Social equity category: A company, organization or nonprofit whose leaders and policies demonstrate active commitment to fairness, justice and equality. Recipients are judged on their industriousness (what they do to carve out a niche in their market), innovation (what makes them an industry leader), employee and customer relations (how they help customers positively or an example of how they help boost employee retention, etc.), achievements/accomplishments (awards received, opening more locations, receiving superlatives or recommendations from leaders), overcoming adversity or competition (how they distinguish themselves), and community involvement.
