Regions Bank has been named a 2021 A.G. Gaston Award recipient for support of programs that foster inclusive prosperity in communities the bank serves. The award was presented at the annual A.G. Gaston Conference, held virtually Feb. 23-24 in Birmingham, Ala., and streamed to participants free of charge.
The A.G. Gaston Conference is a two-day event for business owners, educators, community leaders, elected officials, and anyone passionate about African American economic empowerment. For the last 17 years, the conference has been empowering African Americans to excel in entrepreneurship and business ownership.
Each year, the A.G. Gaston Award recognizes individuals and corporations who use resources to meet the needs of the community and have distinguished themselves as champions working tirelessly to benefit others.
Leroy Abrahams, head of Community Affairs, accepted the award on behalf of Regions.
“For many years, Regions has supported the annual A.G. Gaston Conference because we firmly believe in the importance of elevating Black entrepreneurship,” said Abrahams. “Small businesses lift communities by meeting needs, providing jobs and creating wealth. This is important for every community but especially for communities that have not always shared in the economic prosperity of our country. That’s why we are committed to supporting programs like the A.G. Gaston Conference that are working to create more inclusive prosperity and better outcomes.”
Small businesses lift communities by meeting needs, providing jobs and creating wealth. This is important for every community but especially for communities that have not always shared in the economic prosperity of our country.
Leroy Abrahams, head of Community Affairs at Regions
Clara Green, Regions head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion welcomed attendees to this year’s event.
“At Regions we understand that, as a company, we are only as strong as the customers and communities we serve,” said Green. “We have expanded our focus on community development and economic inclusion through targeted investments in small businesses and nonprofit organizations and broadened the bank’s focus on diversity and inclusion.”
The conference was inspired by the life and legacy of Arthur George (A.G.) Gaston, a successful businessman in Alabama during the Jim Crow era. He amassed a fortune worth more than $40 million from a business empire spanning communications, real estate and insurance. Given the title “Entrepreneur of the Century” by Black Enterprise Magazine, the late A.G. Gaston was the mastermind behind the A.G. Gaston Motel, Citizen Federal Savings & Loan, Booker T. Washington Broadcasting and many more that are located in the heart of downtown Birmingham.