Two grocery industry figures have been recognized for their efforts to promote diversity in the workplace and, by extension, the wider community. Eric Watson, VP of Talent Acquisition and The Office of Diversity & Inclusion at Salisbury, N.C.-based Food Lion LLC, garnered The Diversity Forum’s first-ever Diversity Champion Award at the organization’s recent Networking Breakfast at the Marriott SouthPark in Charlotte, N.C., while James Sturgis Jr. (center of photo), director of supplier diversity for Landover, Md.-based Giant Food, LLC, received the President’s Award from the Maryland/District of Columbia Minority Supplier Development Council (MD/DC MSDC) at a Leadership Awards Gala held in Baltimore last month.

The Diversity Champion Award honors an individual who demonstrates outstanding community leadership and furthers Charlotte’s effort to promote employment diversity.

Since joining Delhaize Group subsidiary Food Lion, LLC in 2003, Watson has developed leadership mentoring programs to promote diversity and established an accountability system for business diversity. In addition to Watson’s award, Food Lion, LLC received an honorable mention for The Diversity Forum’s Trailblazer Award, which goes to a company that has demonstrated exceptional leadership and success in the recruitment, hiring and retention of a diverse workforce.

On hand to present the President’s Award to Giant’s Sturgis were Kenneth E. Clark, MD/DC MSDC president and CEO (at left in photo), and John Marshall, MD/DC MSDC chairman. The Leadership Awards Gala saluted business leaders for outstanding service to the organization.

The MD/DC MSDC, a local chapter of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, provides the opportunity for minority business owners and major corporations to work together. Sturgis earned the President’s Award for his leadership, support, and commitment to the organization’s mission, and specifically for his efforts to boost supplier diversity at Giant Food. Additionally, Sturgis received a certificate of special recognition from Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.).