The Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee on Friday highlighted the Forever 55 Legacy and Business Connect programs ahead of Sunday’s game.
Forever 55 is Super Bowl LV’s legacy project that includes a $2 million investment by the host committee and the NFL to address areas of need in the Tampa Bay community including health and wellness, early childhood education, food insecurity, families, sustainability and systemic justice. One of the projects includes a health and wellness focus in East Tampa. Various other Forever 55 projects were held throughout Super Bowl week.
The Business Connect program helps connect minority-, women-, veteran- and LGBT-owned local businesses with NFL contractors for opportunities around the Super Bowl. As part of the program, local companies will cater a health care worker exclusive tailgate for the 7,500 vaccinated workers who will attend the Super Bowl.
The Business Connect program also held its Road to Gameday Restaurant Week, which highlighted almost 40 diverse-owned businesses across Tampa Bay. Participating restaurants in turn donated $3,000 to Feeding Tampa Bay which will provide 30,000 meals to the community.
“Business Connect has had such a profound effect on our community and has really changed how our community and host committee will do business in the future,” said LaKendria Robinson director, of Business Connect and community outreach for the host committee.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also made an appearance at the event. Earlier on Friday, Goodell held his annual press conference ahead of the Super Bowl. During the event, Goodell hinted that Tampa Bay’s handling of the Super Bowl in a pandemic may bode well for the possibility of the city hosting another game soon.
“Everyone knows the unique circumstances that we face this season, and they also know how extraordinary Tampa has been working through that,” Goodell said Friday. “I think that will be a big consideration in [NFL owners’] minds when they do sit down and vote. We recognize it may not be the full extent of economic benefit, but in some ways this whole pandemic and the ability to work through this, is really going to be a reflection on this community’s can-do attitude and how they get things done.”
The NFL owners will vote soon on the host site of the Super Bowl in 2024. It is likely that it will go to Las Vegas as the team recently opened a new stadium; 2025 is set for New Orleans, meaning the next opportunity Tampa Bay can host would be in 2026.
For now, though, the host committee and all of Tampa Bay’s focus is on Super Bowl LV a few days away. On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will become the first team to play a Super Bowl in their home stadium when they take on the Kansas City Chiefs.
As employers, understanding and addressing mental health needs are crucial steps in the journey for equitable workplaces. To move from awareness to action and create lasting change, we must prioritize DEI and remember that those struggling with mental health conditions deserve fairness, justice, and equitable access to opportunities, like anyone else.
Champions of diversity recognize and activate the strengths of unique perspectives in their organizations. But how can we be leaders in global diversity? Read this deep dive into what workplace diversity means on a global scale, highlighting different cultural business practices worldwide and how embracing diversity leads to more successful connections.
With Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day taking place during March, there’s no better time to talk about an essential facet of DEI, equity,
What do the best-performing, longest-lasting brand presences have in common? Their inclusive social media strategies reflect the consumers they are trying to reach. Read these DEI tips to improve your brand’s presence.
How can an organization embrace change and survive in the future? Taking actionable steps to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all individuals could be key to companies’ long-term prosperity–and should be on every leader’s resolution list for 2023.
To build a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, leaders must incorporate DEI into aspects of employees’ daily routines! A diversity and inclusion calendar is one
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date with all of our DEI tips and tricks.
