In honour of Nelson Mandela Day (18 July), we spotlight Coca-Cola’s powerful commitment to community empowerment and inclusive leadership values that echo Mandela’s lifelong pursuit of dignity, equity, and upliftment for all.
As one of the world’s most recognisable brands, Coca-Cola is often associated with iconic advertising and refreshing beverages, but behind the red label is a global company with a longstanding investment in people-first practices. From supporting underserved communities to nurturing grassroots changemakers, Coca-Cola’s social impact model is one rooted in partnership, empowerment, and purpose-led leadership.
Beyond the Bottle: A Business Built on Empowerment
Coca-Cola’s operations span more than 200 countries and territories. With such global reach comes a responsibility to leave a positive imprint, not only environmentally, but socially and economically. This is where Coca-Cola’s commitment to “refresh the world and make a difference” becomes more than a brand slogan; it becomes a mandate.
At the heart of this effort is the company’s focus on empowerment as a catalyst for wellbeing. This is not just about philanthropy; it’s a strategic, embedded approach that leverages Coca-Cola’s global infrastructure to invest in people at a local level. And the results are transforming lives.
Coca-Cola’s 5by20 Legacy: Women Leading Change
One of the company’s most celebrated empowerment initiatives is 5by20, an ambitious global programme launched in 2010 with the goal of enabling the economic empowerment of 5 million women entrepreneurs across Coca-Cola’s value chain by 2020.
From fruit farmers in Kenya to kiosk owners in Brazil, the programme reached its goal, and in fact surpassed it, helping more than 6 million women in 100+ countries access business training, financial services, and peer support networks.
Why women? Because studies have consistently shown that when women thrive, communities rise with them. Empowered women invest in their families, educate their children, and uplift entire communities, creating a ripple effect of wellbeing.
Even though the formal 5by20 programme concluded, its spirit lives on. Coca-Cola continues to embed gender equity and community entrepreneurship into its operations and partnerships, ensuring inclusive economic growth remains a priority.
Inclusive Leadership in Action: Coca-Cola’s DEI Strategy
Empowerment starts from within, and Coca-Cola’s leadership strategy reflects this. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is a core tenet of the business, not a tick-box exercise.
Coca-Cola’s Global DEI Strategy includes:
- Clear representation goals across gender and ethnicity
- Inclusive leadership training at every management level
- Transparent DEI reporting and accountability measures
- Employee-led Business Resource Groups (BRGs) to amplify underrepresented voices
In 2023, Coca-Cola reported that 43% of its global workforce were women, and in the U.S., over 50% of new hires identified as racially or ethnically diverse. Meanwhile, their Global Women’s Leadership Council helps accelerate the careers of women into senior roles across business units, showing the company’s internal culture of empowerment mirrors its external commitments.
As Mandela famously said: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” Coca-Cola’s data-backed, inclusive leadership approach proves that when you set the intention, progress follows.
Mandela Day in Practice: Coca-Cola’s Ongoing Community Impact
Mandela Day is a call to action: for each person to dedicate 67 minutes of their time to do something positive for others, symbolising the 67 years Mandela spent fighting for social justice.
Coca-Cola embraces this philosophy every day through grassroots partnerships and local action projects. Whether it’s investing in clean water access, recycling infrastructure, or youth employment schemes, Coca-Cola’s community investment model is decentralised, led by local bottling partners and teams who know their regions best.
One standout example is the Coca-Cola Foundation, which has provided over $1.5 billion in grants since 1984, supporting everything from climate resilience in rural India to food security in sub-Saharan Africa.
A few recent initiatives include:
- Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN): Improving water access for over 6 million people in 41 African countries.
- Youth Empowered Programme (South Africa): Equipping unemployed young people with skills in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and digital tools.
- Give Back Box (USA): Supporting circular economy goals and promoting inclusive recycling jobs.
These projects may differ by region, but they share a common DNA: a belief in the power of people to lead positive change, given the right tools and support.
Mental Wellbeing Through Meaning and Belonging
While Coca-Cola is rightly applauded for its physical health and economic empowerment efforts, its impact on mental wellbeing should not be overlooked.
Purpose-driven work and a sense of community belonging are proven protective factors for mental health, both in the workplace and beyond. Coca-Cola’s community engagement strategy cultivates these drivers at scale. Employees are encouraged to volunteer, lead impact projects, and participate in local initiatives, all of which foster connection, self-worth, and meaning.
Internally, Coca-Cola offers mental health benefits including:
- Access to counselling and EAP services
- Mental health training for managers
- Global “Employee Wellbeing Month” initiatives
- Partnerships with organisations like Mind Share Partners to address stigma
This multilayered approach supports the whole person, recognising that empowerment includes psychological safety, not just economic opportunity.
What Other Employers Can Learn
Coca-Cola’s strategy offers a valuable blueprint for other organisations looking to drive social impact and employee wellbeing, particularly as we honour Nelson Mandela’s legacy this July. Key takeaways include:
- Empowerment is wellbeing. Give people the resources and support to thrive economically, and mental and physical health follow.
- Think global, act local. Tailor initiatives to the specific needs of communities, led by people who know them best.
- Embed purpose in leadership. Inclusive leadership and transparent accountability are essential for real culture change.
- Drive participation. Give employees opportunities to contribute to their communities, and ensure they feel the impact.
As Coca-Cola continues to evolve its impact strategy, one thing remains constant: a belief that people-powered change is the most sustainable and scalable form of transformation. And in a world increasingly calling out for equity and empathy, that belief may be the most refreshing thing of all.
About Your People Power
Spotlight Features are brought to you by Your People Power, the workplace performance and wellbeing experts helping large organisations build high-performing, happy, and healthy cultures.
Founded by award-winning international speaker and corporate transformation expert Gina Buckney, we work with businesses across the globe to help their people and performance thrive.
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