How CBL Approaches Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

Advancing Inclusion Company-wide 

CBL Properties sought insight from both inside and outside its organization in developing its comprehensive Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging strategic plan. In addition to developing a three-year strategic plan and road map, CBL’s sought to advance inclusion by offering development opportunities for employees to learn how to be consciously inclusive, by developing strategic partnerships to diversify the talent pipeline, by partnering with organizations seeking to make an impact through inclusion and by enhancing representation of historically underrepresented groups in its marketing efforts, supply chain and tenant mix. 

CBL hired Hinton & Co. to aid in the development of the organization’s strategic plan. Hinton & Co. started by interviewing and surveying employees, and now, CBL is building out a curriculum based on feedback from team members. CBL has held three community fireside chats, an inclusive communication workshop for the executive leadership team and other departments and an inclusion-in-action workshop for the executive leadership team. 

ALSO CHECK OUT: Commerce + Communities Today’s Q&A with CBL CEO Stephen Lebovitz and Hinton & Co. founder Wade Hinton 

CBL has signed the CEO Action Pledge for Diversity & Inclusion and a pledge for Open to All, an organization committed to eliminating racial bias in the retail industry. Both organizations provide learning opportunities, resources and best practices from other organizations seeking to enhance inclusion. Thanks to advice from these partners, CBL expanded DEIB-related disclosures on its corporate website, resulting in a marked improvement in its ISS rating.  

And CBL’s strategy doesn’t focus entirely on the company itself. In 2022, CBL hosted a Black Owned Business Expos, and the landlord plans to expand the program in 2023, hosting more Black Owned Business Expos, as well as woman-owned, veteran-owned and young entrepreneur business expos.  

Looking forward, CBL plans to continue to measure the impact of its DEIB efforts internally through annual surveys. CBL also will continue to track the representation of historically underrepresented groups that lease space in its properties and to formalize its CSR program to ensure that community partnerships are reviewed with DEIB goals in mind. 

About CBL: Headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, CBL Properties owns and manages a national portfolio of market-dominant properties located in dynamic and growing communities. CBL’s owned and managed portfolio is comprised of 94 properties totaling 58.5 million square feet across 22 states, including 56 high-quality enclosed malls, outlet centers and lifestyle retail centers as well as more than 30 open-air centers and other assets.