2021 Diversity in Business Awards – Health Care (Courtesy of the Orlando Business Journal) — Jacksonville native Tony Jenkins has been the driving force behind — and the face of — one of the Central Florida business community’s biggest efforts to eliminate racism, discrimination and inequality.
The Central Florida market president of Jacksonville-based health insurance giant Florida Blue helped lead the formulation of the Orlando Economic Partnership’s “Take the Pledge” initiative, which seeks to advance racial and social justice, cultivate economic equality and remove barriers to growth opportunities while having participants commit to promoting inclusive discourse.
The initiative was announced in January of this year, beginning with roughly 70 local CEOs and high-level executives promising to educate themselves, create listening sessions, improve employment and career advancement opportunities for marginalized communities, and conduct annual check-ins on reaching those goals. The effort since has gathered the support of more than 130 companies, organizations and agencies in Central Florida — including Florida Blue.
The diversity pledge is the result of a task force created by the public/private partnership’s board — and chaired by Jenkins — to address hurdles to diversity, equity and inclusion, known as DEI or DE&I. Jenkins from its start worked with the partnership to ensure that it was not just another effort for companies to check the box, so to speak. Rather, a prosperity scorecard will track several economic indicators that signify equality.
“By publishing a prosperity scorecard, we are able to understand disparities and underscore the reality of our challenges and opportunities,” said Jenkins, who also has served as a spokesman for the effort.
Those who sign the pledge are given access to the partnership’s portfolio of programs and collaborative engagements, such as BRACE (Business Recovery Assistance and Collaborative Engagement), a bilingual program that offers resources and tools to small businesses that need help in surviving impact of Covid-19; Skills-based Hiring; Tech Connect, a program for startups; Women’s Initiative; and Site Evaluation & Marketing Program. To continue to move the needle in these areas, the partnership has also hired a DEI expert to help establish accountability and provide businesses with a toolkit to help them improve.
“It has taken committed individuals and leaders to step up with more than just company statements, but with an incredible desire to seek real change,” Jenkins said. “It has been rewarding and encouraging to see so many joined at our company and in the Central Florida community unify for what is right and for what has been long overdue.”
Jenkins’ work to create a more inclusive and equitable community also is visible within Florida Blue. As the lead executive responsible for a nine-county area, he facilitated many honest conversations and listening with intent at all levels within the organization. “We have encouraged and advocated for sharing our various lived experiences from employees of color that ultimately help shape the type of work that is needed to combat racism,” he said.
In the past year, Florida Blue launched its Equity Alliance initiative focused on addressing systemic racism and resulting health disparities for Black Americans. The alliance is led by a task force of internal stakeholders and outside advisors, and works in conjunction with Florida Blue’s ASPIRE employee affinity group for people of color. Florida Blue also announced $25 million in investments during the next five years for organizations focused on diversity and inclusion, and health equity.
Jenkins also is charged with increasing and retaining Florida Blue membership, enhancing brand visibility and nurturing a company culture dedicated to elevating the employee experience and increasing employee engagement. He provides strategic guidance to Florida Blue’s affiliated companies in Central Florida — including GuideWell Innovation, GuideWell Emergency Doctors, Florida Health Care Plans, GuideWell Medical Center and Sanitas Medical Centers.
Plus, he led Florida Blue’s effort to adjust health care solutions to meet the demanding needs as a result of the pandemic through shifting to a variety of telehealth offerings, while serving as a trusted advocate and resource for Covid-19 education and awareness.
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