25 U.S. Organizations Set to Receive Annual Diversity Award at October Washington D.C. Conference

SANFORD, Fla., July 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Association of ERGs & Councils today released their list of the 2014 Top 25 U.S. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), Business Resource Groups (BRGs) and Diversity Councils that will be recognized, honored and celebrated at a dinner ceremony during the 2014 ERG & Council Conference in Alexandria, VA. October 15th.

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This is the sixth year for the ERG & Council Honors Award™ - the only annual national award that recognizes, honors and celebrates the outstanding contributions and achievements of ERGs, BRGs and Council groups. It was established in 2008 by the Association of ERGs & Councils, a practice group of diversity and inclusion consulting and training firm PRISM International, Inc. Linda Stokes, President and CEO of PRISM, says, "For years we've assisted organizations with their diversity and inclusion initiatives. We recognized the important contributions and that impact that ERGs, BRGs and Diversity Councils had on their organizations; yet, for all their great efforts there was little national recognition. We wanted to change that." Ken Barrett, Chief Diversity Officer at GM says, "It's a great opportunity to be able to recognize all those different companies with ERGs and Councils out there that are really doing great stuff."

The 2014 ERG & Council Honors Award™ recipients include a diverse combination of U.S. corporations, healthcare and the military representing all sectors, geographies and organizational sizes. Philip Berry, Executive Director of the Association says, "This year's Top 25 recipient list includes 14 new and 11 returning ERGs, BRGs and Councils."

The Top 25 rankings will be revealed at the October award ceremony. Here is the list in alphabetical order:

• American Airlines - Diversity Advisory Council
• AT&T - OASiS - Organization of Asian Indians
• AT&T - oxyGEN
• Baystate Health - Baystate Hispanic Latino Organization Valuing Ethnicity (BHLOVE)
• Baystate Health - Baystate Pride
• CISCO Systems, Inc. - Sales Inclusion Leadership Team (SILT)
• Comcast Corporation - Comcast and NBCUniversal Diversity Councils
• FedEx Freight - FedEx Freight Diversity Council
• General Motors - General Motors Employee Resource Groups' Council
• Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, Inc. - Big "I" Diversity Task Force
• Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center - Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Diversity Council
• Johns Hopkins HealthCare - Diversity & Inclusion Council
• MGM Resorts International - Joint Corporate Social Responsibility Council
• National Guard Bureau - Joint Diversity Executive Council (JDEC)
• Prudential Financial - Law, Compliance, Business Ethics and External Affairs Diversity & Inclusion Council
• RBC Wealth Management-U.S. - Diversity Leadership Council
• RBC Wealth Management-U.S. - Gay Lesbian Allied and Diverse Employees
• Siemens Corporation - USA Diversity & Inclusion Council
• State Street Corporation - Black Professionals Group (BPG)
• The Boeing Company - Shared Services Group Diversity & Inclusion Council
• The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. - Finance Diversity and Inclusion Council
• The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. - Pittsburgh African American Employee BRG
• The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. - PNC Proud LGBTA Employee BRG - Louisville Chapter
• TriHealth - TriHealth Diversity Teams
• U.S. Navy, Office of Diversity and Inclusion - Strategic Diversity Working Group
• Every applicant will receive their results in their complimentary Application Summary Report that provides feedback and information that will enhance their performance and increase their value to the organization they serve.
• The application process is free. It opened February 17th and closed June 27th. ERGs, BRGs and Councils complete and submit an online application that evaluates their contributions and achievements in four focus areas. Tina Hallenbeck, Diversity Manager at FedEx Freight says, "It challenges us...by filling out the application and really looking at what we're doing every year. It makes us evaluate what we're doing and helps us get better." Philip Berry says, "Our intent is to enable ERGs, BRGs and Diversity Councils to use this application as a way to learn what they are doing well and how they can continue to improve their impact."

For more Information Contact: Debbie Mitchell at 888.997.7476.

About the ERG & Council Honors Award™
The ERG & Council Honors Award™ is the only annual national award that recognizes, honors and celebrates the outstanding contributions and achievements of ERGs and Diversity Councils that lead the diversity and inclusion process in their organizations and demonstrate results in their workforce, workplace and marketplace. Learn more by visiting ERG & Council Honors Award™.

About the ERG & Council Conference™
ERGs and Diversity Councils are vital links for improving organizational results. However to remain impactful and effective, they need opportunities to increase their skills and knowledge and to learn and share best practices. They need opportunities to network, celebrate and grow. This is the purpose of the only annual conference designed specifically for ERGs and Diversity Councils. Learn more by visiting ERG Council Conference.

About the Association of ERGs & Councils
The Association of ERGs & Councils is a practice group of PRISM and the premier resource for diversity and inclusion professionals dedicated to increasing the impact, effectiveness and recognition of ERGs and Diversity Councils as an essential partner in developing and implementing a focus within organizations. Learn more by visiting the Association.

About PRISM International, Inc
PRISM is a WBENC-certified, full-service provider of innovative and proven consulting, training and products for leveraging diversity and inclusion, increasing cross-cultural competencies and creating more effective ERGs and Diversity Councils. Learn more by visiting PRISM.

SOURCE Association of ERGs & Councils