Disney’s Leonard Spencer: A Positive Impact
In our work toward informing you about your upcoming Disney vacation or the next blockbuster from Walt Disney Studios, sometimes some of the special people who make Disney — well, DISNEY — simply don’t get enough attention.
Case in point: Leonard Spencer, Walt Disney Senior Manager of Supplier Diversity.
About to start the day with over 3,000 MBEs at the #NMSDC National Conference. #DisneySupplierDiversity #Disney pic.twitter.com/Y8p5pQ5YB6
— Leonard Spencer (@leonardkspencer) October 15, 2019
When Everyone Participates, Everyone Wins
Mr. Spencer recently wrote a piece about his job for DisneyParksBlog.com and “the passion that drives the work we do each and every day.”
Leonard Spencer: When Everyone Participates, Everyone Wins https://t.co/gdYdgaxGP2 via @DisneyParks
— Leonard Spencer (@leonardkspencer) February 8, 2020
Spencer, who posted as part of The Walt Disney Company’s celebration of Black History Month (and who was celebrated at the Inaugural Onyx Magazine Black Men Honors Program in 2019) explained, “When everyone participates, everyone wins.”
“As part of The Walt Disney Company’s Supplier Diversity team, I work with my amazing colleagues to identify and include diverse suppliers,” he wrote. “This means providing opportunities to business owners from varying backgrounds including people of color, women, veterans, service-disabled veterans, LGBTQ+ and disabled business owners.”
Examples Throughout The Disney Parks
His group’s work can be seen almost everywhere in the parks; from the beverages that guests enjoy at Walt Disney World to the amazing experiences at Galaxy’s Edge in Anaheim.
“One of our bottling suppliers responsible for getting guest-favorite beverages into our parks is one of the largest African American-owned businesses in the State of Florida,” wrote Spencer. “Have you been to Batuu to experience the groundbreaking technology at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland? Well, a woman-owned firm that has provided engineering services to the park… helped bring the experience to life.
“These are just two of the many examples of diverse suppliers that my team and I work to contract with The Walt Disney Company.”
A Positive Domino Effect
And, as he lives “the Disney dream” Leonard is excited to see the “domino effect that positively impacts everyone.
We’ve opened our sourcing process to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to participate – because when everyone participates, everyone wins. I’m thankful that my team and The Walt Disney Company are doing our part to leave a lasting and positive mark on the business community and diverse entrepreneurs around the country.
Leonard Spencer, The Walt Disney Company
An Opportunity to Contribute
Before you go to read all of Mr. Spencer’s excellent article, be sure to check out the video below.
Inclusion is ensuring that everyone who sits around that table has an opportunity to contribute…
Cover and top photo: @leonardkspencer on Twitter.