Dr. Johné BattleSVP, Chief Diversity Officer — He/Him

“My difference that makes a difference is working with intentional leaders to build an inclusive workplace where everyone can feel valued, respected, and supported.”

Dr. Battle grew up in the SWATS — Southwest Atlanta Too Strong! He is blessed to be the son of parents that were Civil Rights foot soldiers. His father was Rev. Dr. Noel Battle who was a march organizer for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and who sits in the prestigious Morehouse College’s Preachers Ring of Honor. His mother is Mrs. Martha Hall Battle, and her servant leadership started during the Civil Rights era when she was a secretary for the SCLC. Both of Dr. Battle’s parents were a part of the first F.W. Woolworth lunch-counter sit-ins.

“I share this bit of my background, not to impress you, but instead to impress upon you that I am standing on the shoulders of giants today. It is the work of all those that have gone before me which drives me to live a life of servant leadership,” Dr. Battle often states.

As a dynamic motivational and transformational speaker, Dr. Battle has taken the attention of students, athletes, educators and corporate executives of all ages, interests and backgrounds hostage with his energetic and heartfelt messages of hope, persistence and moving beyond your circumstances. His story of overcoming an early age reading disability to pursue an Ivy League doctoral degree has inspired audiences across the nation. He is an advocate for purposeful development, and intentional life-changing reimbursement by leveraging certain benefits and freedoms that can only come through both formal and informal education.

“My difference that makes a difference is working with intentional leaders to build an inclusive workplace where everyone can feel valued, respected, and supported,” Dr. Battle continues. “I am proud to work for Dollar General, where I get the opportunity to work with leaders everyday on behalf of 160,000+ associates employees to be the most inclusive retailer on the planet. Everyday, I am more and more inspired by the collaboration of my peers across the Dollar General enterprise to build an inclusive workplace future. It’s a privilege to work each day to make our stores the best and most inclusive shopping experience for our customers and the communities we serve.”

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 Diversity & Inclusion, Supply Chain — 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.