Grocer announces 2024 Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant recipients in honor of namesake’s birthday and legacy
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Oct. 29, 2024) – Southeastern Grocers Inc. (SEG), parent company and home of Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, together with the SEG Gives Foundation, is proud to announce the 2024 recipients of its annual Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant.
The grant’s namesake, Ms. Romay as she was lovingly called, died earlier this year at the rich age of 104. In a special tribute, the grocer’s program is supporting 50 nonprofit organizations this year in remembrance and celebration of her incredible life and legacy. The deserving recipients, chosen from a competitive pool of applicants, exemplify the same unwavering dedication to inclusivity and empowerment that Ms. Romay embodied throughout her extraordinary life.
The Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant supports organizations that work to address racial disparities in health care, food insecurity and education, while building a more inclusive and equitable future for all. Today, on Ms. Romay’s birthday, SEG is awarding a total of $487,500 in grant funds to the following 50 nonprofit recipients:
· 904WARD
· American Diabetes Association
· Baptist Health
· Better Basics Inc.
· Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana
· Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County
· Boys and Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley
· Breakthrough Birmingham
· Brighter Bites
· College Choice Foundation
· Communities In Schools of Jacksonville
· Concrete Jungle
· Covenant House New Orleans
· Extra Table
· Feeding Northeast Florida
· Feeding Tampa Bay
· First Coast American Heart Association
· Foundation Honey Co.
· Hope Haven
· Hunger Fight Inc.
· Jack and Jill Center
· Jacksonville Humane Society
· Junior Achievement of Alabama
· Junior Achievement of North Florida
· Leaders of Excellence Inc.
· Library Foundation of Jacksonville
· Louisiana Center for Health Equity
· Magic City Harvest
· MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation Inc.
· Open Hand
· Orlando Health Foundation Inc.
· Our Daily Bread Food Pantry Inc.
· Parker Street Ministries
· Rehab and Beyond Inc.
· Sanctuary on 8th Street
· Schoolyard Roots
· Second Harvest of the Big Bend
· Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay Inc.
· Society of St. Andrew – Alabama
· Society of St. Andrew – Florida
· Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR)
· Tankproof
· Teach for America Inc.
· The Jericho School
· The Sharing Center
· The Women’s Breast & Heart Initiative, Florida Affiliate
· Thrive Scholars
· Tree Hill Nature Center Inc.
· Vision is Priceless Council Inc.
· Youth Empowerment Project
Raymond Rhee, Chief People Officer for Southeastern Grocers, said, “As a people-first company, we believe in the power of coming together to create a meaningful, lasting difference in the lives of our neighbors. We are incredibly proud to support these exceptional nonprofits that work tirelessly to uplift and empower the communities we serve. Ms. Romay’s dedication in the face of adversity is a constant inspiration for us, and we are honored to continue to uphold her remarkable legacy as we work to build a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
SEG is steadfast in its commitment to cultivating a culture of belonging for its associates, customers and communities across its five-state footprint. The grant program aims to provide vital funding to nonprofits that align with the grocer’s dedication to inclusivity, working to empower individuals to be their authentic selves while breaking down long-standing barriers.
Since its inception in 2020, the Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant has awarded nearly $1.6 million in funding to like-minded nonprofits with missions to elevate underserved communities throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.
More About the Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant Namesake
The Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant is named in honor of the trailblazing Winn-Dixie associate Romay Davis, whose remarkable 104 years of life were defined by her steadfast dedication to community advocacy and social justice. Her influential legacy endures beyond her passing on June 21, 2024, evident in the lasting impact of her actions on the future generations who carry forward her values. Ms. Romay, a true pioneer, broke countless barriers during a time when women and people of color faced significant challenges. A member of the U.S. Army’s 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, she served her country within the only all-Black Women Army Corps unit deployed overseas during World War II. The 6888th cleared more than two years of backlogged mail in just three months, restoring communication between troops and their families to boost critical morale during the war's final months. Her extraordinary achievements also include earning multiple degrees from NYU, working as a New York fashion designer and model, achieving a Taekwondo Black Belt and receiving the Congressional Gold Medal. At 80 years old, Ms. Romay rejoined the workforce as a Winn-Dixie associate in Montgomery, Alabama, where she continued to serve her community. Throughout her years, she touched countless lives, and her legacy continues to inspire people to pursue greatness while uplifting those around them.
About Southeastern Grocers Southeastern Grocers Inc. (SEG), parent company and home of Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is an omnichannel retailer serving customers in brick-and-mortar grocery stores and liquor stores, as well as online with convenient grocery delivery and curbside pickup throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie are well-known and well-respected regional brands with deep heritages, strong neighborhood ties, proud histories of giving back, talented and caring associates and a strong commitment to providing the best possible quality and value to customers. For more information, visit www.harveyssupermarkets.com and www.winndixie.com.
About SEG Gives Foundation
SEG Gives Foundation is the charitable arm of Southeastern Grocers Inc. (SEG), parent company of Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie stores. The SEG Gives Foundation aligns giving with causes that are priorities to the communities SEG serves, including the fight against hunger, support for military service members and their families, relief to those affected by extreme weather and natural disasters and championing belonging, inclusion and diversity by combating social injustice to bridge the gap of inequities faced by many individuals, families and communities. Southeastern Grocers strives to be ingrained in its communities and, through the SEG Gives Foundation, better the lives of its customers and neighbors.
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