Information: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion: Ecosystem Change Examples

Learning from Recent Events: St. Louis Regional Chamber (MO) and the Response to Ferguson

June 16, 2020 / Audio
ACCE Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Division roundtable call features a discussion of actions taken in the St. Louis region following the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014. St. Louis Regional Chamber (MO) Senior Vice President of Inclusion and Talent Attraction Valerie Patton joined the call to discuss the work of the Ferguson Commission, a group of regional leaders that come together to solutions for equity in the region by addressing systemic racism.
#STL2039 Action Plan: Achieving an equitable St. Louis
Ferguson Commission follow up action plan that measures the success of the work and continues to push for policy change and establish the action strategies necessary to sustain the work (2018).
Forward Through Ferguson: A Path Toward Racial Equity
Ferguson Commission report that studies the underlying issues that led to unrest in the wake of Michael Brown’s death and provides 189 calls to action outlining policy changes to better the St. Louis region (2015).
For the Sake of All: A Report on the Health and Well-Being of African Americans in St. Louis—And Why It Matters for Everyone
Report from Washington University in St. Louis and Saint Louis University with recommendations for increased attention and investment in the areas of economic opportunity, early childhood, school health, quality neighborhoods, mental health, and chronic disease. (2014)

Tulsa Regional Chamber's Recognition of the Past and Shaping of the Future

Tulsa Regional Chamber’s first formal attempt to address disparity in their region began in 1995, with the formation of their Minority Business Council. In 2010, with support from board and organizational leadership, the chamber was able to change course and direct their work into a new effort, which would eventually be called Mosaic, that allowed the chamber to re-orient perspectives and truly adopt diversity and inclusion into their strategic plan. With this strong foundation, the chamber was able to directly acknowledge and apologize for the chamber's silence after the Tulsa race massacre and develop race and equity programming after the protests resulting from the murder of George Floyd.

Reshaping Tulsa’s Mosaic
Chamber Executive article by Hannah Nequist (Fall 2016)

Mosaic Organizational Best Practices by Tulsa Regional Chamber
City: Tulsa, OK
Publication Date: 2016
An outline of best practices for implementing DEI in the workplace.

Tulsa Regional Chamber Shares Race Massacre Document, Apologizes For Group’s Historic Inaction Against Racism
Oklahoma Eagle article by Fred Jones (May 28, 2019)
The Chamber Report: Tulsa Regional Chamber
The article titled "Reconciliation" begins on page 4 of the report. (May / June 2019, Volume 95 / Issue 3)

Implicit Bias: From Awareness to Action
As issues of race and equity continue to dominate headlines, business leaders must grapple with implicit bias. Learn from Tracy Spears and the Tulsa Regional Chamber's (OK) Kuma Roberts how to interrupt bias in the workplace and leverage your voice for mitigating its effects on society. (June 23, 2020)
Business Support Series Ep. 24 – Making Space for Tough Conversations
Today's Business Support Series episode shifts from COVID-19 to a conversation about race and equity. Hear from Hilti's Karl Neumaier and the Tulsa Regional Chamber's (OK) Kuma Roberts about how employers can have tough conversations with their employees about current affairs and sensitive subjects. (June 4, 2020)

Equity as an Economic Imperative / Audio
Audio for the #ACCE 19 presentation by Kuma Roberts, Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Tulsa Regional Chamber (OK)
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In 2011, the Tulsa Regional Chamber (OK) launched Mosaic, a business diversity council focused on presenting the business case for diversity and inclusion to its members. By 2018, however, Mosaic’s efforts had plateaued. Leaders realized the organization was only looking at diversity and inclusion, and equity was missing from the conversation. Get an understanding of how and why Mosaic transitioned to an equity-focused coalition of companies and nonprofits striving to cultivate a more diverse, inclusive and equitable membership, business environment and community as a whole.