Verizon shows up for supplier diversity.
Spotlight on our Native American suppliers and supported communities.
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To be successful, we need a broad perspective of ideas and talents from our V Teamers. Working in diverse teams opens dialogue and promotes creativity, which in turn leads to better problem-solving and innovation. This extends beyond just the walls of our offices and retail stores, out to our diverse suppliers and the communities we are committed to moving forward for all.
Our suppliers
Did you know that we have spent $50B with diverse suppliers in the last 10 years? One example of that is a company called TeleCAD Wireless. A Native American-owned company, TeleCAD Wireless offers engineering, real estate and construction management services to the wireless industry, including electrical, civil, and structural design for new site builds, modification projects, macro design, and small cell design.
Chris Day and Steve Hunt, the founding members of the company, grew up together in the small town of Soddy Daisy, Tennessee. Chris is an active member of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi tribe and has served on their economic development board for three years. During this time, TeleCAD has assisted the tribe in two solar panel projects, as well as various engineering and construction management consultation projects. Chris shared, “I am hoping that we will continue to help my tribe, as well as others, to help build their infrastructure.”
Working as a supplier for Verizon for nearly 20 years, TeleCAD stays connected to their Native American heritage by incorporating the “The Seven Grandfather Teachings,” which include love, respect, bravery, truth, honesty, humility and wisdom, into their day-to-day operations.
Our community
Through Citizen Verizon, our plan for economic, environmental and social advancement, we recently launched a free online program called Verizon Skill Forward. It helps America’s workforce prepare for high-demand digital roles—from finding a career in tech to online training to getting social support and mentorship. Our goal with this plan is to offer training to 500,000 workers for jobs of the future by 2030. In addition to online plans like these, we also make donations to organizations in the community that align with our vision for the future and help diverse communities, like the Barcid Foundation.
Barcid is a non-profit organization offering educational opportunities to Native American communities. With the help of a recent donation from Verizon, the foundation was able to offer a youth multimedia workshop where participants produce digital video productions regarding community interactions, tribal heritage or social issues.
As V Teamers, we can be proud of the continued efforts our company makes in the community, seeking out opportunities to engage diverse communities and truly move the world forward for all.
