JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 29, 2025--
Southeastern Grocers, LLC (SEG), parent company of Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie, together with the SEG Gives Foundation, proudly announces this year’s recipients of its sixth annual Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251029397276/en/
Named in honor of trailblazing World War II veteran and cherished Winn-Dixie associate Romay Davis – lovingly known as “Ms. Romay” – the grant program supports nonprofits working to address racial disparities in education, food insecurity and health care. Ms. Romay lived to be a remarkable 104 years old, leaving behind an incredible legacy of social justice and community advocacy. The 2025 grant recipients exemplify her lifelong commitment to empowerment and service by building stronger, more equitable communities.
Today, in celebration of Ms. Romay’s birthday, SEG is awarding 40 nonprofits across the Southeast with grant funds totaling $400,000. Selected from a diverse, competitive pool of applicants, this year’s recipients include:
Jennifer Short, Chief People Officer for Southeastern Grocers, said, “We are proud to reaffirm our commitment to empowering the diverse communities we serve by supporting 40 incredible organizations that are making a real difference in enriching the lives of our neighbors. These impactful nonprofits reflect the values Ms. Romay lived by – courage, compassion and an enduring belief in the power of people to create positive change. Ms. Romay was a veteran, scholar and visionary whose distinguished life continues to inspire us to create a brighter future for all. It is a privilege to honor such an extraordinary woman on her birthday as we carry forward her exceptional legacy in partnership with this year’s deserving recipients.”
The Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant reflects SEG’s steadfast commitment to fostering a culture of belonging among its associates, customers and communities. The grocer takes pride in providing essential funding to nonprofits that strive to empower authenticity and eliminate long-standing barriers.
Since the grant’s inception in 2020, SEG and the SEG Gives Foundation have awarded nearly $2 million to community organizations taking meaningful action to help level the playing field for individuals of all backgrounds by bridging the gap of inequities experienced by underrepresented populations.
Recently, SEG announced its next chapter as The Winn-Dixie Company with a renewed focus on its home state of Florida and neighboring southern Georgia. As the grocer sharpens its presence within this new footprint, it remains deeply grateful for the communities it has proudly served across the Southeast for decades. SEG continues to champion meaningful initiatives and exceptional organizations throughout the region during this period of transition – honoring its legacy of service, partnership and shared progress that extends far beyond its store walls.
More about the Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant namesake
Ms. Romay Davis was a force of courage, grace and purpose whose influential 104 years continue to inspire generations. A member of the U.S. Army’s groundbreaking 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion – the only all-Black Women’s Army Corps unit deployed overseas during World War II – she helped reconnect thousands of soldiers with mail from their loved ones, lifting spirits when it mattered most. After the war, she broke barriers as a New York fashion designer and model, earned multiple degrees from NYU, achieved a Taekwondo black belt and was honored with the Congressional Gold Medal. At 80 years old, she continued her journey as a Winn-Dixie associate in Montgomery, Alabama, where she shared her warmth and wisdom with everyone she met. Ms. Romay’s extraordinary achievements and unwavering dedication to service left an indelible mark on countless lives, inspiring generations to shine brighter.
About Southeastern Grocers
Southeastern Grocers, LLC (SEG), parent company and home of Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is an omnichannel retailer serving customers in brick-and-mortar grocery stores and liquor stores, as well as online with convenient grocery delivery. Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie are well-known and well-respected regional brands with deep heritages, strong neighborhood ties, proud histories of giving back, talented and caring associates and a strong commitment to providing the best possible quality and value to customers. For more information, visit segrocers.com.
About SEG Gives Foundation
SEG Gives Foundation is the charitable arm of Southeastern Grocers, LLC (SEG), parent company of Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie stores. The SEG Gives Foundation aligns giving with causes that are priorities to the communities SEG serves, including the fight against hunger, support for military service members and their families, relief to those affected by extreme weather and natural disasters and championing belonging, inclusion and diversity by combating social injustice to bridge the gap of inequities faced by many individuals, families and communities. Southeastern Grocers strives to be ingrained in its communities and, through the SEG Gives Foundation, better the lives of its customers and neighbors.
The 40 recipients of the 2025 Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant exemplify Ms. Romay’s lifelong commitment to empowerment and service by building stronger, more equitable communities. One recipient, the Jacksonville Humane Society, not only finds loving homes for thousands of pets each year but also provides veterinary education and youth programs that expand access to learning and career opportunities for community members of all backgrounds.
Through its Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant, Southeastern Grocers is proudly awarding a total of $400,000 to 40 deserving nonprofit recipients, including the Jack & Jill Center, located in Fort Lauderdale, who works to strengthen children and families through innovative education, supportive programming and community engagement.
