The American Trucking Associations has opened applications for its newest award, which recognizes ATA members who make a commitment to a culture of acceptance and belonging for their employees.

Nominations for the ATA Diversity Equity and Inclusion Change Leader Award are due by Sept. 10. Award recipients will be honored this October at ATA’s annual Management Conference & Exhibition in San Diego, California.

“ATA is leading the charge to make the trucking industry more diverse, and part of that is recognizing carriers and companies that are doing their part to create welcoming, equitable workplaces for their employees,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear in a press release. “It is one thing to talk about improving diversity, but the Change Leader Award identifies industry leaders that are walking the walk every day.”

Spear added: “We hope the creation of this award encourages continued improvement in the industry’s longstanding commitment to equal opportunity from behind the wheel to the boardroom.”

“An award that recognizes those in our industry who are working hard to increase diversity shows that we, collectively as an industry, are serious about these considerations. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are more than a passing issue – they are existential components of competition,” said USA Truck President, CEO and Director James Reed, chairman of the ATA Diversity and Inclusion Working Group.

If you are thinking of applying for this award, consider also sharing your efforts with HDT Managing Editor Vesna Brajkovic (vbrajkovic@truckinginfo.com) for possible inclusion in HDT's new series "The Road to Diversity."