Staff and members participated in PepsiCo’s first annual Multicultural Inclusion Summit.
By Marlene Harmon-Perkins and Kleo King
On March 27 to 29 more than 500 of PepsiCo’s senior management staff and personnel from around the world came together for the first time to discuss the company’s plans, goals, and commitment to cultural diversity.
In the past, the various groups representing different cultural entities, met individually to formulate policy, ideas, and programs that would enhance the company’s outlook regarding diversity. For the first time, however, under the leadership of PepsiCo’s new Chairman Elect and CEO Indra Nooyi and the direction of Ron Parker, Senior Vice President of Human Resources with PepsiCo North America, all groups were brought together under one roof in Ryebrook, New York for three days to experience a rare opportunity to participate in a multicultural learning experience.
This event also marked the launch of the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion both domestically and internationally. The Summit’s goals were designed to provide senior management and top decision makers with an opportunity to:
• Understand multicultural inclusion from the inside out;
• Gain insights and business perspectives that can be taken home and implemented;
• Increase connectivity to senior leadership and colleagues from across every division of PepsiCo;
• Address their own unique, personal needs.
Varying Abilities
With an array of noted speakers and authors from across the country representing the interests and concerns of various ethnic, racial, and cultural communities (i.e., women, African Americans, latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans, gays and lesbians), United Spinal Association was honored to be invited to participate in the Summit to address issues from the perspective of individuals with disabilities.
Conducting two workshops over the course of the three day event, we (along with member Damon Rozier) addressed the issue of etiquette and interacting with people of varying abilities.
Since September 2005, United Spinal has partnered with the PepsiCo’s Enable Leadership Council to advise, train, and consult on accessibility related matters, both physical access and etiquette/effective interaction. When the Enable Leadership Council was asked to develop an agenda on disability matters for the Summit, United Spinal was a natural fit. The Council, which is the most newly formed group in the PepsiCo Diversity & Inclusion family, puts a focus not on the person’s disability, but rather on the individual’s different or varying abilities, whether it is as an employee, a supplier, a partner or a consumer.
The event featured keynote addresses from world renowned athlete and tennis great, Billie Jean King and CEO for PepsiCo International & PepsiCo Vice Chairman, Michael White.
Our workshops during the three-day summit introduced etiquette tips and information for interacting with people of different abilities. Entitled, “Etiquette for Working with People with Varying Abilities,” the hands-on workshop had audience members participating in a series of exercises that simulated various disabilities.
Participants were given a glimpse of what it may be like to be an individual who is blind or visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, a person with a mobility impairment or with a learning disability. After the series of exercises, the participants discussed their thoughts and feelings and were given tips not only on proper etiquette and interaction but more importantly on practical ways to accommodate individuals with disabilities.
All participants left the workshop with a newfound appreciation for diversity as it applies to a disability. Enable Leadership Council member David Nail (representing PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division from Plano, Texas) said the Summit was “a huge success due in no small part to the educational workshops that participants attended.”
Damon’s Story
The workshop greatly benefited from Damon Rozier’s personal testimonial. Rozier told of the motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed and shared some of his experiences in rehab and his life after a spinal cord injury. His message was simple: Live life to its fullest. Rozier is doing just that as a “sit-down” comedian, actor, athlete and-most important-as a single parent of two sons, ages 11 and 12. Rozier’s story put a human face on disability for those in attendance.
The workshop also provided insight into the physical accessibility of the built environment as United Spinal, through its Accessibility Services Program, continues to review plans and conduct site visits on existing and soon to be constructed PepsiCo corporate buildings and facilities.
As a partner on disability related matters, United Spinal will continue to work with the PepsiCo family and the Enable Leadership Council on their commitment to move forward on their mission of diversity and inclusion which include individuals with different abilities.
Marlene Harmon-Perkins is director of Outreach & Member Programs and Kleo King is associate executive director of Accessibility Services.
