Regency Centers is thrilled to announce our recent Plan Approved status with the Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) Black Equity at Work Certification. This is an important milestone for our commitment to make comprehensive progress towards black equity at Regency through rigorous, sustained action; ongoing data-driven improvement, and accountability.
For more than 20 years, MLT has supported employers in their journey toward racial equity by providing talent, recruitment, retention, and overall DEI strategy assistance. MLT offers a premier pipeline of diverse talent, an unmatched alumni network, and serves as a trusted partner and advisor to employers across the country.
MLT’s Racial Equity at Work Certification Program focuses on People, Purchasing, and Philanthropy; and centers on the following Five Pillars upon which the approval criteria and certification are based:
- Black representation at every level
- Compensation equity
- Inclusive, anti-racist work environment
- Racially just business practices
- Racial justice contributions and investments
Achieving plan approval means Regency Centers submitted a multi-year plan to address racial equity for Black employees that meets the certification program’s standards for rigor and achievability. The plan includes a root-cause analysis of gaps across the Black equity indicators being focused on, as well as key activities, deadlines, owners, and executive sponsors. Some of Regency’s action items include:
- Recruiting — as well as retaining and developing — diverse talent
- Identifying and working with a more diverse lineup of vendors, suppliers, and partners
- Focusing our charitable donations toward organizations that prioritize diversity and inclusion
Regency intends to achieve the Black Equity at Work certification within three years, and is working diligently both internally and with MLT and others to achieve this goal. However, this does not mean that the overall effort and goal to create a more equitable and inclusive environment stops there. This is a guided, first step at the overall goals expressed in Regency’s Corporate Responsibility Reports, and keeps us progressing on the path from “good” to “great.”
While this plan will focus on our efforts toward Black equity, it will also help us expand our diversity toolkit as we strive to ensure equity across other diverse groups. The need for change is clear, and the time for change is now, and Regency is proud to do our part in this process.
Click here to learn more about MLT’s Black Equity at Work Certification.