Inclusion & Belonging

CBL has always valued an inclusive and welcoming environment for our team members and the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment, and we value the diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences that we gain from our team, retailers, and customers.

Our efforts in this area are guided by our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Executive Steering Committee, which is chaired by our CEO, with internal programming planned and executed by our DEIB engagement group, CBL Community.

Here are some of the ways we showed up in 2023 for our team and our communities:

Expanded our Black-Owned Business Expo to more properties and added other small business expos including a Women Owned Business Expo and a Veteran Owned Business Expo, with further expansion of the program planned for 2024.
Hosted several Fireside Chats, Fireside Forums, and other educational opportunities on a wide range of topics relevant to our team members including mental health, belonging in the workplace, and microaggressions.
Based on feedback from customers, we expanded our Santa for All experience to ensure customers in each market had the opportunity to visit a Santa that better reflected their racial identity.

In October 2023, CBL again earned Great Place to Work Certification^tm. An overwhelming 95% of the CBL team said CBL is a great place to work -- 38 points higher than the average U.S. company. Belonging is highly correlated to engagement, and CBL team members reflected a high degree of engagement and positive feedback on the overall employee experience with 87% of respondents indicating they feel a sense of belonging at CBL.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

The goal of CBL Community is to advance inclusion and belonging internally and externally, by:

Developing ongoing educational opportunities that foster open discussion and recognition of the unique perspective of our team to further cultivate a culture of belonging, mutual respect, and transparency.
Establishing partnerships, hosting community events and other outreach efforts to create an environment of belonging and respect at our properties, ensuring that all community members, customers, and retailers feel welcome.

2024 Goals

Host at least one intern from Step Up Chattanooga and Project Destined.
Facilitate at least four team-member led educational sessions on topics of relevance to the CBL team (i.e. women's history, disability awareness, etc.).
Further cultivate an inclusive environment, resulting in reduced voluntary turnover rates and continued Great Place to Work certification.
Execute at least four small business expos (i.e. Black-owned, women-owned, or young entrepreneur) across our portfolio.

At CBL, we remain committed to fostering a workplace culture that celebrates diversity, champions equity, promotes inclusion, and embraces a sense of belonging for every member of our team. We believe that by valuing and respecting the unique perspectives and backgrounds of our team members, we not only enrich our work environment but also drive innovation and success for our company. Through this, we are "One CBL".

Ben Staples, Senior Vice President - People & Culture
CBL Properties

Public Education Foundation Chattanooga

...is a non-profit organization that, for over thirty years, has provided training, research, and resources to teachers, principals, and schools in Hamilton County and surrounding areas.

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Project Destined

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Step Up Chattanooga

...provides young people with internships at local companies, nonprofits and public agencies, providing critical work-readiness training, on-the-job experience, professional connections and ongoing support for career and college success.

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Open to All

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CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion

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Transition Overwatch

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