Embracing Difference,
Serving Others
Our mission is simple: Serving Others. At DG, we’re working to be the most inclusive store, neighbor and employer in the world, with teams that reflect the diverse communities we serve. We put people first — with equity, authenticity and respect for each person’s dignity and difference front and center. Together, our differences make all the difference in building careers, stores, communities and a world inspired by serving others.
Why My Difference
Makes a Difference
We believe each person’s difference makes a difference because we’ve seen the power of diversity, inclusion and belonging to change lives.
With more than 19,000 stores located approximately within five miles of 75% of the U.S. population, we serve many diverse individuals, and we are inclusive by design. We see the potential of our company and colleagues to create lasting change by living our mission of Serving Others and respecting each person for who they are — and for who they can become.
For the past few years, we’ve been listening, learning and taking action to build a more diverse and welcoming organization. Our diversity is a strength we rely on as we serve our customers and communities.
This work starts with our leaders supporting and sponsoring talent across the organization and embedding our Diversity & Inclusion goals throughout the business.
We strive to be a good neighbor who responds to local needs and culture. We look to our business partners to do the same.
Racial Equity Audit
Dollar General’s diversity and inclusion focus, and efforts are anchored in our mission of Serving Others and our fourth operating priority–investing in our diverse teams through development, empowerment and inclusion. In the spring of 2022, with the direction and oversight of our board of directors, Dollar General partnered with Korn Ferry, an independent third-party consultant, to conduct a Racial Equity Audit to examine and analyze how Dollar General’s business practices may impact communities of color across four key stakeholder groups – employees, customers, communities, and business partners. This work will help Dollar General translate our vision and growth strategy to be a “Force for Opportunity” into tangible outcomes and opportunities for all stakeholders that we serve at Dollar General.
Below is a link to the full research report conducted in partnership with Korn Ferry:
DG Racial Equity Audit ReportDiversity won’t make a difference without inclusion
At DG, our priority is to invest in our diverse teams through development, empowerment and inclusion. We focus on equity, not just equality. We create inclusive workplaces, shopping experiences and communities where our customers and colleagues can bring their authentic selves — and know they belong.
We are successful in creating inclusive experiences because we:
1
Act inclusively everyday.
Everyone thrives with inclusive leaders. Inclusion is a shared responsibility between our organization and our people. Small everyday acts of inclusion promote a culture
of belonging and innovation.
Seek opportunities to connect with others who are different from you and build rapport with them
Pause and take a breath before acting and be aware of your reactions
Stretch your comfort zone by talking to others about differences and engaging in courageous conversations
Listen more and demonstrate that you are interested and engaged when someone is speaking
Assume positive intent when dealing with others
Learn from someone by asking questions about their day-to-day experiences and how you can support them
2
Find the evidence.
We leverage data to better understand our customers' and employee preferences and needs.
3
Develop empathy.
We seek to understand the emotional elements of our customer and employee experiences.
4
Engage everyone.
We include the voices of our customers and employees in everything we do. Together, we walk this journey towards a more inclusive environment, side by side.
5
Enable and empower.
We inspire and encourage our employees with the confidence to take action and bring their authentic selves to work every day.
Our Stories Make a Difference
Milestone moments on our Journey of Inclusion
Inclusion is the backbone to our mission of Serving Others. In 1939, our founder saw an opportunity for retail to be more responsive to the needs of rural communities. Throughout our existence, similar moments demonstrate an act of inclusion or a strategic move towards a more inclusive culture. Today, our customers, colleagues, and communities inspire us to continue this journey in our commitment to serving others – My Difference Makes a Difference.
1987
Dollar General launches GED / Learn to Read program
Dollar General's co-founder, J.L. Turner, was functionally illiterate with a third grade education. In his honor, Dollar General created a free referral program to help individuals learn to read or prepare for their high school
equivalency test. Referral brochures are located at the cash registers in all stores.
“Furthering one’s education can improve lives for generations to come.” - Cal Turner Jr.
1993
Dollar General Literacy Foundation is established
For nearly 30 years, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has been helping individuals increase their potential and pursue their dreams of a better tomorrow through the power of education. Through grant investments in local schools, nonprofits and libraries, we are supporting teachers, librarians and nonprofit leaders as they help individuals of all ages learn to read, prepare for the high school equivalency test or learn English. Learn more
Since 1993, the Foundation has awarded more than $216 million in grants and served more than 15.8 million individuals.
2006
Dollar General Begins Annual St. Jude Thanks and Giving® Campaign
The campaign asks customers to "Give thanks for the healthy kids in your life and give to those who are not." Dollar General offers shoppers the opportunity to support the Thanks and Giving campaign through donations at the register.
