Gary Reedy participates in CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion summit

Reflective of our ongoing commitment to advance diversity and inclusion at the American Cancer Society, CEO Gary Reedy and Tawana Thomas-Johnson, vice president, Diversity and Inclusion, participated in the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion virtual summit on Nov. 19.

CEO Action brought together more than1,000 C-suite leaders for the 4th annual CEO Closed-Door Session and CHRO & CDO Summit, convening leaders to take critical action on diversity and inclusion in the workplace and society during a definitive year in our nation’s history.

Key topics and themes covered how this year’s moments of reckoning, impacts of COVID-19, and the recent election help reimagine how to adapt measurable, accountable, and transparent solutions to tackle systemic issues of racial injustice and inequity. Additionally, participants discussed how to move the numbers on diversity within their organizations, including succession planning and hosting tough conversations about race.

Last fall, Gary joined a large group of company leaders in making a united commitment to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace by signing the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion pledge. As an organization, we should recognize the progress made this year including:

• Atlanta-based staff participated in inaugural Day of Understanding event to expand attendees’ knowledge of unconscious bias. 
• Convened a second enterprise-wide Day of Understanding to create space for dialogue, connection, and reflection, and to encourage staff to listen, learn, and act.
• Developed a Social Justice Toolkit for staff and volunteers.
• Inclusion Table Talks topics included Deepening Multicultural Engagement in a Virtual Reality and The History of Social Justice Movements in the U.S.  
• Developed an advisory group of African American leaders of national organizations. 
• Developed Powerful Conversations through the Lens of Diversity and Inclusion for managers.
• Regional actions include staff dialogues and social justice workgroups.
• Participation with several external panels on racial equity and social justice including being highlighted in Forbes. 
• Continued focus on increasing staff and volunteer diversity.
• Develop Racial Equity and Inclusion training rolling out to all staff Q1 of 2021.
• Assessment of ACS policies and practices to ensure inclusion and equity.

* Shared from MySocietySource.