Indianapolis – June 2, 2022 – Today, Mayor Joe Hogsett, the Office of Minority and Women Business Development, EmployIndy, and over 30 local employers gathered at the 21st Annual Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity Awards to celebrate local employers who have excelled in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion. This year’s event took place in-person at Ivy Tech Community College with over 250 in attendance to hear local leaders share insights, success stories, and best practices for fostering diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. 

This event places a special emphasis on the importance of supporting youth employment in Marion County as proceeds go to support Project Indy, Mayor Joe Hogsett’s youth jobs initiative. Project Indy is a location-based job search platform that has connected over 13,000 of Indianapolis’ young people, since its launch in 2016, to employment opportunities near them. 

“It is critical that we both celebrate our community’s commitment to diversity and encourage its continued growth,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “We commend the businesses and nonprofits already leading the way, and invite all Marion County employers to join us in working toward a diverse and prosperous Indianapolis.”

Attendees had the privilege of hearing and learning about diversity, equity, and inclusion in action from the following Indianapolis advocates:

• Mayor Joe Hogsett, City of Indianapolis
• Angela Carr Klitzsch, EmployIndy and Good Wages Initiative
• Alexis Rogers, WISH-TV
• Pastor John E. Girton, Jr., Martin University
• Alan Bacon and Malina Simone Jeffers, GANGGANG
• David Fredricks, Office of Minority and Women Business Development

“Today we are proud to recognize the many employers and community partners who place high priority on diversity and inclusion through their corporate practices, as well as their support of Project Indy and partnership with the Good Wages Initiative,” said Angela Carr Klitzsch, president & CEO of EmployIndy. “Through initiatives like Project Indy and the Good Wages Initiative, everyone benefits when businesses invest in people through equitable access to sustainable employment and good jobs.”

In recognizing employers who have made exceptional efforts to demonstrate diversity, equity, and inclusivity in their workplaces, four awards were given with unique focuses on honoring leadership, hiring practices, and focus on culture. This year’s award recipients are as follows:

• “Sam H. Jones ‘Best of the Best’” was awarded to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office for their exemplary performance in all aspects of diversity. 
• “Diversity in Leadership” was awarded to Powers & Sons Construction Co. for their work in cultivating an atmosphere of growth, particularly when considering upper-level diversity as well as actively supporting a diverse organizational culture.
• “Diversity in Workforce” was awarded to Latinas Welding Guild Inc for their work in the past year to successfully implement best practices to support workforce diversity. 
• “Excellence in Youth Employment” was awarded to Crew Carwash for their commitment to offering youth and young adults in Indianapolis the opportunity for that first job and embracing a culture that promotes the personal growth of those individuals through mentoring and advancement.

Featured at this year’s event, the Good Wages Initiative is an EmployIndy led effort that certifies, celebrates, and showcases Marion County employers that have voluntarily committed to providing full-time employees both a wage of at least $18/hour and access to employer-sponsored health insurance benefits. As a part of EmployIndy’s Choice Employer’s program, the Good Wages Initiative is designed to help businesses become an employer of choice for job seekers and attract new consumers through job quality practices including good wages, culture and diversity, career pathways, and employee support. 

Employers who are interested in becoming an employer of choice through the Good Wages Initiative can find out more by visiting employindy.org/goodwages. Those who are interested in supporting youth employment in Marion County through Project Indy can donate online at www.employindy.org/mcod-donate. More information about Project Indy can be found at projectindy.net.