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R.J. Reynolds Industries Salutes Dr. Mahlon Puryer of NUL

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[[caption]]George Hill (right), president of the Winston-Salem Urban League, presents the organization's Equal Opportunity Award to Colin Stokes (left), chairman of R. J. Reynolds Industries, Inc., in recognition of the corporation's outstanding minority employment, education and community action programs. Looking on is Dr. Mahlon Puryear of New York City, deputy executive field director of the National Urban League and keynote speaker at the Winston-Salem League's annual Equal Opportunity Day Dinner.[[/caption]]

"One of the prices of leadership in one field is that you are expected to provide leadership in other areas," says Colin Stokes, chairman of R. J. Reynolds Industries, Inc.

"Because Reynolds is widely known for its cigarettes - like Winston, Salem and More - and for its foods and beverage brands - like Hawaiian Punch and Chun King - we know that the eyes of the public are always on us," Stokes continues. "We know that the people expect leadership from Reynolds in social areas, especially minority relations, and we realize a heavy responsibility to provide that leadership."

As a result, Reynolds Industries has paid careful attention to building minority programs in areas that count the most - including jobs, purchases from minority businesses, educational support and community projects.

"We put in a lot of hard work on our minority programs at Reynolds, and we feel that we are fulfilling our obligation," says Stokes, "but the real test is how the people think.

"That's why one of the greatest thrills of my 43 years in business came last May when I was able to accept the Winston Salem Urban League's Equal Opportunity Award on behalf of the company.

"To me, the award meant that the people of the community - the very ones we're trying to reach in our various action programs - were saying, 'We appreciate what you at Reynolds have done for minorities all these years, and we want you to keep it up.'

"I know that you can't have a good national minority program unless you can base it on a sound minority program at home," Stokes said. "The Urban League honor told us that we're on the right track, and that we should continue our strong minority relations efforts both in Winston-Salem and across the nation."

In presenting the award, George Hill of the Winston-Salem Urban League told the 1,000 people gathered that R. J. Reynolds was being given the honor for the company's "continuing commitment to the higher education of Black Americans, significant efforts toward the enrichment of the nation's Black youth, and distinguished service to the needs of the United Negro College Fund."

He noted that 21 percent of RJR's total work force is comprised of minorities, while the national average is 16.2 percent. Blacks are employed in all job categories within RJR's businesses, which include tobacco, containerized shipping, energy, foods and beverages, and packaging.

Hill mentioned a long list of RJR contributions to minority education, including some $1 million to Winston-Salem State University and annual major support of the United Negro College Fund, the National Scholastic Achievement Program for Black Students, and the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management.

R. J. Reynolds is a national leader in its work in corporate minority purchasing programs, Hill said, and he pointed out that the firm annually buys scores of goods and services from minority suppliers from coast to coast.

He said that R. J. Reynolds is also a leader in community programs for minorities, and is an up-front participant in activities conducted by the National Urban League, NAACP and Congressional Black Caucus.

RJR's More cigarettes is a regular sponsor in the Ebony Fashion Fair, which tours nationally to give thousands a look at the latest styles and at the same time generates millions of dollars for charity, Hill noted.

Stokes responded to Hill's comments by remarking that R. J. Reynolds not only backs the Urban League's programs, but has been greatly helped by them. He said the League's job outreach program has given the company some of its best employees.

Stokes said that Reynolds Industries is active in the Urban League because the firm agrees with the League's philosophy that "the well-being of all people can only be achieved when all people have the equal opportunity to live a complete life and develop their own potentials and contributions to society."

Transcription Notes:
"Puryear" is typoed as "Puryer" in the title