What is the difference between diversity and inclusion? Are Corridor businesses both diverse and inclusive?

We Create Here was an initiative within the Gazette Company to develop evolving narratives and authentic conversations throughout Iowa's Creative Corridor. read more

This week as part of We Create Here, I'm asking the following question: What is the difference between diversity and inclusion?

A couple weeks ago during an interview, I was talking to Mark Grey from the University of Northern Iowa about his research and work at the Iowa Center for Immigrant Leadership and Integration. During our conversation, he noted that for some businesses, covering and addressing diversity is as simple as having a one time event on the topic.

Grey and I were talking about something I heard at the Diversity Forum I attended in October. I learned there that businesses want to know how diversity impacts their bottom line.

“Businesses look for the bottom line in the short term, but this is a long term process,” Grey said during our interview. “I understand that they have profits to make, they have employees … I get that. But most of the major companies we work with, they think that if they absolutely have to do it, they can do it with a lunch and learn.”

But addressing diversity is not as simple as that, said Grey and his colleague Michele Devlin, also a University of Northern Iowa professor. For members of diverse communities to truly feel welcome in businesses, it takes a comprehensive support system. What else is required to ensure everyone feels welcome at their place of work?

Are Corridor businesses and communities diverse and inclusive? How can businesses take diversity training to the next level? These are the questions I am asking this week. If you believe your business is both a diverse and inclusive place, please send me a note at kiran.sood@sourcemedia.net or call me at 319-398-8330.