PRIDE is Anthem’s African-American associate resource group.
“The St. Louis local chapter has been instrumental in helping our organization and our associates develop a deeper understanding of diversity in the workplace and in the marketplace,” said Monica Frias, diversity program manager for Anthem’s parent company, WellPoint.
WellPoint is one of the nation’s largest health benefits companies. In fact, one in nine Americans receives coverage for their medical care through WellPoint’s affiliated plans.
PRIDE promotes opportunities for leadership development and growth among all associates. The chapter also acts as internal consultants by providing cultural insight to business initiatives targeted at different segments of its multicultural marketplace.
PRIDE’s vision is to make Anthem the choice for African-American talent, customers, employees and suppliers, Frias said.
“Its mission is to provide a forum for members to enhance their professional and interpersonal skills, while being advocates in the communities they live, and supporting the achievement of Anthem’s goals and objectives,” she said. “Connect the mission and vision of PRIDE to the business.”
Here are some examples of what PRIDE-St. Louis has done in the workplace and community.
To honor Black History Month, associates were encouraged to wear Martin Luther King Jr./Obama T-shirts or black clothing on Thursday, February 21. Group members sold the T-shirts, and the proceeds were donated to the American Heart Association. Heart disease is the number one killer of African-American women.
In honor of President Obama’s upcoming inauguration and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the PRIDE Diversity and Inclusion Committee sponsored a trivia contest for associates with personal questions about the president.
In recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, PRIDE coordinated an “I have a Dream” Kiosk display.
Group members also host a “meet and greet” engagement to recruit new members and raise awareness about diversity and inclusion.
The group also hosts several community activities and events, including the “Feeding the Flock” event. PRIDE and other Anthem associates have helped serve food for local homeless shelters’ holiday parties. The PRIDE Associate Resource Group sponsored event provided meals and photos with Santa, entertainment, arts and crafts, small gift items for Santa shop, coloring books, toys, hats, gloves and scarves to the residents, which included a large group of children.
On April 27, more than 80 Anthem associates, friends and family members across Missouri joined forces to participate in the sixth annual Community Service Day. Anthem associates helped in building community gardens, improving a playground, hosting fitness activities for senior citizens, stocking food in backpacks for children, and cleaning up trash in a local park.
“I am proud of the fact that our associates take time from their busy lives to work a Saturday morning in our communities,” said Steve Martenet, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri. “It truly supports our mission to improve the lives of the people we serve and the health of our communities.”
In 2012, Anthem, its corporate foundation and associates in Missouri directed more than $2.1 million to health and community-focused causes and organizations throughout the state.
Nationwide, Wellpoint implemented a Diversity and Inclusion Ambassadors program, an initiative to weave diversity and inclusion into the fabric of the organization. Associates from different office sites across the country volunteer their time to promote awareness and understanding of WellPoint’s diversity efforts. They plan activities and events to celebrate diversity observances and company sponsored celebrations.
At the core of Wellpoint’s diversity initiatives are diversity training and education programs. The new hire orientation program includes a diversity and inclusion online course to help new associates become acquainted with WellPoint’s philosophy, strategies and programs in this area. More in-depth educational diversity opportunities are offered online as well as through regularly scheduled teleseminars. Associates also have access to an online diversity tool box with practical tools on how to effectively manage and champion diversity in the workplace.
WellPoint’s stated mission is “to improve the lives of the people we serve and the health of our communities.” Lance Chrisman, executive director of the Wellpoint Foundation, said, the mission’s success depends on the company’s ability to help associates understand the unique challenges facing its communities – and to provide the resources that allow associates to make a real difference in people’s lives.
“Recent demographic statistics indicate that the face of America is continuing to change rapidly,” Chrisman said. “One out of every three Americans is a member of a minority group. At the WellPoint Foundation our goal is to ensure that we are helping organizations that not only seek to improve health outcomes but also reflect the diverse nature of the communities in which we do business.”
