GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – New North and Fox Valley Society of Human Resources Management released a publication today about businesses becoming more inclusive and diverse. The project began last Fall, but comes at a time people are protesting all over the nation for justice for minorities.
“When it was ready to go it was very timely,” said President and CEO of New North Barb LaMue.
Minorities make up nearly 13% of Wisconsin’s population. This publication offers advice on how to implement action plans for businesses.
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Some are advocates believe it’s a start in a right direction.
“I think any work you do in education people and the content is good, it’s going to bear some fruit,” said Renita Robinson CEO of YWCA.
“We know we have work to do,” said LaMue, “the more we can share best practices and have these honest and open conversations to address this issue we feel our region will be better served.”
And open and honest conversations is where Robinson sees change beginning
“When measuring being inclusive, you have to ask the people that are different what it’s like” said Robinson.
The guide is also about providing resources and tools.
“We have a lot of CEOs that have engaged…” said LaMue, “companies are willing to share these resources and help”
It is also about putting them into action.
“You can have all the right words but in practice not get the job done,” said Robinson, “so it’s important to be making investments into things that are actually shifting needles.”
Both women acknowledge, it will take time to meet their goals.
“This is 400 years of concrete,” Robinson said, “it’s not going to break up easily.”