Information: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion: Policy Engagement

Advocating for Racial Equity

Chambers contribute to national dialogue
Calls to remove monuments, memorials, and other symbols

Many chambers released statements addressing racial equity in response to George Floyd's death and the protests and demonstrations that occurred across the country. Issuing a public commitment to equity and inclusion, whether individually or in partnership with other organizations, makes a powerful statement.

Baton Rouge Area Chamber (LA) Pledges Sustained Action to Address Racial Disparities, Improve Region’s Economic Inclusion
Statement from Greenville Chamber (SC), Urban League of the Upstate & United Way of Greenville County
An Open Letter to Our Community from the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce (MO)
Minneapolis Regional Chamber and TwinWest Chamber (MN) George Floyd Statement
Chattanooga Chamber Launches CEO Pledge for Racial Equity, Invites Local Business Leaders to Make a Commitment

Joint Statement on the Renaming of Nichols Fountain & Parkway
The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce (MO), the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, and Visit KC released a joint statement to KCMO Parks & Recreation Commissioner Christopher Goode supporting the process underway to rename the J.C. Nichols Fountain and the adjacent J.C. Nichols Parkway. (June 15, 2020)
‘Embrace the movement’: Chamber of Commerce pushes to change state flag
The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce (MS) issued a statement in favor of changing Mississippi’s state flag, stating "The presence of the Confederate Battle Flag as a component of the 1894 flag is offensive to many, not representative of all Mississippians, and perpetuates negative stereotypes of our state." (June 14, 2020)

Chamber Calls for Removal of Silent Sam by Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce
City: Chapel Hill, NC
Publication Date: August 28, 2017
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce (NC) released a statement calling for the relocation of the "Silent Sam" confederate soldier statue at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Building Equitable Communities

Chambers of commerce, as community leaders and trusted voices across the country, can play a pivotal role in pushing for policy change. Explore the resources below to learn about the variety of ways that chambers are engaging in advocacy work to advance equity and inclusion for marginalized communities.

Community and Public Health:

Greater Cleveland Partnership Board Votes in Support of City Council’s Declaration of Racism as a Public Health Crisis
The Greater Cleveland Partnership (OH) board voted in full support of the move by Cleveland City Council to declare racism a public health crisis and to establish a working group to promote racial equity. (June 3, 2020)
Thurston Thrives
The Thurston County Chamber of Commerce Foundation (WA) is the backbone organization providing staff and fiscal accountability for Thurston Thrives, a community-wide effort to improve public health and safety throughout Thurston County. One of the initiative's current projects is conducting a community health assessment to better understand how Thurston County is addressing health equity barriers.

Community Policing and Police Reform:

Community Policing Roundtable Discussion
The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, the Diverse Business Council, and the City of Tuscaloosa hosted an online roundtable via Zoom/Facebook Live on the topic of community policing. This session was the first in their series of discussions on race relations "Bridging the Gap: A Series of Intentional Conversations."
Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets (CAHOOTS)
In 1989, the City of Eugene, OR, developed a program called CAHOOTS in collaboration with the White Bird Clinic to provide mental health first response for crises involving mental illness, homelessness, and addiction. The CAHOOTS model has been in the spotlight recently as our nation struggles to reimagine public safety.
Chamber leader offers police reform lessons
The president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce (CA) is calling for law enforcement agencies to go back to the days of “community policing” where officers focus on problem solving and developing strong bonds with the communities they serve.

Economic Mobility:

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Economic Development
Chamber Executive magazine article by Ernst & Young LLP (Winter 2021) - Diversity, equity and inclusion are increasingly discussed topics in economic development, but lack of clarity can make it difficult for communities to develop practical strategies to address each. As chambers, economic development organizations and other groups focus on economic recovery, the team at Ernst & Young's Economic Development Advisory Services explains how applying DEI frameworks will be important to growth and building long-term resilience.

In the summer of 2018, the Orlando Economic Partnership (FL) led a collective effort, engaging leadership, staff and stakeholders in the development of a strategic framework for the region’s future. The result was Launch to Tomorrow, an ambitious three-year plan to re-cast economic development to advance Broad-based Prosperity™ for the region. Learn more in the resources below.

