Sodexo Creates Magic with the National Urban League
By Darla Mayse, Senior Recruiter

Sodexo, along with Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and Bank of America, helped the National Urban League raise a record $2 million at the League's Annual Equal Opportunity Awards Dinner held on November 15, 2007.

The annual Equal Opportunity Awards Dinner (EOD) honors individuals and corporations who perpetuate the principle of equal opportunity and exhibit leadership qualities that result in notable contributions to the cause of equal rights. "The individuals and organizations honored at EOD set the example for all of us in their commitment to the greater community," said National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial. "This year's recipients display exceptional leadership encouraging minority empowerment in all aspects of society."

From left: John Carter, Liam McGhee, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Marc Morial, John Hofmeister, George Chavel, Chris Carter

The event was co-chaired by George Chavel, President and CEO of Sodexo North America and Liam E. McGee, president of Global Consumer & Small Business Banking at Bank of America Corporation. Earvin “Magic” Johnson, CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises and majority owner of SodexoMAGIC, presented the inaugural Entrepreneurship Award to Cris and John Carter of the Carter Brothers, LLC for demonstrating extraordinary commitment and dedication to economic empowerment. "I'm honored to join the National Urban League, Sodexo and the Bank of America in congratulating Cris and John Carter of Carter Brothers, LLC on receiving the first-ever Equal Opportunity Award for Entrepreneurship," said Johnson. "The advancement of minority-owned businesses and economic empowerment are issues I hold close — this award is a testament to the hard work of these entrepreneurs and the National Urban League." The Carter brothers formed the company in Atlanta, GA in 2001. Since that time, the company has become one of the country's largest electronic security and fire/life safety firms and been listed in Fortune magazine’s Top 500 list and in Black Enterprise magazine's Top 100 issue.

In 1956, the National Urban League held its first Equal Opportunity Day dinner, giving awards to U.S. Department of Labor Secretary James P. Mitchell and Jacob S. Potofsky, President of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. Since then, Muhammad Ali, Hillary and Bill Clinton, Iman, Quincy Jones and Spike Lee, among others, have been honorees.