McConnell & Jones LLP (MJ) received the mid-sized company Diversity in Business award from the Houston Business Journal at the Inaugural Diversity in Business Awards ceremony held last Thursday at the Hilton Americas Hotel located in Houston, Texas.
The Houston Business Journal created this ceremony to honor small, medium, and large Houston businesses for their outstanding diversity within their organization or company and their contributions to continue to make Houston the most diverse city in the country. Additionally, the event honored Houston’s influential supplier diversity leaders for their significant contributions for supporting diversity initiatives and programs throughout their organizations and in the community.
“It is an honor to receive this award from the Houston Business Journal,” said MJ Managing Partner, Wayne McConnell. “Diversity is a powerful driver of innovation, which is an essential part of business success. My partners and I have found that when people of different backgrounds and cultures work together, there are more viewpoints to choose from which improves the chance of finding the best possible solutions for the firm and our clients.”
MJ fosters a culture of inclusiveness and respect in the workplace and employs associates that represent countries from all over the world. The firm strives to serve as a role model for business in a diverse environment, and embodies the idea that businesses can benefit from the shifting demographics within the community by looking for ways to incorporate diversity into their daily routines.
“We have made a concerted effort to develop a workforce which mirrors the diversity seen in Houston, and as a result, our associates naturally engage in community networking activities that embrace cultural differences,” said Partner, Thomas Jones. “I am thrilled to have our efforts acknowledged by our peers and the team at the Houston Business Journal.”
As a testament to the firm’s commitment, MJ also dedicates a large amount of their volunteer efforts to working with young adults in the community with the goal of increasing diversity within the public accounting profession and the business community at large. Many of the firm’s professionals serve as mentors for college students majoring in accounting and finance and also volunteer to help prepare local at-risk high school students for the workforce. MJ encourages team members to interact with local youth and plant the seeds of inclusion for their respective industries at an early stage.