Pursuit of Excellence

In partnership with the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency, Seagram’s Pursuit of Excellence Institute helps young men gain confidence and experience as well as become prepared and competitive. Since 2008, the Institute has provided opportunities for personal and professional development of young men in Atlanta.

Recently featured in JET Magazine, the special Atlanta initiative
offers a four-week- program which pairs participants with successful and inspirational leaders. The mentors provide one-on-one support and guidance. In addition to computer training, interview technique workshops, self-esteem exercises, technical training classes, and dress-for-success and financial empowerment strategies, each participant receives a $500 stipend, business attire and a briefcase.

"The Seagram's Pursuit of Excellence program is designed to provide deserving individuals with the tools they need to get on their feet – and to prepare and succeed in an increasingly competitive job market," says Bill Cherrie, vice president, multicultural marketing for Pernod Ricard USA, parent company of Seagram's Gin. "Seagram's is committed to giving back to the communities in which we do business and to reinforcing our leadership position by setting the stage for others in the corporate sector to follow as we continue to address the critical issue of unemployment through action and positive change, one individual at a time."

As the nation reflects on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the contributions of African Americans during Black History Month, an economic crisis continues to impact communities across the country with unemployment continuing to escalate. Despite gains in income among African Americans – a new report based on U.S. Census Bureau data shows that Black households making $75,000 annually has increased by 47 percent in the last five years – unemployment among African Americans continues to climb with African American men among the most adversely affected. To address rising unemployment among African American men, which is at a record 34.5%, Seagram's has announced plans to continue its successful and unprecedented job training and mentoring program, the Pursuit of Excellence Institute in four of the hardest hit cities in the nation: Atlanta, Chicago, Tampa and Columbia, South Carolina.