Welcoming Business Award

Nominations for the Welcoming Business Award are being accepted.

The Better Together Advisory Board announces the creation of the Welcoming Business Award to be given annually. The purpose of the Welcoming Business Award is to:

• Reward and publicly recognize leadership actions that create a welcoming and inclusive business environment in the City of Decatur;
• Encourage businesses to prioritize inclusivity as a “best practice;”  and
• Publicize and share “best practices” among local businesses.

The Better Together Advisory Board will name recipients of the “Welcoming and Inclusive Business Award” every year to be given out by the City Commission in conjunction with the City of Decatur’s Hometown Hero Awards. Award criteria includes:

• Increasing accessibility for people with disabilities;
• Creating a welcoming environment for people who are historically marginalized based on race, gender, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age;
• Recruiting and hiring practices aimed at creating a diverse staff;
• Training of staff to be aware of diversity and offer welcome to all patrons;
• Creating an overall welcoming and inclusive environment while supporting public health in the City of Decatur by implementing necessary protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic;
• Anything else that creates a welcoming and inclusive environment. 

The deadline to submit nominations is October 11. Nomination forms may be submitted online. Printable forms are also available for submission via email to Renae Jackson, renae.jackson@decaturga.com or mail it to her attention at City of Decatur, PO Box 220, Decatur GA 30031.

The Better Together Advisory Board was established as a result of the Better Together Community Action Plan for Equity, Inclusion and Engagement. Focus Area 4 of the Community Action Plan is to “Cultivate a welcoming and inclusive retail environment for serving a diverse clientele.” The Advisory Board created The Welcoming and Inclusive Business Award to highlight those businesses who make equity and inclusion a priority.

For more information contact Renae Jackson, renae.jackson@decaturga.com.