Nominations
Nomination Deadline: August 1st, 2025
Focused Company:
This category honors Michigan companies that actively foster civility and inclusion in the workplace. Eligible organizations exemplify one or more of the following:
- Clearly define, track, and communicate progress toward inclusive workplace goals, showing how civility, and belonging strengthen organizational success.
- Commit to respectful engagement and equitable treatment across the organization, including among employees, leadership, and supplier relationships.
- Promote a workplace environment that prioritizes psychological safety, mutual respect, and inclusive practices that enhance employee well-being.
- Provide pathways for career growth and leadership development for all employees.
- Invest in community partnerships and outreach programs.
- Develop and implement strategies that recognize and leverage the value of a diverse workforce and community, fostering dialogue, empathy, and collaboration.
Champions:
This category is for community organizations and nonprofits that meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Launched or redirected community initiatives and resources to support marginalized or at-risk groups.
- Developed, sustained, or led impactful programs or strategies that advance workplace inclusion, equitable opportunity, and the professional growth of women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and employees with disabilities.
- Fostered community awareness and meaningful relationships that build understanding and solidarity across underserved populations.
- Provided inclusive education, training, and dialogue opportunities that strengthen civility, and respectful communication among employees and leaders.
- Encouraged civic engagement and volunteerism aimed at advancing equity, inclusion, and social connection within the broader community.
Business Leader:
This category honors business executives who exemplifies integrity, respect, and inclusive leadership within their organization and community. Nominees will demonstrate one or more of the following:
- Initiated or supported community-based programs and resource redirection during times of crisis
- Serves as the top executive of a diverse-owned business, including those led by women, veterans, or individuals from historically underrepresented groups.
- Acts as a visible and influential leader in advancing workplace civility, and inclusion, serving as a role model both within the organization and in the broader community.
- Builds and sustains a workplace culture grounded in psychological safety, equity, mutual respect, and inclusive practices.
- Champions a clear and forward-thinking vision for inclusive excellence, guiding the development of equitable talent pipelines, representation, and opportunity.
- Encourages and models employee engagement, volunteerism, and shared responsibility in creating inclusive, respectful spaces within and beyond the workplace.
