GEIGER TO RECEIVE “CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE AWARD” AT STAND AGAINST RACISM CONFERENCE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: GEIGER TO RECEIVE “CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE AWARD” AT STAND AGAINST RACISM CONFERENCE
YWCA Central Maine will present its “Champions of Change” award to Geiger on April 27th, 2023, at the signature “Stand Against Racism” event, a one-day conference held at USM’s Lewiston campus.
“We are excited to unveil our first biannual business award to a local company in recognition of their efforts to advance racial equity in our community” said Melanie LaMore Gagnon, YWCA CEO.
YWCA staff and board members nominated companies “that lead and support efforts that advance racial and gender equity in the workplace or community.
Amanda Hatch, YWCA Central Maine’s Chief Program & Impact Officer has seen first-hand how invested Geiger is in building DEI capacity through their position as one of the larger employers in Lewiston. “The team at Geiger is very thoughtful about their DEI strategies, always mindful of the balance between meeting people where they are at and really challenging their employees to make meaningful changes and take meaningful actions. Geiger is also committed to long-term culture shifts – they aren’t just checking a box and are intentionally monitoring their impact over time to ensure goals are met and strategies are worthwhile.”
The award will be presented to Geiger in the afternoon of the conference following a keynote and two breakout sessions.
“We are deeply humbled and honored to receive the Champions of Change award,” said 5th generation Geiger family member, David Geiger, who currently serves as Vice President and General Counsel. “At Geiger, we firmly believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to building a strong and thriving family business culture. By fostering an inclusive environment that welcomes a diverse range of perspectives and experiences, we empower our associates to make better decisions, drive innovation, and achieve greater creativity. While we are proud to be recognized for our efforts thus far, we recognize there is still more work to be done and we will continue to strive towards a more equitable future for all, guided by our core values of integrity, respect, and inclusivity. ”
Stand Against Racism is a signature YWCA event designed to build community among those working for racial justice, raise awareness about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism in our communities, and provide strategies to root out injustice, transform institutions, and create a world that sees women, girls, and people of color the way we do: Equal. Powerful. Unstoppable.
This year’s theme for the conference and fundraiser is “Until Justice Just Is: Economic Justice is Racial Justice” and features keynote speaker Rose Barboza, Founder and Executive Director of Black Owned Maine (www.blackownedmaine.com). Rose describes her keynote, “An economy for us, by us”: “Black businesses are growing at a rapid pace, but many are not receiving the necessary support for growth. Join us to break this down and leave with action items you can use immediately.”
Other speakers include: Ayesha Hall, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Maine Department of Education; T. Melissa Hue, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at City of Lewiston; James Myall, Policy Analyst at Maine Center for Economic Policy; Kristina Powell, Executive Director, and Sonya Tomlinson, Young Writers & Leaders Program Lead at The Telling Room; Abdikhadar Shire, Chief Executive Officer at AK Health and Social Services; and more yet to be announced.
All proceeds support the work YWCA Central Maine does each day in service of its missions to eliminate racism and empower women while promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
Those interested in sponsoring the conference or learning about discounted tickets or scholarship opportunities can contact Jennifer Molloy, Chief Development and Communications Officer at jmolloy@ywcamaine.org
To learn more about the Stand Against Racism Conference or get tickets go to: https://bit.ly/Stand2023
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About YWCA Central Maine
Founded in 1878, YWCA Central Maine began as a service provider for women immigrating to Lewiston to work in the mills. The organization was originally known as the Women’s Benevolent Association and offered housing, language classes, job training, and recreation that allowed working women to thrive in their new country. In its early years, it was housed in buildings located at the corner of Bates and Pine Streets in Lewiston and on Main Street in Auburn. It served as a place for women to receive support services, particularly during the war years. The YWCA’s history inspires us to provide programming that builds community through strengthening inter-cultural relationships and valuing the needs and contributions of all of our members. Our programming is guided by a belief in appreciation of diversity and equitable opportunity for all people in our community. All YWCA services work toward the realization of gender and racial equity through providing accessible and culturally appropriate resources for health and wellness, recreation, childcare, and advocacy. The advancement of women, people of color, and economic justice in Lewiston-Auburn is integral in all that we do. From affordable childcare that supports families and women in the workplace to free-of-charge therapeutic swim programs to anti-racist education and action, the YWCA strives to bring this mission to fruition in big and small ways every day.
About Geiger
Geiger, founded in 1878, is the largest privately held and family-owned promotional products distributor in the world. A 5th-generation family business headquartered in Lewiston, Maine, Geiger operates from offices throughout the U.S. and Europe and is affiliated with more than 450 independent sales representatives. Geiger is a socially and environmentally conscientious company, which provides proactive and comprehensive marketing solutions to its clients.
For more information, contact: Jennifer Molloy; Chief Development and Communications Officer, YWCA Central Maine – jmolloy@ywcamaine.org