NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C., Jan. 28, 2021 – Today, the South Carolina Racial Justice Network announced Boeing as the recipient of the 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Corporate Award. The award was presented to Boeing representatives at the company’s South Carolina manufacturing facility in North Charleston, South Carolina.
As part of the awards selection process, Boeing met key selection metrics based on the following commitments:
- Boeing is committed to growing a diverse and inclusive workforce and facilitates internal programs that provide personal and professional growth opportunities for teammates. Additionally, Boeing’s Learning Together Program provides tuition assistance for teammates to pursue college programs to enhance their career opportunities. Boeing has also taken strategic steps to ensure that its leadership teams – in South Carolina and other locations across the globe – reflect the diverse communities where the company operates.
- Boeing is committed to advancing racial equity and social justice through philanthropic support, volunteer efforts and community leadership. Over the past five years, Boeing has invested more than $17 million to support programs that helped educate, mentor and develop men and women from minority communities in South Carolina. And just last year, Boeing invested more than $4.6 million in programs across the state focused on racial equity and serving communities of color.
- Boeing also has strong partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities in South Carolina, including supporting numerous student internships, student and faculty capstone projects and engagements with Boeing teammates at Boeing South Carolina (BSC) and university campuses across the state. Most recently, Boeing announced a $1.5 million partnership with Allen University to establish the Boeing Institute on Civility, which will be a national hub for teaching and provide programming aimed at advancing civil discourse in America and across the globe.
- Boeing is committed to growing equity in education, particularly through the company’s DreamLearners program and other educational outreach programs extended to communities of color across South Carolina. Since 2012, DreamLearners has reached over 715,000 students, educators and community leaders in South Carolina. Due to the pandemic, Boeing transitioned to a virtual format and is currently working on new virtual offerings to expand the program’s reach across the state.
“Our organization is proud to present our Martin Luther King Jr. Corporate Award to Boeing South Carolina,” said Elder James Johnson, president of South Carolina Racial Justice Network. “Dr. King believed in a unified country that transcends color, racial barriers, and supports justice, health and the economic well-being of every citizen. Boeing is working hard to build a better workplace and community. We commend them for their efforts and are proud to partner with them.”
“We are honored to receive the MLK Corporate Award from the Racial Justice Network, and it is our shared responsibility to continue the work of those who came before us. While we are not perfect, Boeing is committed to confronting racism in our community head-on, and we have zero tolerance for it among our workforce,” said Lane Ballard, vice president and general manager of the 787 Program and Boeing South Carolina site leader. “Both inside and outside the walls of Boeing, we work hard to be a part of growing and sustaining a diverse workforce that reflects the vibrancy and diversity of South Carolina.”
The South Carolina Racial Justice Network is a multi-racial, grassroots human rights organization committed to combating systemic racism and ensure economic parity in South Carolina. The organization was founded by civil rights activist Elder James Johnson, who originally served as the president of the National Action Network South Carolina Chapter.
Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, and global services. As a top U.S. exporter, the company supports commercial and government customers in more than 150 countries and leverages the talents of a global supplier base. Building on a legacy of aerospace leadership, Boeing continues to lead in technology and innovation, deliver for its customers and invest in its people and future growth.
