Grocer announces 40 recipients of the 2023 Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant

Southeastern Grocers Inc. (SEG), parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, together with the SEG Gives Foundation, is proud to announce it has awarded $1 million in belonging, inclusion and diversity (BID) grants to nonprofits throughout the Southeast since 2020. This milestone includes the recipients of the 2023 Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant totaling 40 nonprofits with missions to elevate underserved communities throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.

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Local recipients of the 2023 Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity grant program joined Southeastern Grocers in celebrating Ms. Romay Davis, the grant namesake, ahead of her 104th birthday on Thursday, Oct. 26 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Photo: Business Wire)

The Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant program 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. The 40 nonprofits selected for this year’s program will each be awarded a $10,000 grant with funds totaling $400,000. The recipient organizations are:

• 904WARD, Inc.
• American Heart Association
• Baptist Health
• Better Basics
• Boys & Girls Club of Metro Louisiana
• Boys & Girls Club of Palm Beach County
• Boys & Girls Club of Chattahoochee Valley
• Brighter Bites
• Communities In Schools of Jacksonville
• Covenant House New Orleans
• Epic-Cure Inc.
• Feeding America Tampa Bay Inc.
• Foundation for Woman’s
• Grace Medical Home
• Hope Haven
• Jack & Jill Center
• Junior Achievement of North Florida
• Magic City Harvest
• MaliVai Washington Kids Youth Foundation, Inc.
• Medical Outreach Ministries
• Mississippi Early Learning Alliance
• Our Daily Bread Food Pantry
• Feeding Northeast Florida
• Schoolyard Roots
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, Inc.
• Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay, Inc.
• Society of St. Andrew
• Son of a Saint
• South Florida Hunger Coalition
• Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR)
• TANKPROOF
• Teach For America, Inc.
• The Community Health Center of West Palm Beach
• The Immokalee Foundation
• The Jacksonville Humane Society
• The Sanctuary of Northeast Florida, Inc.
• Treasure Coast Food Bank
• Tree Hill Nature Center
• Women’s Breast & Heart Initiative, Florida Affiliate
• Youth Empowerment Project

Raymond Rhee, Chief People Officer of Southeastern Grocers, said, “This year marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to championing belonging, inclusion and diversity, and empowering the local communities we serve. Through our support of these organizations, we believe we can build stronger, more resilient communities for all. It’s our privilege to provide these grants to exceptional nonprofits that are making a real difference in the lives of our neighbors and transforming communities. These 40 nonprofits have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to fostering positive change, and we are eager to see the continued impact they will make with our support.”

The Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant program reaffirms SEG’s steadfast commitment to racial equity and social justice by offering qualified nonprofits opportunities to receive financial support to help level the playing field for individuals of all backgrounds. This marks the fourth year SEG has awarded grants to likeminded nonprofits in the grocer’s Southeastern footprint, with a total of 104 grants presented since its inception in 2020.

SEG’s BID grant recipient announcement follows the 104^th birthday of Winn-Dixie associate and grant namesake Romay Davis. Last week, SEG celebrated Ms. Romay, as she is lovingly called, turning 104 years old with a birthday gathering at her Winn-Dixie store in Montgomery, Alabama alongside her friends, family and local community.

More About the Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant Namesake

The Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant is named for the trailblazing 104-year-old Winn-Dixie associate Romay Davis, whose dedication to inclusivity and unwavering commitment to diversity and empowerment inspired the grant program aimed at elevating underserved and underrepresented communities. In an era marked by restricted rights for women and people of color, Davis consistently shattered glass ceilings by challenging society’s limited beliefs with her unfathomable accomplishments. Davis is a World War II U.S. Army veteran, NYU multi-degree scholar, New York fashion designer and model, Taekwondo Black Belt and community advocate. At 80 years old, Davis started her career with Winn-Dixie in Montgomery, Alabama to stay active and engaged; she continues to motivate others through her story and enduring dedication.

In 2022, The National WWII Museum in New Orleans recognized Davis for her contributions as a veteran of the U.S. Army 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, and presented her with the Silver Service Medallion for her exemplary military service and exceptional leadership. The 6888th was the only all-Black Women Army Corps unit deployed overseas during World War II, and was assigned the momentous and critical task to clear more than two years’ worth of backlogged mail. Davis’ unit was given six months to sort 18 million pieces of mail, which they completed in three months. By restoring the timely flow of mail between the front lines and the Home Front, Davis and the women of the 6888th significantly raised the morale that sustained troops through the final months of the war.

About Southeastern Grocers

Southeastern Grocers Inc. (SEG), parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is an omnichannel retailer and one of the largest conventional supermarket companies in the U.S., serving customers in brick-and-mortar grocery stores, liquor stores and in-store pharmacies as well as online with convenient grocery delivery and curbside pickup throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. Fresco y Más, 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.frescoymas.com, 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 Fresco y Más, 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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