Civil rights organization applauds company’s diverse and inclusive workforce.

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Branch of the NAACP will present Sam Covelli with its highest corporate recognition at the organization’s annual Human Rights Dinner Thursday at the Westin Convention Center.

Covelli, the owner and operator of Panera Bread restaurants, was selected for the NAACP’s Corporate Partner of the Year award because of the work that Covelli Enterprises has done creating a diverse and inclusive workforce at its 275 restaurants in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Florida, said Constance Parker, president of the Pittsburgh NAACP.

“We applaud Covelli Enterprises for creating such a diverse and inclusive workforce and believe that other companies can learn by following Covelli’s example,” Parker said.

The Corporate Partner award was created to honor business leaders and companies who support and encourage the mission of the NAACP in their daily work.

Sam Covelli said he is humbled and honored by the award. “This award means so much to me because the Pittsburgh NAACP really knows us and our work.,” Covelli said. “We are a company that believes in serving its communities and in investing in its associates and in creating a diverse and inclusive workforce and it is so gratifying to know that the NAACP recognizes this.”

The 62nd Annual Human Rights dinner is presented by EQT Corporation and the corporate committee is co-chaired by Gregory Peaslee, executive vice president of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Dr. Quintin Bullock, president of Community College of Allegheny County.