WASHINGTON, DC – The Arc is excited to announce Sephora as a recipient of its 2021 Catalyst Award. The award recognizes businesses, individuals, and other organizations that have made extraordinary contributions toward greater social inclusion and the advancement of the human and civil rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
“It is refreshing to see a beauty brand embrace what is truly beautiful – that people with disabilities belong. In its hiring, ongoing storytelling, and employee engagement, Sephora is genuinely committed to recognizing and advancing how people with disabilities contribute to the workforce and in society. We are proud to honor Sephora as a catalyst of change,” said Peter Berns, Chief Executive Officer of The Arc.
Sephora has demonstrated a deep commitment to creating an accessible and inclusive work environment for all, and one of the ways they do that is through their People with Disabilities program. Sephora proactively recruits for its distribution centers by partnering with communities, local advocacy groups, and educational institutions in hiring. They provide career training and support to set new employees with disabilities up for success. Sephora’s goal is to ensure at least 30% of the employee population across its distribution centers are people with disabilities and are on track to reach 12% by the end of 2021.
“At Sephora, providing equal employment opportunities, accessible and inclusive workplaces for people with disabilities is at the core of our values, and one of the key areas of focus in our Diversity & Inclusion Heart Journey,” said George-Axelle Broussillon Matschinga, Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion at Sephora. “As a leader in disability rights, it’s an honor to partner with The Arc to bring our commitments to life, highlighting inclusion in all our efforts, and advocating for individuals with disabilities. We are so honored to be a recipient of the 2021 Catalyst Award and to be recognized for the work we are doing to cultivate accessible environments where our employees can feel like they belong.”
Sephora’s robust charity work with all kinds of social justice organizations, including The Arc, impacts society beyond the workforce. As a Charity Rewards Partner this October, The Arc will have the opportunity to reach all of Sephora’s diverse clients, with the option to donate their points into dollars and learn more about our cause. This kind of support buoyed us in 2020, a year of unprecedented challenges, and will do so again this year as we continue to face the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are proud to support Sephora’s commitment to meaningful employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and we are thrilled to be working alongside them to raise awareness of the inner and outer beauty of people with disabilities, in a society that should embrace authenticity and acceptance,” said Berns.
The Arc’s Catalyst Awards began in 2015 to recognize individuals and organizations that are changing how society perceives and treats people with disabilities. Each honoree has done something remarkable that helps fulfill The Arc’s mission to promote and protect the human rights of people with IDD.
The Arc advocates for and serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including Down syndrome, autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy and other diagnoses. The Arc has a network of 600 chapters across the country promoting and protecting the human rights of people with I/DD and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes and without regard to diagnosis.
Editor’s Note: The Arc is not an acronym; always refer to us as The Arc, not The ARC and never ARC. The Arc should be considered as a title or a phrase.
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