Redefining “where you fit in.”
In order to keep someone else down,
you must stay down there with them.
—Booker T. Washington
you must stay down there with them.
—Booker T. Washington
First off, the term “gatekeepers” applies all in power, specifically those who have the influence to change but aren’t sure where to start or how to take things to the next level. Secondly, let’s clear up one popular myth:
Whether many like it or not, extra elbow grease, added perseverance, and greater commitment to education by minorities is only part of the solution. Corporate folks and America as a whole must be equally committed to equality or it simply won’t happen. And I’m not talking about tokenism, lip service or ad-hoc programs, but true, systemic diversity and opportunity that reflects America and the values we claim America represents and holds dear.
As most of us have noticed, the American consumer gets darker and more diverse each year. Hispanics, already our largest minority group are expected to spend some $1 trillion annually by 2008 with Blacks to be spending near $921 billion by the same time.1 Our Asian and Middle Eastern communities are growing almost exponentially in population and affluence as well. Soon, America will be full-blown autumn—red, brown, yellow, and earth-toned faces as far as the eye can see. And once that booming sub-segment of multiracial and multi-ethnic kids mature and have kids of their own, America will be one big pair of Khakis—beige. Now why should any of these consumers be diverse and open-minded in their purchases if businesses won’t do the same in hiring, marketing, community investment, etc.?
From now on, the businesses that survive and thrive will be those diverse enough to build with people. The rest will just fail. With all that said, I now offer 16 keys on creating real corporate diversity and equal opportunity for all once and for all:
As most of us have noticed, the American consumer gets darker and more diverse each year. Hispanics, already our largest minority group are expected to spend some $1 trillion annually by 2008 with Blacks to be spending near $921 billion by the same time.1 Our Asian and Middle Eastern communities are growing almost exponentially in population and affluence as well. Soon, America will be full-blown autumn—red, brown, yellow, and earth-toned faces as far as the eye can see. And once that booming sub-segment of multiracial and multi-ethnic kids mature and have kids of their own, America will be one big pair of Khakis—beige. Now why should any of these consumers be diverse and open-minded in their purchases if businesses won’t do the same in hiring, marketing, community investment, etc.?
From now on, the businesses that survive and thrive will be those diverse enough to build with people. The rest will just fail. With all that said, I now offer 16 keys on creating real corporate diversity and equal opportunity for all once and for all:
