Expanding Opportunities for Underrepresented Groups: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Remains a Core Value at FedEx
Originally published in the 2022 FedEx Cares Report
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) continues to be at the core of our FedEx values as we work to lift up diverse voices and provide access to leadership, education, and employment for all. For nearly 50 years we have collaborated with nonprofits to expand opportunities for underrepresented groups. We believe every individual should have the opportunity to dream big and realize what’s possible.
Our Strategy
- Encourage Learning & Leadership:
Supporting equal access to higher education and cultivating the next generation of diverse leaders in community and business. - Empower Economic Opportunity:
Creating more equitable communities by breaking down barriers to work and upward mobility for underrepresented groups. - Advance Inclusion:
Teaching acceptance and influencing a more inclusive society by encouraging equal share of voice, fighting bias and embracing cultures and history.
Learning & Leadership
Expanding opportunities for HBCU students
We are using our global platform to bring awareness to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and prepare students for the workforce.
Watch the video here
FedEx-HBCU Student Ambassador Program
To help students learn from real-world leaders, we co-created the FedExHBCU Student Ambassador Program with eight partner HBCUs. The program demonstrates a continued commitment to help prepare students who attend HBCUs to be future leaders with opportunities to learn about the FedEx enterprise from executives, build leadership and career-ready skills, and participate in unique experiences, while also helping expand the company’s pipeline for diverse talent. We celebrated the launch of the Program during the ringing of The Closing Bell® at the New York Stock Exchange on February 1, 2022 - the first day of Black History Month.
These are the unbelievable gifts that go far beyond any dollar amount. These are opportunities to open eyes and change people’s perspectives, not just about themselves, but about what is possible for them next.
Michael Sorrell President, Paul Quinn College
Promoting HBCUs on the national stage
When Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Toyota, took the checkered flag at Richmond Raceway in April 2022, his car featured HBCU branding and students from the FedEx-HBCU Career Insights Program were there to cheer him on. Career Insights connects students with professionals in their desired career field. Students with an interest in sports got a special glimpse of NASCAR behind the scenes and the chance to meet Denny and his pit crew. The HBCU branding, seen by millions of viewers, helped promote the incredible opportunities these schools can provide.
Hands-on career development
Hands-on learning and a steady paycheck while in college can help set students up for success. In 2022, Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) continued hosting the FedEx Logistics satellite office, where students work part-time, gain new workforce-ready skills, and get the chance to interview for full-time employment upon graduation.
We are thrilled FedEx Logistics chose MVSU for its HBCU campus satellite office program. Our students’ response to joining the FedEx Logistics team during their matriculation at MVSU has been tremendous.
Dr. Jerryl Briggs, Sr. President of MVSU
Supporting big dreams for LGBTQ students
In the LGBTQ community, gender identity, sexual orientation, or lack of familial support are often cited as barriers to higher education. The Point Foundation helps more LGBTQ+ students attend and excel in college and beyond. FedEx supports a 4-year Point Foundation scholarship which supports students like Nic, who was in high school when George Floyd was murdered, during the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, and when COVID-19 highlighted the racial and socio-economic disparities surrounding all of us. Nic aspires to be a criminal justice attorney or social justice advocate, and the Point Foundation is supporting him and his fellow scholars with financial aid, mentoring and access to online mental health throughout their college experience.
Creating opportunities for first generation APIA scholars
The Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) Scholarship Fund helps APIA students access higher education and achieve academic, personal, and professional success. Despite the common misconception that APIAs universally excel in higher education and career, many lower income and first generation APIA students face significant barriers to attending college. Two thirds of APIA Scholarship Fund recipients live at or below the poverty line and 76% are first-generation college students. FedEx supports APIA scholars with 10 four-year scholarship awards annually, and funding for the Professional Mentorship and Career Development programs.
Economic Opportunity
Helping women achieve economic independence
FedEx believes that when everyone has equal access to opportunity, we are stronger as a business and as a global economy. This is why we support organizations both in the U.S. and globally that provide women with mentorship, leadership development, and entrepreneurial skills to grow their own businesses.
Dress for Success (DFS) is an international nonprofit that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing professional attire, career development training, and support to find and maintain gainful employment. As a longtime supporter, FedEx helps DFS to provide mentorship opportunities, leadership development, and entrepreneurial development. FedEx also helped co-create and launch the FedEx Career Hub, an online tool to help women access job services such as creating a resume, searching for positions, and preparing for an interview remotely, on their own schedule.
Surviving and thriving despite barriers to small business success
Small businesses employ 61 million American workers and can have a significant impact on economic mobility especially for underrepresented groups. FedEx has long supported the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) and their Inner City 100 awards, which recognize and celebrate fast-growing businesses in under-resourced communities. Seventy one percent of the businesses ICIC supports are BIPOC owned/led and 65% are women owned/led. In 2022, Inner City 100 winners created over 4,000 jobs and had a 4-year revenue growth rate of 421%. In addition, FedEx supports the Inner City Capital Connections program, considered a “mini MBA” program for primarily BIPOC and woman business owners, helping them overcome obstacles, hit growth targets, and create good jobs in their local communities.
Inclusion
2022 Freedom Award Honoree Frederick W. Smith
Each year, the National Civil Rights Museum hosts the Freedom Awards to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to civil rights and served as a symbol of the ongoing fight for human rights. In 2022, our Founder and Executive Chairman Frederick W. Smith was recognized as an honoree for his achievements in building bridges of opportunity for underserved communities. From the beginning, Mr. Smith has understood that to serve a diverse world, the company needs a diverse team with insight into cultures and communities. In fact, FedEx first launched diversity programs in 1973 – a time when many American businesses had not yet begun to focus on diversity and inclusion. Mr. Smith believes putting people first respect for everyone should be an everyday business practice, and that diversity, civil rights, and human rights should remain at the forefront of corporate citizenship.
I believe that business success and social progress can go hand in hand. My hope is that others can see this award as ‘shining a light’ on the role business can play in building a more just society.
Frederick W. Smith
Founder and Executive Chairman
Promoting justice and inclusion for Asian Americans
Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) works to advance the civil and human rights for Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all. FedEx supports AAJC on three important initiatives:
- The Youth Leadership Summit convenes students for leadership development programs that focus on advocacy, communications, and civic engagement around policy issues impacting the Asian American community.
- The Community Partners Network includes 250+ organizations, institutions, and community leaders across 38 states, working together on issues that impact Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, including immigration, voting rights, anti-Asian hate, and policies that advance the civil and human rights of all communities.
- The American Courage Awards is AAJC’s annual event, honoring individuals, groups, and corporations in recognition of their extraordinary courage or commitment to the cause of Asian American and Pacific Islander civil rights.
FedEx Hispanic Action Network (HAN) promotes employee growth at the annual UnidosUS conference
Our Hispanic/Latino FedEx team members makeup 18% of our workforce. In support of our employees’ continuous growth, the FedEx Hispanic Action Network (HAN) members attended the annual UnidosUS Conference in San Antonio, TX. The conference included 15 workshops that concentrated on mental health, education, technology, and other topics, along with networking events. HAN members gained valuable insights on navigating change and returned with the knowledge to share with their fellow FedEx team members.
