Capital Region Minority Chamber of
Commerce
Diversity Summit
 |
| Belinda D'Agostino |
Growing up in Central New
Jersey I thought it was so cool that I could see and experience so many
different things.
This became even cooler as I
moved into adulthood and began to travel and meet more people. Those experiences made me realizes that most
people didn’t’ have the childhood I did and or the diversity.
Queensborough Community
College in New York defines “diversity” on it’s website as this:
Definition for
Diversity
The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and
respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing
our individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race,
ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical
abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. It
is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing
environment. It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple
tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity contained
within each individual.
Diversity is a reality created by individuals and groups
from a broad spectrum of demographic and philosophical differences. It is
extremely important to support and protect diversity because by valuing
individuals and groups free from prejudice, and by fostering a climate where
equity and mutual respect are intrinsic.
"Diversity" means more than just acknowledging
and/or tolerating difference. Diversity is a set of conscious practices that
involve:
§ Understanding
and appreciating interdependence of humanity, cultures, and the natural
environment.
§ Practicing
mutual respect for qualities and experiences that are different from our own.
§ Understanding
that diversity includes not only ways of being but also ways of knowing;
§ Recognizing
that personal, cultural and institutionalized discrimination creates and
sustains privileges for some while creating and sustaining disadvantages for
others;
§ Building
alliances across differences so that we can work together to eradicate all
forms of discrimination.
Diversity includes, therefore, knowing how to relate to
those qualities and conditions that are different from our own and outside the
groups to which we belong, yet are present in other individuals and groups.
These include but are not limited to age, ethnicity, class, gender, physical
abilities/qualities, race, sexual orientation, as well as religious status,
gender expression, educational background, geographical location, income,
marital status, parental status, and work experiences. Finally, we acknowledge
that categories of difference are not always fixed but also can be fluid, we
respect individual rights to self-identification, and we recognize that no one
culture is intrinsically superior to another.
The New Jersey State Department of Health states
that NJ is one of the 3 most diverse states in America.
With that being said it is no wonder as to why
I support organizations that believe in the importance of diversity and
inclusion. In May of 2015 the Capital
Region Minority Chamber of Commerce (CRMCC) held The Central Jersey Diversity
Summit in Princeton NJ. The event was done in partnership with The Capital
Region Minority Chamber of Commerce,
Capital Region Minority Chamber of Commerce
Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce
American Conference on Diversity
The event was open to business owners, corporate purchasing
and human resources professionals, recruiters and anyone invested in issues of
diversity and inclusion.
The attendees heard from;
Opening Keynote Speaker; Elizabeth Williams Riley - President
& CEO - American Conference on Diversity
Closing Keynote speaker; Domenick Cama, COO, Investors Savings
Bank
Breakout
Sessions with Industry Leaders;
Gale Britton, Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion
Prudential Financial
Yvette Donado, Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative
Officer, ETS
Michael Garner, Chief Diversity Officer, MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority, State
of New York)
Ryan Parker, Chief Diversity Officer & Assistant VP, RWJ
University Hospital
Maureen Tinen, President, UCEDC
Avis Yates-Rivers, CEO, Technology Concepts Group, Int’l
Moderating the break out sessions;
Vanessa Nazario
Rod Colon
In addition to the breakfast buffet the Capital Region
Minority Chamber of Commerce Central New Jersey Diversity Summit offered
significant networking opportunities. In
closing attendees learned why diversity is invaluable to business enterprises
and more. The Hyatt Regency of Princeton
provided a wonderful location for the event with a central location, ample
staff and amenities.
About CRMCC
About us
The Capital Region
Minority Chamber of Commerce (CRMCC) is an organizational partner providing
active support to minority business enterprises in Central New
Jersey. Minority businesses include (but are not limited to) those belonging to
minority ethnic groups, businesses owned primarily by women, LGBT individuals,
and persons with disabilities. The Chamber offers advocacy and promotional opportunities
for members while expanding possibilities, uncovering solutions and
leveraging cultural differences for sustainable prosperity in the Capital
region.
The Capital region is a
diverse epicenter of commerce and entrepreneurship. Our mission encourages a
climate where individuals and organizations benefit from a wide array of
experiences, perspectives and backgrounds. We aim to promote fluency in issues
of diversity and inclusion, provide education and professional
development while connecting minority businesses with each other and the
community at large. Through annual programming, networking opportunities and
access to the region’s top business leaders, members discover new ways to grow
professional acumen and bottom line.
If you are seeking Access, Results, Visibility, Leadership, Regional Impact and
Networking in the Capital Region, then an active membership in the CRMCC is for
you!
Upcoming Event
