Diversity Events
The American Conference on Diversity's "Diversity Stride Walk-A-Thon"
Horizon BCBSNJ employees and their families took part in this event on Sunday, May 23 at Liberty State Park in Jersey City. All "Diversity Stride Walk-A-Thon" proceeds benefit the American Conference on Diversity's Youth Leadership Institute programs. Through the Youth Leadership Institute, the American Conference on Diversity provides diversity education and training to students throughout New Jersey. The programs within the Youth Leadership Institute provides the next generation the necessary skills to become future leaders in our schools, workplaces and communities. View the American Conference on Diversity video for more informaiton. | 
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Procurement Opportunities for Minority/Women Business Enterprises
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey attended the Procurement Opportunities for Minority/Women Business Enterprises event, hosted by Asian Women in Business (AWIB). AWIB is the only nonprofit organization in the country with the primary mission of assisting Asian women entrepreneurs. Over the years, AWIB has expanded its mission to address issues affecting the business and professional development of Asian women. AWIB sponsors conferences, workshops and seminars on a variety of business topics and holds frequent networking activities to enable members to make important business contacts.
Horizon BCBSNJ Affinity Groups Support Local Extended Care Facility
Members of the Horizon BCBSNJ Affinity Groups (Enlightenment and Empowerment Enterprise, Muslim Affinity Group, Asian American Affinity Group and the Latin American Cultural Organization) visited the Newark Extended Care Facility. Funds raised through an employee book sale were used to purchase gift bags filled with personal items, blankets and Wii games, which were given to the facility’s residents. | 
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Check Presented to Alexander Annex Early Childhood Center in Newark
Horizon BCBSNJ employees made $5 donations to participate in a “Giving is Always in Fashion Employee Jeans Day” in late September, 2009. The $11,000 raised was donated to the children of the Alexander Annex Early Childhood Center in Newark, and helped buy needed education materials for the class including educational games, puzzles, math reader library books, bookcases and storage cabinets. | 
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Susan G. Komen Event
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey was proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of the 16th Annual Susan G. Komen Central and South Jersey Race For The Cure.Held on Sunday, October 4 at Six Flags Great Adventure, the race is the largest of its kind in New Jersey, and is the state’s premier event to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer detection, research and treatment. Proceeds from the race support the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Award and Research Grant program. Seventy-five percent of the funds raised will stay in New Jersey and help pay for mammograms for those in need and support educational programs related to breast cancer awareness. The remaining funds will go to the organization’s national office for research programs to find a cure for breast cancer.
Freedom Award Ceremony
This award is the U.S. Government’s highest recognition given to employers for exceptional support of their employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve. Horizon BCBSNJ was recognized for its support of employee, Elsie Ortiz (Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve) during her 15 months on active duty. | 
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Forum on Achieving World Class Diversity Management Capability
A forum was held to address the many dimensions of diversity and how diversity has become a strategic force contributing to, and resulting from, globalization. Alison Banks-Moore, Diversity Officer at Horizon BCBSNJ, participated in a panel discussion with Dr. R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr. on Achieving World Class Diversity Management Capability. Emphasis was placed on the various roles executives play in building organizational diversity management capability.
Black History Month Celebration
Prior to 1925, little information could be found in the U.S. about African American history. A widely held belief existed that African Americans had made few contributions to U.S. society. In 1926, Carter G. Woodson spearheaded the first Negro History Week to raise awareness. Fifty years later, the week was expanded to a month. February was selected because of the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two individuals who dramatically affected the lives of African Americans.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
In 1983, the 98th Congress passed Public Law 98-144 honoring the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. First celebrated as a federal legal holiday on January 20, 1986, it is now observed on the third Monday in January. Congress intended for this holiday to "serve as a time for Americans to reflect on the principles of racial equality and nonviolent social change espoused by Martin Luther King, Jr."
On this day, we remember the life of this acknowledged national leader and the contributions he made to the civil rights movement during the 1960's.
Women’s History Month Celebration
The evolution of a month to honor women began on March 8, 1857, when garment workers in New York City staged one of the first organized protests by working women. Women’s groups internationally have designated times to mark this day. In an effort to begin adding women's history into educational curricula, a Women's History Week was initiated in 1978. By 1981, the week was a national event and, in 1987, the National Women's History Project petitioned Congress to include all of March as a celebration of women.
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
The observance of National Hispanic Heritage Week started in September 1968. In 1988, it became a month-long celebration (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15) encompassing the culture and traditions of people who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and Spanish-speaking countries of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
Diwali "Festival of Lights" Celebration
Festival of lights marking the beginning of the new year and one of the most important festivals. Lights, bonfires and fireworks welcome gods, ancestors, family and friends.
Muslim Celebration of Eid al-Fitr
Feast of the Breaking of the Fast. A celebration of the end of the Ramadan fast and a time of goodwill to all that begins at sundown the previous day. The date may change based on sighting of the moon.
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