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GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. – Dollar General believes that a diverse workplace and an inclusive culture foster an environment where the retailer’s customers, employees, vendors and communities alike can feel welcomed. The company, which operates more than 20,000 stores across 48 states, says that it sees its diverse teams as a strategic advantage that allow it to better serve its customers and communities with relevant products they can trust.
With that in mind, Dollar General says it strives to remove or mitigate unintended barriers for businesses certified as minority, women, LGBTQ+, veteran, or disability-owned, helping to increase the representation of these groups in the communities it serves. serve and believe in putting people first with respect for each individuals’ dignity and differences. That commitment is reflected in the retailer’s 2024 Diverse Supplier Awards, which the company announced recently.
Diverse Supplier of the Year
The 2024 Diverse Supplier of the Year award went to KISS Products, which operates as a minority-owned business. Since 1989, KISS has been a leader in professional-quality beauty products with iconic brands sold in over 100 countries worldwide and available at all Dollar General stores.
“KISS Products is extremely honored to receive Dollar General’s ‘Diverse Supplier of the Year’ award,” said Gary Goloja, the company’s Senior Vice President of Category Management. “KISS Products has been very fortunate during our 20+ year partnership with Dollar General, and we have been blessed over the years to have tremendous support with true merchants that were committed to bringing the latest innovation at a great value for their customers. We are truly appreciate our partnership with Dollar General.”
Community Leadership Award
The DG Community Leadership Award was presented to Cheri Henderson from the Tristate Minority Supplier Development Council for her involvement in the community, leadership, collaboration and positive impact.
“I am incredibly privileged to be honored with the recent ‘Inaugural Community Leadership Award’ by Dollar General,” said Cheri Henderson, President and CEO of TriState Minority Supplier Development Council (TSMSDC). “As president and CEO of TSMSDC, this recognition reinforces my commitment to making a positive impact in pushing the boundaries of diversity, equity and inclusion to greater heights for all.”
Tristate Minority Supplier Diversity Council is a non-profit organization chartered to advance business and procurement opportunities for certified minority businesses of all sizes — namely Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American business enterprises — and connecting them to member corporations.
Champion Award
Chuck Hendrix from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council was awarded the DG Champion Award for his strategic vision, engagement and collaboration with other companies, relationship building, advocacy and impact.
“Dollar General showed just how intentional the level of commitment the entire organization feels about Supplier Diversity,” said Chuck Hendrix. “I am deeply humbled and honored to be the recipient of the Dollar General Diversity Champion award and myself, as well as the entire WBENC Team, are proud supporters of their Supplier Diversity Journey. I look forward to our continued growth and partnership.”
Women’s Business Enterprise National Council was founded in 1997 to develop a nationwide standard for women-owned business certification. The organization has grown to become the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned, controlled, and operated by women in the U.S. and a leading advocate for women-owned businesses in corporate and government supply chains.
About DG’s Diverse Supplier Program
Dollar General says it strives to help increase the representation of diverse groups in the communities it serves. The retailer’s Supplier Diversity program centers on three key pillars of inclusive sourcing, processes and capacity building.
The company says its diverse supplier network helps ensure that the company offer the right products for customers we serve, and it categorizes suppliers as diverse if they meet the following qualifications:
That it is 51% owned/operated by U.S. citizen who qualifies as:
- Minority
- Woman
- LGBTQ+
- Veteran (including disabled veteran)
- Disability
And that it meets one of the following third-party certifications:
- National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
- Certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBENC)
- National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)
- National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA)
- Disability:IN
- U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC)
For additional information on DG’s supplier diversity initiative, please visit https://www.dollargeneral.com/ch/landing-page/dg-supplier-diversity.
Left to Right: Johné Battle (DG’s Chief Diversity Officer), Chuck Hendrix (VP, Member Engagement, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council), Antoine Hinton (DG’s Director of Supplier Diversity) and Rich Szellan (DG’s SVP of Procurement).
Dollar General team members present the KISS team with the Diverse Supplier of the Year award.
Left to Right: Johné Battle (DG’s Chief Diversity Officer), Cheri Henderson (President and CEO of TriState Minority Supplier Development Council, Rich Szellan (DG’s SVP of Procurement) and Antoine Hinton (DG’s Director of Supplier Diversity).
