IKEA Recognizes Black History Month

Furniture World Magazine

In recognition of Black History Month, IKEA College Park, Maryland sponsors:Attaining Your Dreams: A Career Development Breakfast for High School Students. 40 students from local high schools are invited to join IKEA co-workers for a Swedish/American breakfast in the IKEA restaurant. Students will be matched with local professionals: e.g. doctors, lawyers, politicians, entrepreneurs creating an opportunity for them to learn about different career options. Confirmed community mentors include Masie Dunbar, Owner M&M Nails and Wellness; Hughie Hunt, Attorney; and Glenn F. Ivey, Prince Georges County Maryland States Attorney. Monique Greenwood, chief executive officer of Akwaaba Enterprises, Inc. and former editor-in-chief of Essence Magazine will provide an interesting and inspirational speech on the topic of attaining one's dreams and career development. Monique Greenwood has become a well-known in the hospitality industry with the opening of her third inn-Akwaaba D.C. The elegant bed-and-breakfast in Washington's posh Dupont Circle historic district is sister to the award-winning Akwaaba Mansion in Brooklyn, New York, and to the historic Akwaaba by the Sea in Cape May, New Jersey, the country's oldest seaside resort. Author of Having What Matters, The Black Woman's Guide to Creating the Life You Really Want, Greenwood speaks nationally on personal success and entrepreneurship for leading corporations, universities, and professional civic groups. A native of Washington, DC she is "thrilled" to be coming to the IKEA Career Development Breakfast and to Prince Georges County. The breakfast is the first of several programs under IKEA College Park's diversity series for IKEA co-workers. Additionally it promotes IKEA College Park's commitment to social responsibility and specifically a goal to support education and literacy in the local community. "At IKEA, we are excited about inspiring young people," says Paget Ingham, Store Manager. "Work life balance, strong work ethic, diversity and social responsibility are all building blocks of the IKEA culture. We hope to share these concepts with the students during the breakfast." Since its founding in 1943, IKEA has offered a wide range of home furnishings and accessories of good design and function, at prices so low that the majority of the people can afford them. IKEA is recognized as a socially responsible company, and continuously supports initiatives that benefit causes such as children and the environment. Currently, IKEA has more than 185 stores in 31 countries, including 18 stores in the United States and 11 stores in Canada. To visit the IKEA Web site, please go to http://www.ikea-usa.com. IKEA College Park opened its doors on June 18, 2003.