INCLUSION & DIVERSITY AT TRUE VALUE

Our company believes a diverse and inclusive work environment is about more than understanding or accepting attributes such as race, gender and religious beliefs. It means leveraging the variety of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives that make each individual unique for the purpose of moving our organization to be world class.

Mission

To encourage True Value to lead the way as an inclusive wholesaler through employment practices, supplier decisions, and community involvement.

Vision

To cultivate an inclusive environment where diverse ideas and individual perspectives are expected, respected and valued.

WORKPLACE & CULTURE IN ACTION

SUPPLIER DIVERSITY

True Value's Supplier Diversity Program proactively partners with diverse businesses to procure goods and services that align with our corporate business strategies. It’s our mission to foster an inclusive environment that provides maximum opportunities for diverse businesses to participate as partners and suppliers of goods and services. Learn more.

DIVERSITY AT JOB FAIRS

We are committed to proactively seeking diverse talent by attending various diversity job fairs throughout the city. Through these events, we interact directly with a myriad of potential candidates that we may not have the opportunity to speak with otherwise. Our Inclusion & Diversity recruiting committee is dedicated to expanding & influencing True Value’s diversity talent pool.

ASSOCIATE TRAINING

We strive for a company culture that continually advocates for inclusion and diversity of all associates and communities. We don't just talk the talk. We walk the walk. To achieve this, we offer numerous I&D training, engagement and community outreach opportunities throughout the year. From cultural lunch & learns to local volunteerism and everything in between, there is no shortage of meaningful and eye-opening I&D experiences for associates at True Value.

Making a Real Difference

Let's Talk! Race, Racisim & Next Steps

Diversity Strategist, Torin Ellis led an interactive conversation around current events, inclusive capitalism, race and workplace culture. Challenging us on individual responsibility and being more HUMAN at work and beyond.
Connect with Torin Ellis

Book Club: The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America

How segregation in America—the incessant kind that continues to dog our major cities and has contributed to so much recent social strife—is the byproduct of explicit government policies at the local, state, and federal levels.
Watch Segregated by Design

Back-to-School Supply Drive to Support our True Value Boys & Girls Club

Collectively our associates teamed up by department and helped donate over $6,850 worth of supplies
Learn more about True Value Boys & Girls Club

Ronald McDonald House of Chicago Donation Drive

Our associates had a friendly competition and helped donate 10 pallets worth of product resulting in the largest donation drive ever received at the Ronald McDonald House of Chicago
Learn more about Ronald McDonald House

Senior Citizen Outreach at Norwood Crossing Retirement Community

Helped prepare, plate and serve a tasty brunch to the community residents while also brightening their days with some great conversations, live music & gifted plants for their homes
Learn more about Norwood Crossing Retirement Community

Illuminating Ability with The Chicago Lighthouse

Bringing awareness to the many accessible programs, support and technology for those who are blind or visually impaired. True Value also sponsored a lighthouse sculpture as part of The Chicago's "Lighthouse's on the Mag Mile".
Learn more about Chicago Lighthouse

Transgender Diversity with Precious Davis

Moderated discussion led by Precious Davis and former Senior Vice President Cathy Anderson. Associates learned about the misconceptions about transgender men and women, as well as non-discrimination laws covering the transgender community
Learn more about Precious Davis

Mental Health Awareness

Heather Bodie of Erasing the Distance, led an interactive experience to educate and disarm the stigma around talking about mental health in the workplace.
Learn more at Erasing the Distance

German American Awareness

DANK Haus of Chicago, Museum Director Rosaw Gallagher shared how German culture influenced the American Midwest.
Learn more about DANK Haus Chicago

LGBTQ + Pride with Center on Halsted

Three panelists from the LGBT Speakers Bureau shared personal stories from different generational perspectives on the progress achieved through the years, as well as what still needs to happen to assure full equality. Pride flags were also provided to all associates and still stand proudly throughout our company’s floors
Learn more about Center on Halsted

Understanding Domestic Violence with Sarah's Inn

Associates were provided purple ribbons to wear during the month of October while also attending a lunch & learn with guest speaker from Sarah’s Inn – one of the largest and most comprehensive domestic violence agencies in Chicago
Learn more about Sarah's Inn

Holiday Stocking Drive

Associates helped donate clothing, games & holiday candy to stuff over 100 holiday stockings for Chicago Veterans. Associates then helped pass them out at the Jesse Brown VA Hospital and also helped with their Veterans food pantry!
Learn more about the Chicago VA

Stop Workplace Bullying with Christine Corelli

Interactive discussion on how workplace bullying can affect productivity, customer service and our bottom line. Associates learned what motivates a bully, common bullying tactics and effective intervention techniques
Learn more about Workplace Bullying

Serving Meals for those in Need at Breakthrough

A group of volunteers prepared and served meals for over 50+ men and women at the local Breakthrough support centers in Chicago's East Garfield Park
Learn more about Breakthrough

The Inclusion & Diversity Council Leaders

Inclusion matters to me and to True Value Company because it makes associates feel valued, trusted, and empowered. It ultimately leads to better engagement and helps in retaining, as well as attracting, new talent. At the core of inclusion is diversity, which we embrace because we all come from different walks of life and our unique characteristics, ideas, backgrounds, and experiences not only make us a better company, but a more innovative one with a competitive advantage. More simply, it's just the right thing to do. No one should ever feel excluded or ostracized because they are different from their peers. Everyone should be embraced and treated equally. By celebrating our associates' differences, we maximize our full potential.

Antoine Hinton
Chair

When everyone gets a seat at the table, we can be stronger then ever as a company. That's why inclusion and diversity are so important to me and why I know it is vital for the continued growth of our company. Over the last few years I’ve watched our company grow tremendously and I know it’s in part because of the incredible work put forth by our I&D Council. It’s such a pleasure to work with the council and our leaders on something that is so near and dear to me and I’m thrilled to see us take things to the next level in the coming years!

Brian Rhinehart
Co-Chair

True Value has truly become a leader in the Chicago-land area for inclusion and diversity work. Our programs - both voluntary and mandatory - have garnered attention from companies large and small who hope to emulate what we have created. What a benefit to our brand! It is amazing to be able to work on something that is so personally meaningful and which can truly benefit the business.

Theresa Shea
Executive Sponsor

Contact the I&D Council at I&D@truevalue.com