2024 Power of Inclusion (POI) Awards & Board Walk of Fame (BWOF) Luncheon


Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Time and Location: 11:00am-1:00pm

Music City Center, 201 Rep. John Lewis Way South Nashville, TN 37203

Power of Inclusion

For the past 18 years, the Power of Inclusion (POI) Awards has recognized Nashville individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that champion diversity and demonstrate innovative methods to enhance diversity and inclusion. Nominees are evaluated and selected by Cable’s panel of experts on Diversity Best Practice. Awards criteria reflect high standards for a diverse workplace, covering hiring practices, efforts to advocate for diversity in the Nashville community, and demonstrable achievement in resolving inequalities between different segments of the workforce.

Diversity is having a seat at the table; inclusion is having a voice; and belonging is having that voice heard.

Award Categories

Individual Award

The Individual Award recognizes someone whose personal behavior is a model of inclusion and is a catalyst for inclusive relationships among diverse populations in the community.

Submit Individual Award Nominee

Business Award

The Business Award recognizes a Corporation that ‘walks the talk’ and demonstrates a commitment to diversity and inclusion in their employment practices, programs and community outreach.

Submit Business Award Nominee

Non-Profit Award

The Not-for-Profit Award recognizes a Not-for-Profit entity that facilitates understanding and promotes opportunity for underserved communities.

Submit Non-Profit Award Nominee

Award Criteria

Nominations will be evaluated for outstanding accomplishments in achieving and sustaining diversity and inclusion within one’s unique spheres of influence. Nominees will excel in most, if not all, of the following areas:

  1. Demonstrates a consistent pattern of advocating for individuals in underserved populations
  2. Demonstrates efforts exceeding his or her job responsibilities to promote and ensure diversity and inclusion
  3. Cultivates and promotes initiatives that foster a more inclusive and equitable work, earnings or community environment
  4. Demonstrates measurable results towards increased diversity and inclusion within their sphere of influence
  5. Exhibits visionary and insightful leadership to resolve business inequities through strategic decision-making and program development

About the Board Walk of Fame

Cable honors Tennessee women and companies taking the lead in promoting women on corporate boards through its annual Power of Inclusion event. During the event, these corporate leaders – who have acted on the evidence that more women on boards and in senior leadership positions lead to improved financial results and corporate vitality – are recognized and inducted into Cable’s Corporate Board Walk of Fame.

Studies show that, while the percentage of female directors is improving, Tennessee continues to rank among the lowest states for representation of women on corporate boards. More champions are needed to increase the number of women in leadership positions and on boards. By hosting Power of Inclusion, Cable strives to show the business community in Tennessee, and beyond the availability of qualified women and the value women bring to corporate boards.

Submit a BWOF Nominee

2022 Fireside Chat With Dr. Beverly Guy-Sheftall

Beverly Guy-Sheftall is the founding director of the Women’s Research and Resource Center (1981) and Anna Julia Cooper Professor of Women’s Studies at Spelman College. For many years she was a visiting professor at Emory University’s Institute for Women’s Studies where she taught graduate courses in Women’s Studies.

She has published a number of texts within African American and Women’s Studies which have been noted as seminal works by other scholars. She is the past president of the National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA) and was recently elected to the National Academy of Arts and Sciences (2017).

Moderated by Brynn Plummer