2021 Owens Corning Sustainability Report | Expanding Our Social Handprint | Inclusion & Diversity | 220 A ffinity Groups Owens Corning encourages our employees to play an active role in creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. In addition to providing training throughout the year, we support a wide range of affinity groups. These employee resource groups are designed to promote the exploration of diversity issues and help employees embrace their differences. In addition to group members, each affinity group consists of an executive sponsor, a leader, and a co-leader. Over the course of the year, affinity groups organize a variety of events that raise awareness, inspire discussion, and lead to stronger connections among our people. By focusing on creating diverse and inclusive teams and building a sense of community through our affinity groups, we are strengthening our commitments to people internally and externally while fostering a more inclusive and emotionally intelligent culture. This year, our affinity groups helped compile a playbook that can be used at our plants to help employees there get involved in inclusion and diversity initiatives. The playbook offers easy-to-follow tips that can help plant leaders incorporate I&D strategies in ways that work in the plant environment and address their needs and their schedules. In addition, our Inclusion and Diversity Council began using a third-party system to track the membership and demographics of the affinity groups, as well as participation in events throughout the year. This year’s Affinity One , our annual expo highlighting each of our affinity groups, was held as a virtual event for the first time. Each group shared a video featuring representatives who briefly talked about who they are and the group’s impact. The event, which had the theme Building a Culture of Appreciation, was attended by 520 employees — the largest virtual meeting we’ve seen since implementing our new videoconferencing platform. In 2021, Owens Corning sponsored the following affinity groups: Abilities Goal: To provide a community within Owens Corning that will foster the inclusion and growth of employees with physical and mental health disabilities, as well as employees who are directly or indirectly impacted by disabilities, including seen and unseen health and ability challenges. Our newest affinity group, launched in 2021, Abilities seeks to destigmatize disabilities and promote abilities within the Owens Corning community. They also provide mentorship and growth opportunities to our employees and support recruitment efforts to attract and retain employees with ability challenges. In November, they held a virtual town hall meeting. Representatives from the group shared their mission and purpose, as well as powerful stories of people’s personal and professional experiences. African American Resource Group (AARG) Goal: To advance excellence through attracting, acclimating, retaining, and accelerating career growth, thus enhancing Owens Corning’s business performance while leveraging the strength of a diverse workforce. Throughout Black History Month in February, the AARG spotlighted Black-owned businesses located near Owens Corning sites. Employees supporting these businesses earned reward points in our healthy living platform. In May, the AARG led an event to commemorate the death of George Floyd. Participants were asked to reflect for nine minutes and 29 seconds. The group hosted a special event in June featuring Kevin Powell, an author, poet, and civil and human rights advocate. Over 300 people took part in this virtual event, which stressed the importance of listening to others and taking action in pursuit of social justice — and doing so with empathy, compassion, and love. Also in June, the AARG chapter at our site in Granville, Ohio, U.S., hosted a no-sew tie blanket event to benefit Nationwide Children’s Hospital of Columbus as part of celebrations for the Juneteenth holiday. “Abilities provides opportunities for every employee to act in a way that reflects our values — at work, with our families, and in our communities. This group opens the door for new learning that will lead to all of us investing deeply in the growth and success of others.” – Alan Lake, environmental risk management leader “Over the last year, the issue of social justice has moved to the forefront. AARG has been a driving force to build awareness, bring people together, and make our company more inclusive. We’ve hosted external speakers, panels, Courageous Conversations, and personal development sessions to help people learn and grow.” – Clyde Calhoun, insulation product leader