April 04, 2011
Posted by:
Andrew Jackson
The mission of the Commission on Economic Inclusion is to ensure that economic inclusion is integrated into all aspects of the business community's economic development agenda. Our members are advancing self-directed goals to build inclusive organizations with a focus on increasing board, senior staff, workforce, and supplier diversity. Success in these areas is measured by an increase in jobs, wealth, and titles, for individual minorities and minority-owned businesses, with their full participation in the building of a new regional economic development system.
As the Commission embarks on its 10-year anniversary, it is important to make a clear distinction between inclusion and economic inclusion. Our goal is economic inclusion, not just inclusion. True economic inclusion allows individuals and organizations who are traditionally underrepresented to be included in a meaningful and impactful way. Inclusion without economics is nonsense; inclusion must be coupled with economics. Examples of success are:
- Minority executives serving on nonprofit boards, then, based on leadership experience, moving into paid positions on the boards of for-profit companies;
- Minority professionals building on training and successful work assignments to move into increasingly senior management positions in organizations, with key decision-making roles and commensurate compensation;
- Employers and contractors increasing their purchase of goods and services from minority-owned businesses leading to their sustained growth and profitability.
True economic inclusion requires legitimate opportunities for minorities to participate in this economy. We need an environment that supports minorities and minority-owned businesses in building capability and capacity. This needs to be coupled with receptive customers, business partners, and employers who create an environment in which minorities can fully plan, control, and execute with profitability, growth, and sustainability as the end result.
The current construction boom, along with the improving economic climate, gives our region the true opportunity to get this right. The real question is: Are we going to "seize" the opportunity?
Category:
Economic Inclusion
Tags:
economic inclusion; minority business; Commission on Economic Inclusion