Denny's Promotes Diversity Leader April Kelly-Drummond

By: Denny's | 100 Shares 1,066 Reads

March 31, 2008 // Franchising.com // SPARTANBURG, SC – As a continuation of its commitment to diversity, Denny's, Inc., has promoted April Kelly-Drummond to Director of Diversity Affairs. In her role, Kelly-Drummond serves as the key liaison with major civil rights organizations and builds relationships with local, regional and national minority organizations. Additionally, she oversees Denny's national sponsorship of various community service initiatives.

"We are fortunate to have April in this vital position within our organization as we seek innovative ways to leverage the diversity that surrounds Denny's and the retail food industry," said Louis Laguardia, Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Diversity for Denny's.

Kelly-Drummond previously served as a Senior Manager in Denny's Diversity Affairs Department. She joined the company in 1994 and has held leadership roles in community relations, public affairs and diversity. She has played an integral part of Denny's successful initiatives benefiting the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), National Civil Rights Museum, The King Center, National Urban League, Hispanic College Fund and The Salvation Army. Endeavors such as these, along with proactive efforts to attract a diverse and qualified workforce, franchisees and vendors, have earned Denny's recognition as a corporate leader in diversity by civil rights groups, community organizations and major media including 60 Minutes and BLACK ENTERPRISE, ESSENCE and FORTUNE magazines.

In January 2008, April led the launch of a new initiative in partnership with The Tom Joyner Foundation called The Denny's Single Parent Student Scholarship. The scholarship program is aimed at helping single parent students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities meet the challenges of raising a family while earning a post-secondary education.

Kelly-Drummond is a lifetime member of the NAACP, where she serves on the corporate board of the NAACP Florida State Conference Office. She also takes pride in her accomplishments outside of Denny's as a devoted wife and mother and active member of her local church.

About Denny's

Denny's is America's largest full-service family restaurant chain, with more than 1,500 locations. For more than 50 years, Denny's has been serving up real breakfast 24/7. Home of the famous Grand Slam® breakfast Denny's provides a variety of flavorful food and beverage choices. For more information on Denny's, please visit www.dennys.com.

###