NORCROSS, Ga. -

Automotive F&I products provider and administrator APCO Holdings announced initiatives to improve diversity and equity within the company, including the formation of a diversity and inclusion council that has launched new inclusion and unconscious bias training courses required for all employees.

APCO said the company plans to continue building a stronger culture of inclusion.

“As the nation engages in discussions about diversity and inclusion, APCO is committed to using our resources and collective experiences to create substantial change now and in the future,” APCO vice president, human relations Crystal Meinert said in a news release.

The company said it recognizes the need build an inclusive environment and partnered with Pope Consulting, a firm that focuses on diversity, equity, inclusion, and culture change.

The diversity and inclusion council spearheaded the initiatives, involving 30 employees representing all business lines.

“The conversations we’ve had as part of our Diversity and Inclusion Council meetings have been instrumental in providing employees a view into the challenges their peers face both inside and outside of the workplace,” Meinert said. “The actions that APCO is taking are directly influenced by these open and transparent discussions.”

The Diversity and Inclusion Council also led efforts to deploy funds earmarked for contributions to community partners that the company says champions social equity initiatives. Employees nominated the groups in consideration, and a Diversity Community Outreach Committee formed to manage the process reviewed them. The five organizations selected to receive funding last year were:

— 21st Century Leaders, which focuses on inspiring high school students to use diversity, explore career opportunities, and become leaders in their schools, communities, and ultimately the workforce.

— The Black Scranton Project in Scranton, Pa., which works to cultivate awareness and unity through the arts, sharing public history, and elevating Black and POC-owned local businesses.

— Black Students of California United in Fresno, Ca., which works to help California's Black youth to become engaged participants civically and economically.

— Gwinnett County Community Based Mentoring Program, which seeks to involve students in academic and enrichment activities to help them become successful in and out of school.

— ACLU Georgia, which works to preserve and protect the liberties guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.

“As an essential part of our ongoing effort to ensure diversity in all that we do, we are excited to support and partner with organizations that serve the neighborhoods where we live and work,” Meinert said. But she said more work and education is necessary.

She also said the company would continue to pursue methods of turning opportunity into action and continue efforts to encourage a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

She said, “We are determined to engage our employees in having a more positive impact on both our company and the larger communities in which we do business.”