Building an Economic Mobility Strategy
Slides for the webinar presented by Tim Giuliani, President & CEO, Orlando Economic Partnership (FL); Phoebe Fleming, Director of Research, Orlando Economic Partnership (FL), and Dr. Stephanie Hoopes, National Director of United For ALICE, United Way of Northern New Jersey (Aug 26, 2020)
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Creating opportunities for economic mobility requires all hands on deck. During this session, Tim Giuliani and Phoebe Fleming from the Orlando Economic Partnership and Dr. Stephanie Hoopes from the United Way will discuss their framework for Broad Based Prosperity and the strategy behind the development of the 2.0 framework and Prosperity Scorecard. They will also discuss how to create a mindset shift for your local employers on their role within social and economic mobility. The session will include tangible takeaways/resources to start having these important conversations.

Broad-based Prosperity
The Orlando Economic Partnership (FL) defines Broad-based Prosperity™ as a region whose residents live a meaningful life in a place where equal access to resources and pathways to success allows opportunities for all.
Orlando Prosperity Scorecard
The Orlando Economic Partnership (FL) launched the Orlando Prosperity Scorecard in 2019 to measure progress toward Broad-Based Prosperity™. The Scorecard is an interactive, simple and powerful tool designed to deepen the region’s understanding of the factors impacting progress toward economic security and well-being.
Collective Impact on Social Mobility
Team I of Leadership Orlando 2.0 cemented its legacy by creating a foresight-fueled Impact on Social Mobility agenda. The agenda aligns with a model for broad-based prosperity and calls for leaders to think about these challenges in a different way. (2019)

Employment:

Massachusetts Business Coalition on Skills Releases Policy Agenda
The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce (MA) is partnering with chambers and business associations throughout the state to launch the Massachusetts Business Coalition on Skills (MBCS). The MBCS developed a policy agenda with the goal of ensuring every resident can acquire the skills needed to thrive in their careers and every employer can find the talent they need to be successful.
STL 2030 Jobs Plan: Driving a Decade of Inclusive Growth
The Greater St. Louis, Inc. (MO) STL 2030 Jobs Plan is designed to provide a roadmap for driving the growth of quality jobs, while reducing racial and ethnic disparities in income and wealth. The draft plan presents five actionable strategies, recommended initiatives within each strategy, and concrete specifics on design, finance and implementation.

Hate Crime Legislation:

Statement regarding the passage of HB 426 for Hate Crimes Legislation in Georgia
The Georgia Chamber of Commerce and Metro Atlanta Chamber (GA) have been working to pass a hate crime bill that will allow enhanced criminal penalties for people who target others because of their race, gender, or sexual orientation. The bill was approved by the Georgia Legislature. (June 23, 2020)
Chamber Endorses Hate Crime Legislation
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce board of directors voted in favor of supporting bias/hate crime legislation. Kevin Brinegar, chief executive officer of the Indiana Chamber, stated "Having a meaningful bias crimes statute in Indiana is not only the right thing to do, it is also important to helping our employers recruit and retain talented employees." (Nov 14, 2018)

LGBTQ+ Policy Issues:

Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce applauds SCOTUS gay rights ruling
The Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce (PA), the advocacy arm of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, has voiced its support on the Supreme Court’s decision to protect gay and transgender workers under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Chamber's 2020 public policy priority issues include supporting legislation protecting LGBTQ residents from discrimination in employment, housing and public accomodation. (June 17, 2020)

The Economic Impact of Discriminatory Legislation on the State of Texas Report by Texas Association of Business
City: Austin, TX
Publication Date: 2017
The purpose of this report, commissioned by the Texas Association of Business, is to inform state legislators, policymakers, key influencers, the business community, the media, and Texas voters about potential effects of discriminatory legislation, including "bathroom bills," on the state of Texas' economic health.

Public Transportation:

For many years, the Indy Chamber (IN) has been an advocate for transit development in the city of Indianapolis. Enhancing mass transit can build a more equitable community by:

providing residents with greater job opportunities
attracting new talent to the region
increasing access to education
creating a cleaner and healthier city
contributing to a growing economy

Read more about the chamber's dedication to an expanded transit system in the resources below.

A trailblazing decade for Marion County's mass transit system
Op-ed written by Shelley Specchio and Michael Huber, President and CEO of Indy Chamber (IN). (Dec 29, 2019)
The socioeconomic stakes of transit
Article by Mark Fisher, Chief Policy Officer and Matt Impink, (Former) Director, Policy and Civic Engagement at the Indy Chamber (IN). (Mar 28, 2017)

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

Equality of Opportunity

Racial Equity Legislation Tracker