Archives for

Roseville, Calif. – PRIDE Industries, the nation’s leading employer of people with disabilities, just won a Silver Stevie® Award at the 22nd Annual American Business Awards®. The social enterprise won in the Cause & Green – Inclusive Event category for its I AM ABLE Disability Job Fair.

“While growth in much of the world economy has recovered slowly from the COVID-19 pandemic, the American economy continues to show remarkable resilience and growth,” said Stevie Awards president Maggie Miller. “Our 2024 Stevie winners have contributed to that successful recovery through their innovation, persistence, and hard work. We congratulate all our winners in the 2024 ABAs.”

The American Business Awards are the U.S.A.’s premier business awards program. All organizations operating in the U.S.A. are eligible to submit nominations — public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small. 

PRIDE Industries’ I AM ABLE Job Fair was created by people with disabilities for people with disabilities. The event was designed and vetted by an “Accessibility Team” whose members are deaf, blind, autistic, or use wheelchairs. Accessibility for all was a top priority, and in order to accommodate the diverse needs of participants, the event included on-site American Sign Language (ASL) translators, Braille signage, Spanish interpreters, a quiet interview space, light rail transportation, and service animal water and relief areas.

During the job fair, PRIDE Industries offered resume critiques and interview assistance to job candidates. Prior to the job fair, online training on how to maximize the job fair experience was provided to registrants. Training was also given to employers, so that they could more effectively engage with candidates with disabilities.

More than 20 companies participated in the job fair and more than 600 jobseekers with disabilities attended. The event exceeded organizers’ expectations, and plans are already in the works for this year’s I AM ABLE Disability Job Fair on October 9, 2024 at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento.

“We’re honored to receive this Silver Stevie Award in the Inclusive Event category,” said Jeff Dern, CEO and President of PRIDE Industries. “We hope that more businesses will pursue opportunities to include people with disabilities in the workforce—not just because it is the right thing to do for our communities, but also because it is the smart thing to do for business.”

More than 3,700 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories. And more than 300 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year’s Stevie Award winners.

Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2024 Stevie winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/ABA.