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Southeastern Grocers launches minority grant program

Funding initiative for nonprofits targets racial disparities in health care, food insecurity

Russell Redman

July 9, 2020

2 Min Read
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The Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant Program is named after Romay Davis, a 20-year store associate at Winn-Dixie who celebrated her 100th birthday last year.Southeastern Grocers

Southeastern Grocers has introduced the Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant Program, aimed at providing funding to nonprofits supporting minority communities.

The Jacksonville, Fla.-based grocer — the parent of Bi-Lo, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie — said its SEG Gives Foundation is offering nonprofits in communities throughout its seven-state footprint the opportunity to apply for grant funds to help address racial disparities in access to food and medical care.

The Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant Program began accepting applications on July 8 and is slated to remain open through Sept. 8. Organizations in Southeastern Grocers’ market area can apply for grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.

Romay Davis minority grant program_SE Grocers.jpg

Twenty-year Winn-Dixie store associate Romay Davis, who turned 100 last year, “consistently broke barriers and shattered glass ceilings by challenging society’s limited beliefs,” according to Southeastern Grocers.

Southeastern Grocers said the SEG Inclusion and Diversity Committee will review and evaluate all applications. Plans call for grant awards to be announced in December 2020.

The namesake for the grant program is Romay Davis, a store associate at Winn-Dixie for 20 years. Southeastern Grocers said that, last year, the company and its Winn-Dixie location in Montgomery, Ala., celebrated her 100th birthday.

At a time when women and people of color faced restricted rights, Davis “consistently broke barriers and shattered glass ceilings by challenging society’s limited beliefs,” according to Southeastern Grocers. Davis served in World War II, graduated from New York University and succeeded in a 30-year fashion career. After retirement, she earned a master’s degree and a black belt in Taekwondo. And at age 80, she rejoined the workforce as a Winn-Dixie associate.

Related:Winn-Dixie has ‘no immediate plans’ for name change

Southeastern Grocers said the grant named for Davis recognizes her lifetime achievements and milestones, and the company hopes that it will provide inspiration and opportunity for others.

“We take pride in cultivating an environment of belonging, inclusion and diversity. As a people first company, we are committed to creating a thriving culture with stores that reflect the local communities we serve,” Elizabeth Thompson, executive vice president and chief people officer at Southeastern Grocers, said in a statement. “Embracing and celebrating our differences makes us stronger, and we are honored to stand with our associates, customers and neighbors to support nonprofits that positively impact our communities. We are stronger together.”

Overall, Southeastern Grocers operates 550 supermarkets in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Related:Southeastern Grocers steps up ‘transformation’ with dissolution of Bi-Lo

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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