LEAP Launches Diversity Lansing Initiative
Initiative Kicks Off with Education Series, and presents first annual Regional Diversity Star Award to Accident Fund Holdings, Inc.
LANSING, Mich. – Diversity Lansing, a LEAP0-led initiative, is officially underway with the launch of the 2015-2016 Diversity Education Series, which took place on Wednesday, November 18, 2015, at The Lansing Board of Water and Light’s REO Town Depot.
LEAP’s Diversity Lansing initiative strives to assist businesses in attracting and retaining world-class talent, the ‘Best of the Best’ and to improve the overall quality of life for all the residents of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties. Through LEAP’s Diversity Lansing efforts, businesses will grow, communities will thrive, talent will locate here, and tomorrow’s world leaders will come from the Lansing region.
“Through LEAP’s Diversity Lansing initiative, we will continue to strengthen the region’s economy, help businesses attract and retain world-class talent and create opportunities for all the residents of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties,” said Bob Trezise, President & CEO at LEAP. “The reality is that Lansing is a global region that continues to compete with larger communities across the world. It is vital that we attract, retain, and welcome a talented and diverse workforce to continue to be competitive.”
LEAP’s Diversity initiative consists of the following programs: An Education Series, and Executive Leadership four-part program, the Diversity Lansing website which houses a resource toolbox for businesses to improve their in-house diversity initiatives, and an annual diversity award given to a top, local company.
Two of these programs were kicked off yesterday with a group of 100 attendees from the community. The Diversity Lansing Education Series is the first of its kind in the region to cross business and community topics and provide an outlet to discuss diversity and inclusion openly. The sold out, kick off event, which was sponsored by Foster Swift, featured keynote speaker Fathy Shetiah of 7C Lingo, who presented on the importance of understanding values and cultural differences within the region and how diversity enhances the talent attraction and retention efforts of Lansing’s businesses.
Secondly, LEAP presented its first diversity award, the Regional Diversity Star Award, to Accident Fund Holdings, Inc. which was accepted by Darcy Kerr, Sr. Vice President of Human Resources. The award honors Accident Fund Holdings, Inc. as an innovative forerunner in the insurance industry in Lansing that continually seeks out the best and brightest talent, offers a fair and equitable salary, good benefits, a great physical and creative space to work with a well-rounded, diverse workforce.
Future dates of the Diversity Education Series will cover topics such as: Understanding and valuing cultural differences in Lansing, welcoming diversity into your community, the value of diversity for small businesses, attracting and retaining diverse talent, diversity represented through the arts, and closing the generational gap.
“The series is intended to start a conversation among community members and business leaders in both the public and private sectors about increasing awareness, from an economic development perspective, of the importance of diversity in the Lansing region,” said Tedi Parsons, LEAP’s Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator and co-chair of Diversity Lansing.
Click here for more information about the Diversity Education Series or to get involved with LEAP’s Diversity Initiative.
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About LEAP
The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) is a coalition of area leaders partnering to build a stronger community for all—working every day to grow, retain and attract business.
Category: Press Releases, Talent and Workforce, Placemaking