Funds raised will support Mayor Hogsett’s youth summer jobs initiative

INDIANAPOLIS (March 21, 2018) – Today, Mayor Joe Hogsett joined business and community leaders to announce that Genesys, the global leader in omnichannel customer experience and contact center solutions, will be the title sponsor for the 17th Annual Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity luncheon.  For the second year, this event will serve as a fundraiser for Mayor Hogsett’s youth summer jobs initiative, Project Indy, helping to connect teens with jobs, workforce training and mentorship opportunities.

“I want to applaud the team at Genesys for their commitment to our community. With this significant contribution, they continue to support talent recruitment, retention, and development in Indianapolis,” said Mayor Hogsett. “Just as diversity is our city’s greatest strength, it is the key to a competitive workforce. And as we come together at the Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity to highlight inclusive institutions and grow Project Indy, I know Indianapolis’ best days are ahead of us.”

The Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity, first hosted by Mayor Bart Peterson in 2001, recognizes local businesses and organizations that embrace and prioritize diversity in the workplace. Now, in addition to celebrating recent achievements, the luncheon presents an opportunity for Indianapolis institutions to contribute to Project Indy, building a stronger future for the city and bolstering the pipeline of local talent.

“We are proud to join other community stakeholders – including private and philanthropic partners – by supporting the Project Indy program, which strives to reach as many Indianapolis teens as possible,” said Tom Eggemeier, president of Genesys. “By working together to empower youth with soft skills training and real-life job experience, this organization is opening doors for young people, while preparing the city’s workforce of the future.”

The Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity recognizes outstanding performance in each of the following categories:

  • Leadership: Awarded to an organization that leads with vision to develop and support diversity strategies, resulting in diversity at the top of the organization.
  • Workforce Diversity: Acknowledges an organization that improves diversity across all levels.
  • Sam H. Jones “Best of the Best”: Named in honor of the Indianapolis Urban League’s first president – who was a tireless advocate for peace, justice, and racial understanding – this award recognizes exemplary performance in all aspects of diversity.

This year’s Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity Awards will take place on Thursday, March 29 at the Downtown Marriott. For the first time, an Excellence in Youth Employment award will be presented to a business or company that has made a meaningful investment in Indianapolis youth through employment or workforce development opportunities. Nominations were submitted to the City of Indianapolis’ Office of Minority and Women Business Development and vetted by a panel of civic leaders.

“Diversity is the cornerstone of a strong workforce and a thriving community,” said Camille Blunt, Director of the Office of Minority and Women Business Development. “It is a privilege to celebrate the businesses in our city who prove that an emphasis on inclusion and youth development leads to success in the marketplace.”

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About Genesys

Genesys® powers more than 25 billion of the world’s best customer experiences each year. Our success comes from connecting employee and customer conversations on any channel, every day. Over 10,000 companies in more than 100 countries trust our #1 customer experience platform to drive great business outcomes and create lasting relationships. Combining the best of technology and human ingenuity, we build solutions that mirror natural communication and work the way you think. Our industry-leading solutions foster true omnichannel engagement because they perform equally well across channels, on-premises and in the cloud. Experience communication as it should be: fluid, instinctive and profoundly empowering. Visit genesys.com on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and the Genesys blog.

About Project Indy

Project Indy provides meaningful opportunities for at-risk youth, giving hundreds of local young people job experience, useful skills, and safe and productive alternatives to crime and gangs over the summer months. The program comes at no additional cost to taxpayers, funded through federal grants, community organizations, and donations from leading corporations such as Genesys. This year, the program includes a new workforce preparedness program – Job Ready Indy – designed to provide soft skills training and prepare Project Indy youth for a diverse array of career paths.

Contact:
Taylor Schaffer
Communications Director
Office of Mayor Joe Hogsett – City of Indianapolis
taylor.schaffer@indy.gov
P: (317) 327-2793  C: (317) 694-0463
www.indy.gov