WASHINGTON, DC— Marriott International has reportedly become a major sponsor of the National Urban League’s Black Executive Exchange Program (BEEP), which sends business leaders to historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to lecture about practical workplace issues. BEEP is said to be one of a number of programs Marriott supports as part of a five-year strategic partnership the company entered into with the National Urban League last year. As part of the agreement, Marriott is committed to sponsoring recruitment, education and career-development programs. The National Urban League, which has selected Marriott as its preferred lodging provider, has been described as helping the mega hospitality firm seek out and identify new multicultural talent. It was noted that, two years ago, Marriott International Chairman/CEO J.W. Marriott, Jr. joined the board of trustees of the National Urban League. Specifics of the new strategic relationship between Marriott and the National Urban League include: • Marriott’s participation in the National Urban League Convention Career Fair; • The National Urban League’s coordination of a joint Hospitality Career Day for high school students; • Marriott’s sponsorship of National Urban League activities during major hotel openings; • National Urban League identification of points of contacts and candidates for employment opportunities; • National Urban League promotion of Marriott as an employer-of-choice to its membership; • Marriott’s provision of internships to National Urban League clients; • Consideration of Marriott-branded hotels as the first hotel option for all National Urban League board, regional and key meetings; and • National Urban League identification and recommendation of potential minority vendors to Marriott for consideration for realistic opportunities in Marriott’s Supplier Diversity Program.
