photo by steed media service

As the director of minority community affairs at Macy’s East, Brenda Scott knows the importance of building relationships. One of her responsibilities in running the company’s vendor development program includes promoting the inclusion of minority and women-owned businesses in communities where Macy’s operates.

In addition to helping out business owners and essentially, the community, Scott says maintaining these relationships can come in handy down the road. For instance, at a recent reception celebrating the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame exhibit, Macy’s relationship with several key figures in the African American community is credited with making the event so memorable. “We had [the former New York City Mayor] David Dinkins on our panel. We had [civil rights activist and Trumpet Awards founder] Xernona Clayton here. It was easy for us to get those people here tonight because of our relationships in the community. I know each and every one of the panelists and how committed they are to the Civil Rights Movement,” Scott explains. “It was a no-brainer asking them to be here. We just picked up the phone and called them.”

Having history-makers such as National Urban League President Marc Morial and Hazel Dukes, president of the New York State Conference of the NAACP at their fingertips helps Macy’s keep their commitment to the African American community, a fact that fills Scott with pride. “Events like this one are history making events. I am so proud of my company for doing this and showing our community how important we as a people are to them,” she says with a smile. -ivory m. jones

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