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The Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL) was awarded the Lansing Region Chamber of Commerce’s in partnership with Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) 2025 Diversity Star Award for our tremendous and continual diversity, equity and inclusion efforts for employees and customers. 

The Diversity Star Award “honors companies and organizations within the Lansing region that demonstrate a solid commitment to advancing equity and creating inclusive environments, champion efforts for diversity and equitable practices in the workplace and beyond, support underserved and underrepresented employees and communities and contribute to a more just and equitable region.” 

The BWL is committed to ensuring an inclusive workplace where everyone experiences a sense of belonging, respect and are empowered to be their authentic selves. Diversity, equity and inclusion is more than just a program – it's part of the culture at BWL. It drives our vision to “deliver exceptional utility and customer service” and to “foster regional growth by retaining a diverse, skilled workforce.” It’s also the foundation of BWL’s core value of Respect, which means “we celebrate everyone’s differences, perspectives and traditions,” and is embodied in our tagline ‘Hometown People, Hometown Power.’  

Right from the start, every new hire participates in foundational learning during onboarding to equip them with the skills necessary to contribute to a diverse workforce, and all new people managers learn how to lead with inclusion in mind. We’re creating an equitable and inclusive work environment by maintaining a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion department that works alongside our cross-functional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee; offering employees flexible work arrangements; providing paid parental leave for new parents; supporting home ownership loans for employees purchasing a home in the City of Lansing; creating an employee engagement program to promote volunteerism and corporate participation; creating growth opportunities for employees through apprenticeships, trainings and corporate memberships, plus so much more.   

Today our communities are and becoming even more diverse, so it’s inevitable that our workforce and customer base reflect that and continue to engage with our customers. BWL employees serve on boards of several nonprofit organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Boys and Girls Club, Junior Achievement of Mid-Michigan, Peckham, Lansing Community College Foundation, Delta Waverly Rotary Foundation, the Old News Boy, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan, Habitat for Humanity Capital Region, ATHENA WIN and more. BWL also organizes multiple community events every year to give back including our annual Adopt A River, Golf 4 Charity, Hometown Power 5K and the United Way Giving Campaign, all which raise thousands of dollars for the Lansing community.  

At BWL, it’s important to meet our customers where they are. That’s why we offer multiple ways to pay your bill and resources to get help when you need it. BWL offers flexible payment arrangements for senior, military families and low-income households, partners with St. Vincent’s to support Pennies for Power to prevent shut-offs during financial challenges, community resource fairs twice a year to connect residents struggling to pay their bills with resources and assistance, and  free Home Energy Visits that provide energy-saving kits and assessments.  

“It’s an honor to be recognized for the work that’s core to our culture and how we care for our employees and customers every day. While we don’t do this for awards, it’s important to celebrate these efforts to inspire continued progress, highlight best practices and remind us that diversity and inclusion strengthen our organizations and communities,” says BWL General Manager Dick Peffley.  

We’re proud to have been recognized for the Diversity Star Award, which embodies our tagline “Hometown People, Hometown Power” and commit to continuing to do the work that’s still left to do.