# Disposition Services HQ finds new ways to celebrate diversity and inclusion

/ Published July 24, 2023
BATTLE CREEK, Mich., 
In the halls of DLA Disposition Services, a transformation was underway. The annual event, formerly known as All American Day, was about to change into something more inclusive and enriching. The catalyst behind this shift was none other than the Equal Employment Opportunity Director Arnita Furgason, whose passion for diversity and inclusivity prompted her to create Culture Connections Month.

                Members of the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services team in Jacksonville, Florida take part in a potluck celebrating diversity among the workforce.                            Team Jacksonville Celebrates Diversity                            Members of the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services team in Jacksonville, Florida take part in a potluck celebrating diversity among the workforce.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Courtesy PhotoVIRIN: 230721-D-D0441-2002Furgason expressed her vision for the change, saying, "While All American Day was a wonderful celebration, we realized that it didn't fully represent the richness of our diverse workforce. We have team members from various cultural backgrounds and heritages, and we wanted an event that would celebrate everyone, highlighting the unity found within our differences."

Heritage Day was established, as an event dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the unique backgrounds and traditions of each team member. To bring her vision to life, Furgason collaborated with the Culture Champion Dana Thornbury, who proposed the idea of a video feature and hosting a cultural potluck.

"We have such a diverse workforce that extends beyond DNA. We didn’t have anything to celebrate the little things that make us who we are, this helped bridge the gaps,” Thornbury said.

The video serves as a key component of Culture Connections Month, featuring employees from different locations and encouraging connecting with one another. In the video DLA Disposition Services Director Mike Cannon addressed the global workforce, praising the value of diversity and encouraging open conversations and understanding among colleagues.

01:45VIDEO  | 01:45 |DLA Disposition Services Cultural Connection

"Our diverse workforce is our greatest asset,” Cannon said. “Embracing inclusivity is essential for our collective success. Through Culture Connections Month, we can build bridges of understanding that will strengthen the fabric of our organization."

As part of the month’s celebrations, the Heritage Day Potluck became a central feature, where employees brought in dishes that represented their cultural backgrounds. From traditional family recipes passed down through generations to cherished dishes that held sentimental value, the potluck became a feast of flavors and stories.

                Members of the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services Operations team take part in a potluck celebrating diversity within the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center.                            Operations Heritage Day Potluck                            Members of the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services Operations team take part in a potluck celebrating diversity within the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Arnita Furgason VIRIN: 230721-D-D0441-2003 “I enjoyed today’s Diversity Month Potluck,” said DLA Disposition Services Deputy Director Army Col. Andre Toussaint. “Usually there is an event that focuses on a particular minority race that we celebrate. Today’s Diversity Month Potluck celebrated Humanity – something to which we all belong.”

Participating in the festivities was Erin Clore of Disposition Services contracting, who was able to reach out to her 96-year-old grandmother to get the recipe for a German potato salad dish that has been in their family for hundreds of years. Clore said she was grateful for the opportunity to honor her grandmother by sharing their family’s recipe with her co-workers.

The invitation for the Heritage Day Potluck Celebration was extended throughout the agency where members were encouraged to get together and share their cultural delights within their directorates and regions.

Cannon expressed his anticipation for the event, stating, "The Heritage Day Potluck will not only deepen our understanding of each other but also create a warm and inclusive atmosphere within our team."

Reports from events across the agency indicated that many considered it the best potluck theme and food yet and that the aroma of diverse cuisines filled the air as team members shared stories of their heritages and traditions. Laughter and camaraderie brought everyone closer together, fostering a stronger sense of unity within the organization.

Culture Connections Month and the Heritage Day Potluck are here to stay as an annual tradition and will be opened for further participation at the Battle Creek Headquarters location as it has served as a way to support a culture of acceptance and appreciation for the diversity that make DLA Disposition Services exceptional.

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                Erin Clore, alongside an image of her grandmother, participates in the Diversity Day Potluck put on by the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services to celebrate Cultural Connections Month.                            Erin Clore at HDIFC heritage potluck                            Erin Clore, alongside an image of her grandmother, participates in the Diversity Day Potluck put on by the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services to celebrate Cultural Connections Month.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Jeff LandenbergerVIRIN: 230719-D-YU183-2001                Army Colonel Andre Toussaint shows off his dish at the Diversity Day Potluck put on by the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services to celebrate Cultural Connections Month.                            Army Colonel Andre Toussaint at HDIFC heritage potluck                            Army Colonel Andre Toussaint shows off his dish at the Diversity Day Potluck put on by the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services to celebrate Cultural Connections Month.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Jeff LandenbergerVIRIN: 230719-D-YU183-2003                Krista Nawrocki shows off her Irish dairy cake while participating in the Diversity Day Potluck put on by the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services to celebrate Cultural Connections Month.                            Krista Nawrocki at HDIFC heritage potluck                            Krista Nawrocki shows off her Irish dairy cake while participating in the Diversity Day Potluck put on by the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services to celebrate Cultural Connections Month.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Jeff LandenbergerVIRIN: 230719-D-YU183-2002

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