Barnes & Noble Education Announces Strategic Partnership with Billie Jean King Enterprises

Rhea-AI Summary

Barnes & Noble Education (NYSE: BNED) has partnered with Billie Jean King Enterprises to boost its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This strategic collaboration aims to create a comprehensive plan for enhancing talent development, employee engagement, and DEI programming across the company. The partnership will also introduce new initiatives to promote respect, tolerance, and diversity within BNED's corporate culture. Additionally, the companies plan to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX through specialized programming.

Positive

• Strategic partnership with Billie Jean King Enterprises aimed at enhancing DEI initiatives.
• Development of comprehensive plans for talent attraction and employee training.
• Commitment to create a workforce reflective of the communities served.
• Plans to celebrate 50-year anniversary of Title IX through programming.

Negative

• None.

 Partnership to Enhance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives Across BNED

BASKING RIDGE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (NYSE: BNED), a leading solutions provider for the education industry, today announced a strategic partnership with Billie Jean King Enterprises (BJKE), a women-owned and women-led advisory and consulting firm founded by sports icon and social justice champion Billie Jean King. BNED’s alliance with BJKE will enhance its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and programming.

Few commitments today are more important for organizations than DEI. Through this partnership, BNED and BJKE will develop a comprehensive strategic plan designed to support and enhance BNED’s DEI initiatives across all aspects of its business. These initiatives will include attracting and developing talent, training, employee engagement and communications, and DEI-focused programming, signaling a commitment to its employees that their unique perspectives, backgrounds and ideas are embraced in the Company culture and that BNED is committed to developing a workforce that reflects the communities it serves. The partnership also demonstrates BNED’s commitment to ensuring its values and business practices are aligned with those of its partner institutions, business alliances, students and customers. In addition, BNED and BJKE are currently working to develop programming to commemorate and celebrate the 50-year anniversary of Title IX.

“We are excited to announce this partnership with Billie Jean King Enterprises, and are committed to making this an important and very special collaboration. Our alliance with BJKE will advance BNED’s DEI initiatives and programming for the benefit of the employees, partner schools, students and faculty we serve,” said Michael P. Huseby, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of BNED. “We look forward to closely collaborating with the BJKE team as we develop programs to support BNED’s ongoing DEI efforts, and to launch new initiatives that will emphasize respect, tolerance and equity and embrace diversity within our culture and daily business practices.”

“Our team focuses on work and partnerships to further realize Billie Jean’s vision to advance equity and inclusion. Education is the foundation to creating long-term and sustainable change, and we are excited to work closely with the Barnes and Noble Education team to enhance their ongoing DEI initiatives and programming,” said Ilana Kloss, CEO of Billie Jean King Enterprises.

ABOUT BILLIE JEAN KING ENTERPRISES

Billie Jean King Enterprises is a women-owned and women-led investment, consulting and marketing firm that puts Billie Jean King’s philosophy and brand value to work, capitalizing on her long-standing advocacy for equality. BJK Enterprises offers a data-driven, people-centered and long-term approach to effectively promote sustainable change within companies through culture and organizational assessments, talent and new market access development, leadership and development training, business development and stakeholder mapping. For more information, visit https://www.billiejeanking.com/bjk-enterprises/.

ABOUT BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC.

Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (NYSE: BNED) is a leading solutions provider for the education industry, driving affordability, access and achievement at hundreds of academic institutions nationwide and ensuring millions of students are equipped for success in the classroom and beyond. Through its family of brands, BNED offers campus retail services and academic solutions, a digital direct-to-student learning ecosystem, unparalleled best-in-class assortment of school apparel through a strategic alliance with Fanatics and Lids, wholesale capabilities and more. BNED is a company serving all who work to elevate their lives through education, supporting students, faculty and institutions as they make tomorrow a better, more inclusive and smarter world. For more information, visit www.bned.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220208005367/en/

Media:

Carolyn J. Brown

Senior Vice President

Corporate Communications and Public Affairs

Barnes & Noble Education, Inc.

(908) 991-2967

cbrown@bned.com

Source: Barnes & Noble Education, Inc.

FAQ

What is the purpose of the partnership between BNED and Billie Jean King Enterprises?

The partnership aims to enhance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives at BNED.

When was the partnership between BNED and Billie Jean King Enterprises announced?

The partnership was announced on February 8, 2022.

What will BNED focus on with its new DEI initiatives?

BNED will focus on talent attraction, employee training, and engagement through its DEI initiatives.

How will the partnership with BJKE impact BNED employees?

The partnership aims to create a more inclusive company culture and embrace diverse perspectives among employees.

What anniversary is BNED planning to celebrate with BJKE?

BNED is planning to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of Title IX.