The 100 Black Men of America Inc. and Cox Enterprises have forged a national diversity partnership that engages African-American college students and prepares them for educational and economic success. The partnership includes each of Cox Enterprises’ major divisions such as Cox Communications, Cox Media Group and Cox Automotive.
“This partnership demonstrates Cox’s ongoing commitment to a diverse workforce and to being a good corporate citizen in the communities we serve,” says Rock Anderson, a member of the 100 Black Men of Atlanta chapter and Cox Automotive’s senior vice president and chief people officer. “By partnering with 100 Black Men of America’s C100 program, we are utilizing our employees’ expertise to help prepare today’s civic-minded college students for ongoing success. We’ve partnered with the 100 organization for several years in Atlanta and are excited to expand this relationship to Cox markets in other cities throughout the country.”
Across its network of more than 100 national and international chapters, the organization’s signature Mentoring the 100 Way Across A Lifetime(r) and C100 programs positively impact the lives of tomorrow’s leaders.
Chapters deliver unique, innovative mentoring initiatives that are locally relevant and change the lives of tens of thousands of youth and young adults annually.
“Mentoring the 100 Way Across A Lifetime is realized through our mutually beneficial partnerships with companies like Cox Enterprises,” says Curley M. Dossman Jr., chairman of the board of 100 Black Men of America Inc.
“We forged a national partnership with Cox to expand the local success experienced in a pilot with our Atlanta chapter,” he adds. “C100 students will bolster their soft skills through connections with employees of Cox businesses while also gaining access to career and internship opportunities.”
In support of the C100 program, Cox hosted ‘Building Your Brand: Soft Skills Matter’ workshops throughout October in five of its markets. Cox employees led the workshops and shared insights on enhancing leadership, career readiness skills, business etiquette, public speaking, and securing internships and employment. Coordinated by the local 100 Black Men chapters, the workshops included participation from students from Howard University and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.; Hillsborough Community College in Tampa; Morehouse College in Atlanta; Southern University in Baton Rouge; and the University of North Carolina, in Charlotte and the surrounding areas.
“Cox Enterprises fosters diversity through its employees, communities, products and suppliers,” says Robert Cahn, Cox Enterprises’ vice president of talent management and diversity. “Partnerships like this help us attract the very best talent into our businesses, while also serving the community.” AT