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Five Oneonta businesses are being recognized for their dedication to diversity and inclusion with a newly established award, given jointly by ������̳ and Hartwick College.

The first-ever recipients of the Oneonta Inclusive Business Award are Wise Guys Sammy's, Social Eats Café, Oneonta Boys and Girls Club, Boba Yaga, and King's Kakery Pastry Shop. The winners were announced and recognized during a ceremony in their honor on May 9 at ������̳’s Center for Racial Justice and Inclusive Excellence (CRJIE).

Speakers included Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek, ������̳ President Alberto Cardelle, Hartwick College President Darren Reisberg, Otsego County Chamber of Commerce President Sean Lewis, Destination Marketing Corporation for Otsego County Director Cass Harrington, Hartwick College Vice President for Human Resources, Inclusion and Compliance Suzanne Janitz, and ������̳ Vice President for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer Bernadette Tiapo.

All agreed that a diverse, welcoming Oneonta helps to recruit and retain Oneonta residents and students. Presidents Cardelle and Reisberg said the city’s dedication to diversity and connection to the colleges attracted them to their roles. Mayor Drnek thanked the institutions for championing business owners’ efforts and empowering them. He encouraged all in attendance to “shop in their stores, eat at their restaurants and patronize their businesses.”

“Fostering a Sense of Belonging”

Created this semester, the Oneonta Inclusive Business Award acknowledges local businesses or organizations that have shown exemplary commitment to fostering inclusivity in line with the missions of ������̳ and Hartwick College

“The role of businesses and organizations in fostering a sense of belonging within a community cannot be over emphasized,” Tiapo said. “To build a thriving and more vibrant community, it is important that our students and employees, as well as residents and visitors to Oneonta feel welcome and supported by the local businesses and organizations. This year’s inaugural award recipients have demonstrated such values, and we are grateful for their role and impact in fostering inclusivity in the Oneonta community."

Students, faculty and staff from both institutions were invited to vote for their top choices from a pool of 18 nominated businesses. Nominations were solicited through a short survey sent to both campus communities. In order to be nominated, businesses had to provide “exceptional service to diverse populations, treat customers with utmost respect and civility, and go above and beyond in meeting the needs of its diverse customer.”

“This award means a lot to me,” said Allison King, owner of King's Kakery. “It means restored faith for me and renewed energy and inspiration. It means the community is seeing all the hard work, seeing what we’re doing, seeing the vision we have – and appreciating it.”

Plans for the Future

The Inclusive Business Award is the result of collaborative efforts by ������̳’s Office of Equity and Inclusion, the President’s Council on Diversity’s Community Outreach and Engagement and Campus Climate subcommittees, and Hartwick College’s Offices of Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging and Human Resources, Inclusion and Compliance, in an effort to continue to foster partnerships with the Oneonta community.

A new call for nominations will go out to both campuses each spring, and the campuses and community will take turns hosting the award ceremony.

“We’re very excited that this recognition will become an annual tradition,” Janitz said. “We want people from all walks of life, including our students, staff and faculty, to feel comfortable and welcomed in Oneonta. And since businesses and organizations play such a key role in creating an inclusive community, it’s important that we recognize those efforts. In working together, we can create the kind of community that all of us can be proud to call home.”