April 2024 Letter from the President
By
Roz Lewis
Posted: 2024-09-18T04:00:00Z
We’ve all read about the legal challenges around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices from organizations and businesses to educational institutions across the country. With recent decisions and increased challenges to DEI and supplier diversity efforts, many leaders like me and the GWBC team remain dedicated to the mission of improving communities through entrepreneurship, viewing it as a fundamental American value.
While some may consider DEI as simply being “politically correct,” this practice can actually give businesses a competitive edge by helping to attract generational top talent, especially the younger generation looking for companies whose values align with their own. Additionally, a diverse workforce and supplier base can better understand and cater to a broad consumer base, leading to more satisfied customers and business growth. Diverse perspectives foster creativity and innovation, crucial for the success of businesses trying to stay dynamic and innovative.
In the United States, the state of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion remains a complex and evolving landscape. As decisions and legislation are made to minimize or eliminate DEI, smart corporations and organizations are demonstrating their ability to transform DEI by using strategic and intentional practices to satisfy stakeholders and maintain market share.
This was never more apparent as it was the week of March 21-23 at the WBENC National Conference where GWBC® joined thousands of WBEs and corporate members from across the country. The diversity at this conference further proves the power, movement and improvements that come from DEI practices. We had an amazing and inspirational time as we experienced all that the 2024 WBENC conference had to offer and the more “Mission Movers” I met, the more I realized that our efforts to improve and protect DEI and supplier diversity practices among our certified women businesses and corporate partners will never stop.
Always in your service,
Roz Lewis