2010-2012
Dollar General launches 5 Employee Resource Groups to celebrate the diversity of our people
Dollar General launches 5 Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to provide a platform for diverse voices and ideas. Each ERG works to provide information and education that helps Dollar General foster a more diverse and inclusive work environment
and provide a stronger tie to the communities in which we live and serve.
2015
Dollar General appoints first woman as EVP, General Counsel
2017
“Perspectives” Organization-wide Conscious Inclusion training rolled out
2019
From Director to Chief People Officer
Kathy Reardon started her career at the Director level and after having served in multiple roles in HR was promoted to EVP & Chief People Officer.
2020
Dollar General appoints first woman as Chief Merchandising Officer
Emily Taylor is named Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer, the first woman to hold the role and one of the very few executives leading marketing at Fortune 100 companies.
2020
Dollar General and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation pledges $5 million to support racial justice and education
In December 2020, Dollar General and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation announced three initial grant recipients as part of a $5 million racial justice and education commitment. This pledge reflects DG’s ongoing mission of
Serving Others and its continued focus on diversity and inclusion by providing support to organizations that are working to accelerate racial equity. The initial recipients include the Equal Justice Initiative, Operation HOPE
and INROADS.
2020
DG establishes its first Diversity & Inclusion leadership role, and launches new D&I initiatives
DG appoints Dr. Johné Battle Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion leading the way on all D&I work. The 2020 Supplier Diversity Summit provides companies holding a wide variety of diversity certifications with an opportunity to meet with Dollar General merchandise buyers and category managers.
DG launches its 4th Operating Priority, “Investing in our diverse teams through development, empowerment and inclusion” to create and foster an inclusive environment where every employee and customers feels valued, respected and supported.
2021
The Dollar General Diversity & Inclusion team leads inclusive leader transformations across the company
The Dollar General Diversity & Inclusion team launches numerous learning and development opportunities for learning about the value of diversity, equity and inclusion.
The inclusive leader journey includes;
- All leaders completed
intercultural development inventory
- D&I team delivered over 11,000 hours of inclusive leadership content
- Additional new differentiated development programs launched
- Power of choice for underrepresented talent
- Continuous learning opportunities offered
2022
Expanded our Employee Resource Groups to our Field / Distribution Centers
2022
D&I leadership team grows and Dollar General begins first supplier diversity program
Two new directors join Kate Longfield who continues in her role as Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Store Support. Joining the team is Mark Person who was promoted to Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Retail, and Antoine Hinton Director, Supplier Diversity. Furthermore, Dr. Johne’ Battle is promoted to SVP, Chief Diversity Officer.
2023
Celebrating differences to serve others
Building on our 2022 launch of the My Difference Makes a Difference campaign, DG introduced Everyday Acts of Inclusion and deepened the Inclusion Learning Journey which began in 2020. Together, these initiatives are designed to reach all employees from the executive level to frontline managers.
Meet our Team
Kate LongfieldDirector of Diversity & Inclusion, Store Support — She/Her
“My difference matters because I believe everyone has the opportunity to be successful. I am constantly inspired by people in my life who have risen to a level of success that maybe only they saw possible.”
My name is Kate Longfield and I am a Director of Diversity and Inclusion, supporting our Store Support Center. I have worked in retail my whole career, starting as a cashier in high school. I’ve spent time working on the sales floor, in distribution centers, and supporting field partners, which has led me to not knowing how to sit at a desk for too long. I believe everyone deserves a work environment where they can show up as they are and not only be accepted but have their differences be valued. I also believe in a good dance party.
I moved a lot growing up and as an adult, so I know a thing or two about being the new kid and what it’s like to eat lunch alone. Living in many different cultures, from Connecticut to Alabama to Brazil and a few others in between, also fueled my innate curiosity, a spirit of adventure, and an openness to trying new things – be it food, experiences, or ways of life. It has also made me a very loyal friend, as well as someone passionate about finding allies, creating space for new (people, ideas, you name it), and having a welcoming house for those around me. As my parents always put it for my brother and me, any up or down in life is “all part of the great adventure.”
My difference matters because I believe everyone has the opportunity to be successful. I am constantly inspired by people in my life who have risen to a level of success that maybe only they saw possible in the beginning. If your head and heart are in the right place, you can do anything. Success is defined differently by everyone, and that is what makes the world a beautiful place. If I can help just one more person find their why and help them reach the dreams that drive them, I have found my success. And yes, I will always eat lunch with you.
Mark PersonDirector Diversity & Inclusion, Retail — He/Him
“My difference matters because it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish and more importantly, who you help along the way.”
