The Hershey Company proudly supports the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) - an organization dedicated to equal rights and a society free from racial hatred and discrimination. As part of this, we support the NAACP's Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO Program). ACT-SO is a yearlong enrichment program designed to foster high academic and cultural achievement among African American high school students. Founded in 1978 by renowned author and journalist Vernon Jarrett, the program has involved more that 261,000 young people and awarded over $354,000 in national competition prizes to date. Many ACT-SO alumni have obtained success in the corporate world and the entertainment industry, including musician Kanye West, actress Jada Pinkett-Smith, filmmaker John Singleton and comedian Anthony Anderson.

The Hershey Company is sponsoring the Hispanic Heritage Foundation's Inspira Award, which recognizes accomplished, inspiring role models for youth in the Hispanic community.

We're also funding scholarships to deserving young Latino students, recognized as Latino's On the Fast Track (LOFT). The program provides Hershey an opportunity to mentor, offer student internships and help prepare the emerging Latino leaders of the future.

Our company also partners with Second Chance Employment Services to find employment for women who are victims of domestic violence.

In addition, we actively support dozens of organizations dedicated to building diversity and inclusion, and ensuring a better life for all.

The Hershey Company has a Supplier Diversity program to build relationships with suppliers of diverse ownership. Hershey seeks opportunities for qualified minority, women, veteran, disadvantaged and disabled-owned companies to compete on an equal basis with other suppliers and contractors as primary or second tier suppliers. Hershey invites these companies to register as a potential supplier of goods and services. More information can be found on our Supplier Diversity page.