Deadline Extended! ABLE Seeks New Logo to Represent Special Emphasis Program
Calling all associates: Are you in it to win it? ABLE (Able, Believe, Lead, Empower) has announced an open contest for a new logo to represent the special emphasis program. The group is looking for an inclusive, meaningful symbol showing the power and strength of those with a disability.
To submit an entry, participants must submit a high-resolution .jpeg, .png, or .PDF file of an original logo to DiversityInclusion@aafes.com. Associates must enter “Logo Contest – ABLE – Name of Associate” in the subject line of the email when submitting. Only original entries will be considered. Entries are due by Aug. 30.
Judges would like designers to consider incorporating colors from the Disability Pride flag. The flag features stripes of colors in red, gold, white, blue and green. Colors are muted to be safer for those with migraines and visually triggered seizures.
The colored stripes are placed diagonally across the flag to represent how disabled people have to cut across barriers in society.
Each color has its own meaning:
- Red: for physical disabilities
- Gold: for neurodiversity
- White: for invisible and undiagnosed disabilities
- Blue: for emotional and psychiatric disabilities, including mental illness, anxiety and depression
- Green: for sensory disabilities, including blindness, deafness, lack of smell, taste, audio processing and other sensory disabilities
- Black: for mourning victims of ableist violence, neglect or abuse
The logo will be unveiled Oct. 1, the first day of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
The winner of the chosen logo will be presented with COO and CAO challenge coins and a Thanks Award of $250. The winner will be announced Oct. 1.
“Our mission in this contest to ensure the new logo shows disabled associates that they are seen and recognized,” said Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, Fredrick Hannah, the executive champion of ABLE. “Disabled associates bring invaluable experience, unique perspectives and foresight to the Exchange.”
The contest reflects a wider effort to update and modernize logos across special emphasis program groups at the Exchange. Throughout the fiscal year, other special emphasis program groups–Nation’s Network, HEROES, BRIDGE and POWER–will conduct competitions of their own in search of a new logo to represent each group.
APEX (AAFES Asian Pacific Exchanges) and PRIDE (People Respecting Individuality, Diversity, and Equality) held their contests in May and June. Visual merchandisers, Hill BX’s Corran Stockstill and Joint Base Andrews BX’s Earl Carpenter III, were announced as the winners.
Associates interested in joining a special emphasis program or want to know more about the Equal Employment Opportunity, Diversity and Inclusion Office, click here to visit the SharePoint portal.
