As a company, H-E-B stands on the belief that each and every person counts. Wouldn’t that be beautiful if it were true? Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached about it. Congresswoman Shirley Chisolm lobbied for it. Congressman John Lewis fought for it. President Barack Obama believed in it. Vice President Kamala Harris broke barriers for it.

Over the years we have constantly chipped away at America’s problem with systemic racism. Yet, still, the problem persists. If we take what divides us to unit us, together we could bring about real change. We could be the change we want to see.

This month H-E-B took a bigger stab at America’s problem by doing something they have always done but in a much larger way. H-E-B, Texas #1 grocer is committing to be the change we all should see. Since the very beginning H-E-B has been a company that is the kind of neighbor that knows for any situation to change it is going to take unity, not separation, of others. People coming together to carve out a solution for a larger problem. One hundred sixteen years later, H-E-B is still standing on the pillar that people and communities work better together because each and every person still counts.

To better illustrate this point, H-E-B decided to amp up the framework for their already established inclusion and diversity program with a new initiative called Be the Change. H-E-B’s Director of Diversity & Inclusion and Supplier Diversity James Harris explained that the initiative has a new name but the work is not new. The multi-prong program will help make H-E-B a better retailer, employer, and community partner.

Being a Better Retailer, Employer, and Community Partner

“It is really about working with driving economic impact, providing more opportunities, and a level playing field for those underrepresented businesses,” Harris said about how H-E-B would become a better retailer for all types of businesses.

Shoppers can see the evidence of this part of the initiative when they shop at H-E-B. Go up and down the aisles and view products that are not found at other stores as the products are not from big box brands but are from small businesses made by your neighbors and those in the community from all over the state. During Black History Month, H-E-B will shine light on some of these Black-owned vendors and suppliers. Some featured companies include RAP Snacks, The Jank, Firstline Brands, Frenchy’s, Grain4Grain, Just Poppin, Elven86 Real Artesian Water, McBride Sisters Wines, Jinka, Me & the Bees Lemonade, Patti’s Good Life Frozen Foods, Branwar Wine Distributors, Savannah Rose Sweet Tea Punch, and Cleverly.

“We think it is important that they get supported, not just through H-E-B, but through the community as well. They maybe Black-owned but their product has total mass appeal for everyone not just Black-owned businesses making products for Black people,” said Harris.

In order to become a better employer, Harris indicated that H-E-B has plans to increase its diversity, equity, and inclusion within the company and up and down the ranks of management. The plan also includes having recruiters be even more strategic in where they go to recruit talent and visit traditional HBCUs. Further support will be given to employees with the launch of H-E-B partner resource groups where people can congregate with those whom they most identify with to nurture self-help and self-development.

“It is all about everybody having a place and everybody fitting in and belonging,” commented Harris on how to make employees feel like there is a place just for them with H-E-B.

The last component is to be a better community partner is something that has always been a part of the H-E-B mantra in times of crisis and/or need. H-E-B has a practice of giving 5% of their pre-tax earnings to non-profit organizations that help alleviate problems concerning social, political, educational, and financial needs of underrepresented people of color. In addition, H-E-B also has their own signature programs to help build and support the community like Here Everything’s Better, Feast of Sharing, Mobile Kitchen, and Disaster Relief programs.

“It is something we have always done. It is just now we are doing it even more,” added Harris.

The Be the Change initiative first launched last year when H-E-B set aside $1 million to be distributed to nonprofit organizations throughout Texas. That fund has since increased to $1.5 million, in large part, due to the support of customers. H-E-B provides check stand tear pads where customers can donate $1, $3, $5, or $10 to their grocery bill to help support programs in their community. H-E-B will continue to add to that fund and customers are welcome to continue to make donations as well.

Since 1905, when Florence Thornton Butt first sold just a few products door-to-door until the big retail giant of present day, H-E-B has always been a company that supported everyone from the least of these to those richly blessed. As Harris puts it, “It’s just in our DNA.” He continued, “H-E-B has a long standing and long term commitment to all cultures and cities across Texas. We want to make the pie bigger for everyone because we understand it is a commitment to innovation and inclusion and we are always looking for better ways to support our customers.”

Thank you H-E-B for being the Change we all need to be and see.