BEN IS PIONEERING THE WAY COX AUTOMOTIVE TALKS ABOUT DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND EQUALITY. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT HOW THE CANADIAN TEAM GOT STARTED, REACH OUT TO BENCANADA@COXAUTOINC.COM AND IF YOU’D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT CHAMPIONING THE CAUSE LOCALLY – SPEAK TO YOUR LOCAL HR BUSINESS PARTNER.

Cox Automotive’s first Black Employee Network (BEN) formed last year in Canada and, in celebration of Black History Month, officially launched with its inaugural event on Monday 8th February attended by over 500 team members across nearly all of Cox Automotive International’s markets!

Hosted by BEN co-chairs Pako Tshiamala and Emiliano Void, the virtual event featured insights from local and global leaders from the Cox Automotive family as well as welcoming a guest speaker, Michael “Pinball” Clemons, to discuss his own experiences with racism and driving positive change.

Inspired by our Women with Drive network, the employee resource group BEN is open to any team member interested in better understanding and combating anti-black and systemic racism. Through its three pillars of Education, Celebration and Inspiration, BEN provides a safe and positive environment to discuss ideas and thoughts around inclusion and equality and encourages team members to play an active role in creating a better and more inclusive workplace.

In Canada, more than 50 team members currently contribute to BEN’s efforts with several initiatives launching in the coming months. Maria Soklis, President Cox Automotive Canada & Brazil, said: “As leaders in our industry and communities, we have a responsibility to champion positive change. We need to set an example by providing equal opportunities and ensuring everyone feels welcome and comfortable to bring their true self to work without any form of discrimination.”

“We are proud to support the Black Employee Network in their efforts to combat systematic racism through education, celebration and inspiration,” continued Soklis. “I am confident that BEN will generate intuitive ideas and initiatives that will continue to have a real and lasting impact on the opportunities for Black people within Cox Automotive Canada, the industry and our community.”