of Aramark’s Restaurant Row program.
LEAD Award Winners
An annual awards dinner was also held during the Summit. Congratulations to the following Aramark LEAD ERG members and teams who were recognized for outstanding service:
- Dynamic Leader Award: Esau Howard
- Committee Chair of the Year: Faren Alston
- ERG Hub of the Year: Dallas
- Ally of the Year: Shaady Ghadessy
HBCU Emerging Leaders
In 2023, Aramark announced a partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) to launch the Aramark HBCU Emerging Leaders Program.
The program engages students enrolled in qualifying majors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to participate in an immersive experience at the Aramark headquarters in Philadelphia to learn more about Aramark’s organization and culture. Fifteen students participated in the experience in 2023.
This year, from 130 student applicants, 11 Aramark HBCU Emerging Leaders traveled to Philadelphia in late February and participated in activities to help them better understand Aramark and job functions related to their majors. The students networked with executives, learned about internship and employment opportunities post-graduation, and participated in the LEAD ERG Summit.
10 Community Grants Awarded Thanks to MLK Day Volunteers
To commemorate MLK Day in January this year, Aramark Community Relations invited employees who volunteered for community service projects to recommend a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization to be considered for one of 10 community grants.
“We encourage employees to give back throughout the year,” said Jami Leveen, Vice President, Community Partnerships, Aramark. “Awarding grants to nonprofits that our people care most about was just one more way to demonstrate our commitment to giving back and encourage employees to participate in meaningful volunteer experiences.” Read more.
