CDW Celebrates Black History Month
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is a fundamental component of the "CDW Way" and something that we pride ourselves on. Diversity is not only embedded in our culture but also in our business practices with customers, partners and the communities we serve. This Black History Month, we’re proud to celebrate the contributions of Black Americans and highlight some of the ways CDW and our coworkers support the Black community at CDW and beyond.
Black Excellence Unlimited (BeU)
With 1,100 members, our Black Excellence Unlimited (BeU) Business Resource Group (BRG) is dedicated to the support, advancement and celebration of our Black coworkers. In 2021, BeU welcomed 170+ new members and coworkers participated in 40+ coworker events or charity drives. And the good continues! During Black History Month, BeU will host a variety of events and initiatives under the theme “Celebrate. Honor. Lead.”
Celebrate: BeU is shining a spotlight on a few Black-owned businesses making an impact in their communities, including Ariel Investments, an almost 40-year-old investment company in Chicago, IL, specializing in small and mid-capitalized stocks; GJC, the first Black-owned CPA firm in Michigan; and Rhythm Brewing Company, the first Black and female-owned brewery in Connecticut.
Honor: In 2021, the Black community collectively grieved the loss of many prominent members of the community who inspired us, entertained us and paved the way for us. BeU will pay tribute to some of those fallen in acknowledgment of their contributions to Black life, success and culture.
Lead: Throughout the month, BeU is featuring various organizations that are rooted in professional development, academic advancement, art and culture, and community service across the U.S. This includes Beyond Sports Foundation, an organization that empowers Chicagoland student-athletes to succeed in life; Harlem Arts Alliance, a cultural engine committed to nurturing the artistic growth and development of artists and arts organizations in Harlem, NY; and Per Scholas which aids women and people of color to get the skills to have a successful career in tech.
Business Diversity
CDW is committed to partnering with vendors and suppliers who bring diverse points of view. By facilitating greater spending with minority-owned partners, we’re helping address racial injustice and create equal economic opportunities for underrepresented and underutilized segments of society. In 2021, $790 million was spent with minority-owned businesses, creating 2,800 jobs.
Community Involvement
We partner with organizations that support racial and social equality such as:
i.c. stars
CDW’s support of education and learning is ongoing, and i.c. stars provides tech-based workforce development and leadership training to adults in marginalized communities. Program participants are immersed in project work and learn coding, workplace and leadership skills.
All Star Code
All Star Code creates economic opportunity by developing a new generation of boys and young men of color with an entrepreneurial mindset who have the tools they need to succeed in a technological world. CDW supports All Star Code’s Virtual Summer Intensive, a free, six-week web development and leadership training course for high-school men of color.
Chicago Urban League
In 2021, CDW partnered with the Chicago Urban League to convene thought leaders to present solutions for bridging the digital divide. Continuing this year, additional middle school students will be introduced to STEM though a ‘hackathon’ using problem-solving skills alongside tech and innovation entrepreneurs.
Be the Change Virtual 5K
Since 2020 CDW’s Small Business team has participated in the Be the Change Virtual 5K to bring coworkers together to support organizations that stand for racial and social equality and enact change within their communities. As a result of over 175 participants in 2021 alone, nearly $11,000 was raised in support of justice and racial equality.
Learn more about our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at CDW.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is a fundamental component of the "CDW Way" and something that we pride ourselves on. Diversity is not only embedded in our culture but also in our business practices with customers, partners and the communities we serve. This Black History Month, we’re proud to celebrate the contributions of Black Americans and highlight some of the ways CDW and our coworkers support the Black community at CDW and beyond.
Black Excellence Unlimited (BeU)
With 1,100 members, our Black Excellence Unlimited (BeU) Business Resource Group (BRG) is dedicated to the support, advancement and celebration of our Black coworkers. In 2021, BeU welcomed 170+ new members and coworkers participated in 40+ coworker events or charity drives. And the good continues! During Black History Month, BeU will host a variety of events and initiatives under the theme “Celebrate. Honor. Lead.”
Celebrate: BeU is shining a spotlight on a few Black-owned businesses making an impact in their communities, including Ariel Investments, an almost 40-year-old investment company in Chicago, IL, specializing in small and mid-capitalized stocks; GJC, the first Black-owned CPA firm in Michigan; and Rhythm Brewing Company, the first Black and female-owned brewery in Connecticut.
Honor: In 2021, the Black community collectively grieved the loss of many prominent members of the community who inspired us, entertained us and paved the way for us. BeU will pay tribute to some of those fallen in acknowledgment of their contributions to Black life, success and culture.
Lead: Throughout the month, BeU is featuring various organizations that are rooted in professional development, academic advancement, art and culture, and community service across the U.S. This includes Beyond Sports Foundation, an organization that empowers Chicagoland student-athletes to succeed in life; Harlem Arts Alliance, a cultural engine committed to nurturing the artistic growth and development of artists and arts organizations in Harlem, NY; and Per Scholas which aids women and people of color to get the skills to have a successful career in tech.
Business Diversity
CDW is committed to partnering with vendors and suppliers who bring diverse points of view. By facilitating greater spending with minority-owned partners, we’re helping address racial injustice and create equal economic opportunities for underrepresented and underutilized segments of society. In 2021, $790 million was spent with minority-owned businesses, creating 2,800 jobs.
Community Involvement
We partner with organizations that support racial and social equality such as:
i.c. stars
CDW’s support of education and learning is ongoing, and i.c. stars provides tech-based workforce development and leadership training to adults in marginalized communities. Program participants are immersed in project work and learn coding, workplace and leadership skills.
All Star Code
All Star Code creates economic opportunity by developing a new generation of boys and young men of color with an entrepreneurial mindset who have the tools they need to succeed in a technological world. CDW supports All Star Code’s Virtual Summer Intensive, a free, six-week web development and leadership training course for high-school men of color.
Chicago Urban League
In 2021, CDW partnered with the Chicago Urban League to convene thought leaders to present solutions for bridging the digital divide. Continuing this year, additional middle school students will be introduced to STEM though a ‘hackathon’ using problem-solving skills alongside tech and innovation entrepreneurs.
Be the Change Virtual 5K
Since 2020 CDW’s Small Business team has participated in the Be the Change Virtual 5K to bring coworkers together to support organizations that stand for racial and social equality and enact change within their communities. As a result of over 175 participants in 2021 alone, nearly $11,000 was raised in support of justice and racial equality.
