As one of the country’s largest employers, we are committed to continuing our progress to become a more equitable company for all associates through our Framework for Action: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) plan. As part of our commitment, we recently named Monica Garnes, president of the Fry’s Division, executive chair of the DE&I Advisory Council. In addition, Kevin Lindsey, HR leader for the Delta Division, was named DE&I Key Leader where he will lead a team of others to make change and ensure we’re holding ourselves accountable at the highest level.

As leaders of change, Monica and Kevin shared their reflections on what Martin Luther King Jr. Day means to them and how his passion and commitment are inspiring them in their new roles.

Reflections on Martin Luther King. Jr. Day

By Monica Garnes, President of Fry’s Food Stores and Executive Chair of Kroger’s DE&I Advisory Council

When I reflect on the work of Martin Luther King, Jr., I am inspired by his passion, commitment and courage to highlight the importance of civil and economic rights. He was masterful at using words to demonstrate the inherent value of all human beings and the benefits of a united America that resonated not only with African Americans but with all Americans.

I am also inspired to consider how can we carry these ideas into the future. Full equality still needs to be realized. Each of us plays a role in creating an environment – in the community, government, businesses, everywhere – that is welcoming and a place where every person can thrive and participate.

Kroger has the opportunity to become a leader in implementing and embracing a robust diversity, equity and inclusion framework that can become a model for other companies. By focusing intentionally on our two values of Diversity and Inclusion, we can help reshape what a unified workplace means for each and every one of us.

Similar to how any movement has made progress, it will take all of us working together to make a difference and bring this change not only to Kroger, but to our society and nation.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a day to commemorate his remarkable life and accomplishments, but the work that he so passionately fought for is something we need to focus on each day of the year. I invite you all to join me on this journey.

Reflections on Martin Luther King. Jr. Day

By Kevin Lindsey, HR Leader for the Delta Division and DE&I Initiative Owner

In thinking about how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life influences my own, I think about how, with great passion and personal sacrifice, he taught a message of service to others while advocating for civil rights for all.

Each year, I take my family to visit the National Civil Rights Museum, here in Memphis, Tennessee to share this important history with my children and remind them of the importance of hard work, service and honorable achievement.

These values have propelled me throughout my life from childhood to college, where I joined Kappa Alpha Psi and committed myself to the fraternity’s fundamental purpose of “achievement in every field of human endeavor.” And today, I have been fortunate to work for a company whose values so closely align with my own.

It’s this time each year that I ask myself: am I living out these values? What I have come to realize is when you plant good seed, eventually you reap a good harvest. It’s an infinite cycle.

My new role as Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Initiative Owner is a valued opportunity to start a new cycle of planting good seed. As HR leader in Delta, I get great joy being an advocate for associates, offering a listening ear and promoting the well-being of men and women at all levels of the organization. I especially enjoy seeing these associates reap the benefits of hard work, service and honorable achievement.

And now, with the support of our senior leaders, who continue to motivate me to drive change, and a strong DE&I council, I am committed to advance our DE&I initiatives for all Kroger associates.

I applaud all of you who are on this journey with us. Your support and encouragement are truly inspiring. I look forward the work we will do together.

Our Chief People Officer Tim Massa often closes his meetings with the phrase “Better Together.”  This has always resonated with me and I want to add that we are truly Better Together – with our differences.

In closing, I urge each of you to reflect on this quote from Dr. King.  “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”