Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Influencers
The DE&I Influencers list honors individuals who are advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within their organizations and across the workforce solutions ecosystem at large.
Eddie Bright Jr.
Honoree profile
Believing diversity, equity and inclusion are invaluable assets, Eddie Bright Jr. is on a mission to cultivate an environment where every individual feels valued, respected and empowered.
As global CEO and owner of ApTask Global Workforce Solutions, Bright is driven by the understanding that diversity isn’t just the right thing to do but is also beneficial for business.
“When we discuss DE&I with our clients, we don’t talk about how nice it is; we emphasize its impact on profitability,” he explains. “Truly inclusive companies are 21-42% more profitable, and that’s a fact.”
Bright’s journey with ApTask, a certified African American- and veteran-owned staffing and professional development firm, has been marked by continuous growth. Joining as chief sales officer in 2014, he ascended to the role of CEO in 2017, leading the company until 2019. After serving as president and global CEO of HCM Staffing and Consulting Group, Bright returned to ApTask as majority owner and global CEO in 2023.
“It was a homecoming moment for me,” Bright reflects.
Within each of us lies … a unique talent or skill that sets us apart. … All we have to do is identify, foster and nurture that talent to achieve greatness.
Under Bright’s leadership, ApTask launched the Veteran Hub Program, a resource center aiding active duty personnel and retired veterans’ transition to civilian life. Another notable achievement: establishing a partnership with West Side High School, developing 12 high school students and equipping them with workforce-ready skills. Bright also hired an executive to promote workplace accessibility and belonging, focusing on hiring practices for those with a seen and unseen disability.
The outcomes speak volumes. Ten of the 12 high school students have graduated and joined ApTask as full-time recruiters, forming their own internal recruiting company, GenZ Recruiting, a division of Aptask Global, and are developing a recruiting app tailored for recruiting Gen Z talent.
Looking ahead, Bright aims to continue to enhance diversity by understanding the “why” behind each individual’s presence and potential success.
“Within each of us lies a zone of genius, a unique talent or skill that sets us apart. Something we’ve acquired, learned or gained through experience,” he says. “All we have to do is identify, foster and nurture that talent to achieve greatness.”