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Giving blood can save lives, and 10 Best Buy stores in Texas recently came together to host a blood drive to help people in their communities. It all started when Myrna Bullock, general manager of Store 1035 in Mansfield, started hearing about a critical blood shortage. “I learned that around the Memorial Day holiday the need for blood generally increases,” she said. She talked with other Texas GMs on a weekly call about what they could do to help. They decided to have a blood drive to support Carter BloodCare, a nonprofit that serves more than 200 medical facilities in the state. “Having a blood drive makes the awareness go up that Best Buy cares about the community,” Myrna said.
Best Buy listed as a 2022 Best Employer for New Grads Forbes magazine has recognized Best Buy as one of America’s Best Employers for New Graduates for 2022. It’s the fourth year in a row we’ve made the list, which identifies companies young professionals would most highly recommend to family and friends. Employers are ranked based on criteria such as their workplace experience, career opportunities and the values and purpose of the company. Starting a new job after completing college is a big deal, and Kyle Tekautz is one of many recent grads kicking off their professional lives at Best Buy. A member of the Class of 2022 from a university in Des Moines, Iowa, Kyle is heading into the workforce with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication — and whole lot of experience with change. Read the full story.
On Graham Lewis’ first day as a part-time sales associate at Best Buy, his only thought was, “What have I gotten myself into?” “There was so much that I didn’t know,” he said. “I was so nervous and scared to talk to people at first.” Graham’s start at Store 1258 in Davie, Florida, might have been overwhelming. But five years later and several roles into his career with Best Buy, Graham has grown in his confidence with fixing tech, working with customers and, ultimately, being himself. Throughout Graham’s employment, he’s also undergone a significant personal journey – coming out as a transgender man. “Joining Best Buy was a huge confidence booster for me,” Graham said. “If you told me back then I would’ve been able to do something of the things I’ve done, I’d be shocked.” Graham joined Best Buy “scared of his own shadow,” but quickly gained the support from his team that allowed him to become surer of himself. His manager discovered Graham’s passion for electronics and video games and put him in a position where he could talk about products he loved. Read the full story.
We are excited to share that Best Buy was awarded a silver Halo Award by Engage for Good, an organization focused on helping companies pursuing socially responsible agendas. The Halo Awards are North America’s highest honor for corporate social impact initiatives that successfully engage consumers and/or employees. We were recognized in the category of Best JEDI Initiative (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) for our partnership with PopSockets, which launched during Black History Month last year. The partnership matched four teens from Best Buy Teen Tech Center® programs with mentors from PopSockets. Teen Tech Centers are safe, after-school spaces where teens can explore their passions with access to cutting-edge technology, including tools for film, digital media, audio engineering and music production. Alongside their mentors, the teens created PopGrips, small, round attachments that connect to the backs of phones and tablets to help users hold and prop up their devices. Read the full story.
Best Buy Teen Tech Center® teens featured in national ad campaign • Starting this month, a new nationwide Best Buy ad campaign will feature teens and the mentors that are helping them pursue their dreams. “Mentor Moments” highlights three pairs of teens that participate in Best Buy Teen Tech Center® programs around the U.S and their relationships with their Best Buy Teen Tech Center coordinators. In the short films, New York City-based New York City-based director and documentary filmmaker Rodney Lucas and story producer Bridget Botchway Bradley focus on the power and lasting impact of mentorship. The campaign, which was done in partnership with Best Buy Creative, will run on national TV, as well as Best Buy social media channels. Teen Tech Centers provide safe, after-school spaces where teens can get hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology. Adult mentors give youth the support to create, innovate and explore their interests. Each center provides teens with opportunities to dive into their passion areas such as robotics, photography, music production and more.
Texas supervisor takes pride in her Pakistani culture • Best Buy is proud to honor Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and celebrate our AAPI employees and communities. Manahil Rajput is a Pakistani American Muslim woman who is known as a vibrant and energetic supervisor at Best Buy Store 1413 in Cypress, Texas. From an early age, she was taught that cultural and religious identity were things to be cherished and celebrated. As a college student and full-time retail supervisor, Manahil says she is proud to be part of a company focused on creating an inclusive workplace. “I am comfortably and successfully able to be a productive member of my store, while easily adhering to religious guidelines,” she said. Read the full story.
Best Buy is proud to be included on the 2022 Forbes list of Best Employers for Diversity as one of the top four retailers on the list. It’s our third consecutive year making the rankings that recognize leadership and commitment toward building a more inclusive workplace. We were named to this list based on results from a survey of 60,000 people who ranked their employers on topics such as age, gender and LGBTQIA+ equality. Companies were also evaluated on diversity among top executives and board members. A main priority for Best Buy is continuing to build an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong. We aim to reflect the population of the communities we serve to deliver exceptional experiences for our customers and our employees. Read the full story.
Through each music video produced, robot built, and photograph captured at Best Buy Teen Tech Center® locations, teens are getting one step closer to making their dreams come true. And now, customers can be a part of it. This week, we’re launching an opportunity for customers to make an impact. Best Buy customers can make a donation to the Best Buy Foundation in support of Teen Tech Centers starting May 1 when they make a purchase in stores, online at BestBuy.com or via the Best Buy App. Best Buy Teen Tech Center® programs provide safe, after-school spaces where teens can get hands-on experience with the latest technology. Adult mentors and volunteers provide the support to create, innovate and explore. Teens can explore their passions with access to cutting-edge technology including tools for film, digital media, audio engineering and music production. Read the full story.
Married Best Buy employees beat unbelievable odds with kidney match. Shane and Leah Moss are a perfect match in more ways than one. The married couple works at Best Buy’s distribution center in Ardmore, Oklahoma. After Shane was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2018, he was in dire need of a transplant. Last December, he found a donor. “The second they told him he needed a kidney, I thought, ‘Well I have two, you can just have one of mine,’” Leah said. But the testing process to see if she was a match was complicated and long — and the chances of success were slim. “In total, I did like 27 different tests,” Leah said. “The odds of a match between husband and wife were like 1-in-75,000.” Yet, there was always that one chance. After six months of prayers, Shane and Leah received the results: They were a match. “I think we just sat there and cried and held each other. We were just so overwhelmed,” Leah said. “It was the best day.” If there’s such a thing as “meant to be,” Shane and Leah are it. Whether at home or work, they spend most of every day together. Read the full story.
Virginia manager leads team with empathy, vulnerability. Those who have worked with general manager Tai Ngo describe him one of two ways. First, he knows how to go out and get results. Second, Tai’s colleagues bring up his passion for his team and his ability to make employees feel heard. Throughout his years at Best Buy, Tai’s stores have been recognized as top performers multiple times, and his leaders praise his employee-retention numbers. “His way delivering company-leading outcomes through employees has always been organic and really successful,” said Duc Dang, senior market director and Tai’s longtime mentor. While results are important, they don’t hold Tai back from leading his team with vulnerability. He shares his background and experiences to connect with others and show them that there’s more than one career path. “A lot of younger employees think I just inherited this job,” Tai said. “But I tell them, ‘I started hourly like you. I don’t have a college degree, but with Best Buy, there’s always an opportunity.’” Read the full story.