I grew up in a small town in Mississippi and come from humble beginnings. Neither of my grandparents, mom or dad finished high school due to access issues based on race — my grandparents were born prior to 1900 and my parents in the 1930s. As a result of their lack of education, my parents each worked two jobs for the majority of my childhood struggling to provide for my siblings and me. My parents were determined to break the cycle of poverty, inequity and lack of access to opportunities by ensuring that we received a full education.
My parents understood education was the key to unlocking access to more opportunities and would help level the playing field. Through their determination, all five of my siblings and I attended college and have gone on to earn six bachelor’s degrees, three master’s degrees, one specialist and one doctoral degree. The success that my siblings and I enjoy today is the direct result of their intentional approach and sacrifices.
My personal experiences have fueled my desire to help others overcome obstacles by removing barriers that block or limit full access to opportunities. I chose this role to have more influence helping create and shape an environment of equity, inclusion and access for others.
My difference matters because it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish and more importantly, who you help along the way. I am excited and thankful to serve in this role because I now have an opportunity to be a voice for the unheard, a face for the underrepresented and an example for the often overlooked. I am proud to work for Dollar General, an organization that is as intentional and committed as my parents to fostering an inclusive environment where ALL can thrive and be successful.
Antoine HintonDirector of Supplier Diversity — He/Him
“My difference matters to me because I grew up working alongside my grandfather. I watched him build a business and invest in his community. I understand the economic impact supplier diversity programs can have on local communities.”
My professional career spans over 27 years in the areas of operations, inventory, merchandising, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at Sherwin-Williams, Ace Hardware, Sears Holdings, and True Value. Today, I am the Director of Supplier Diversity at DG.
My difference matters because I believe education pays off. I grew up lower middle class on the South Side of Chicago with parents who believed in education. My parents had limited financial resources yet sacrificed to invest in my secondary education. As a result, I enrolled in and received a B.S. in Marketing from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Coincidentally, I met my wife of 22 years at UIUC. We have two daughters. I also earned an MBA from Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois.
My difference matters because I benefited from mentors growing up. I learned the importance of giving back. In my spare time, I serve as a mentor for Master MINDS and on the Board of Directors for two organizations: BGI Foundation of Zeta Xi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha and Rock of Ages Baptist Church where I am also a Deacon.
My difference matters to me because I grew up working alongside my grandfather. He was an entrepreneur and I watched him build a business and invest in his community. I understand the economic impact that supplier diversity programs can have on local communities. Programs designed to enhance supplier diversity have the added benefit of creating economic opportunities that leads to job creation, reinvesting of resources back, and better businesses in the local communities. Further benefits are increased tax revenue, higher wages, better jobs, and enhanced school systems.
Leading Supplier Diversity at Dollar General is important to me for the following reasons:
- Diversity: Our employees and supplier base should reflect the communities that we serve.
- Equity: Our supplier diversity program should provide everyone with what they need to succeed.
- Inclusion: Our supplier diversity program should give suppliers a seat at the table they otherwise may not get.
- Business case: Our inclusive procurement strategy should widen the pool of potential diverse suppliers and promotes competition in the supplier base which can improve innovation, product quality, and drive down costs. Further, investment in diverse markets translates into investment in our company.
- Values: Our supplier diversity program should reflect our global/corporate commitment to fight racial discrimination.
Joi N. BassDirector of D&I, Retail — She/Her
“My difference matters because I have experienced feeling out of place, like I did not belong, but I had people in my life that helped me navigate through my differences and accepted me with no judgment.”
I am Joi Bass, Director of Diversity & Inclusion, supporting our Supply Chain. I have over 20 years of experience in retail and operations at major retailers and operations such as CVS Pharmacy, Caterpillar Corporation, Cargill Grain Export, and Target.
My difference matters because I serve on the Board of Directors for Longview Queens United as a teen mentor and the Chair of Fundraising. I also serve on the Advisory Board of the Applied Engineering Technology Program at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University. As a 19-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, I serve as the Chair of the Empower Our Families Initiative in the Kappa Alpha Omega Chapter.
I am in the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion role because I value employees feeling safe, respected, and connected in the workplace and I want to ensure barriers are removed so that employees can bring their whole selves to work and celebrate them for all that they are.
I received my B.S. in Manufacturing Systems & Technical Management from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University and I am a certified Safety Management Specialist through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. I have a wonderful husband and we have two sons and one daughter.
Resources to help make a difference
From DG Employee Resource Groups
If you are a diverse supplier and interested in doing business with Dollar General, please click here to learn more.
Ready to join us in our mission of Serving Others?
What started as a single store is now a Fortune 150 company with more than 19,000 locations in 47 states. With 170,000+ employees and counting, we’re growing fast and so can you. There are endless opportunities for you, including award-winning training programs and career paths in retail, distribution, transportation or corporate. The possibilities are endless!
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