After taking a couple days off and finally catching up with my google reader, I came across Tiffany R. Warren’s Ad Age piece Are Diversity Initiatives Obama-Proof? : Taking the White House Might Give the Impression It’s OK to Cut Back on Diversity Programs. Being a young, black professional in the DC area, Warren’s title triggered several sensors in my mind making it a must read: Diversity, Obama, Politics and Workplace.
Warren leads off by recalling her experience at a NYTimes/Reuters/Time Inc. panel:
“At a recent panel discussion sponsored by The New York Times, Thomson Reuters and Time Inc., someone asked, ‘If Obama wins, do we lose?’ By ‘we,’ the attendee meant those that lead the diversity efforts in corporate America. In other words, will a Barack Obama win create the false impression that America has gotten over its racial issues? And will that in turn give corporate America ‘permission’ to trim or dismantle diversity programs?”
The attendee’s questions make a pretty loose assumption and Warren doesn’t accept it, but she does express a level of caution that I can understand.
What will happen to those programs if Barack wins? Even if he doesn’t win, when people cry foul in terms of the level of workforce diversity, will claims be dismissed with thoughts of Obama and what he was able to achieve? I hope not.
Ryan Healy recently wrote an inspirational post titled 10 Ways Gen Y Will Change the Workplace. In it he mentions some great ideas that I believe are very doable and really will change the workplace for the better: only holding productive meetings, shortening the work day, higher starting salaries, and promoting based on emotional intelligence.
It’s my hope that in the new American workplace that Gen Y is creating that we:
- truly value diversity
- take into account the experiences and perspectives brought to the table
- break the mold and
- really commit to making an environment where we can all succeed.
I’ve been a little low on the posts lately because I was busy soaking up information at the National Minority Quality Forum’s 2008 Leadership Summit. This two-day summit was hosted by the Forum in conjunction with the Congressional Black Caucus‘ Health Braintrust. Summit organizers Dr. Gary Puckrein and Congresswoman Donna Christensen (D-VI) gathered a group of brilliant physicians, pharmacists, researchers, pharmaceutical representatives and health communicators together to focus on working towards health equity and improving the health, health care and well being of everyone in America.
I had the opportunity to sit down with some of the brightest minds in health and learn more about the folllowing topics:
- Ehtnic and Racial Disparities in Pharmaceutical Therapy
- Management of Diabetes in Minorities
- The Social Determinants of Health
- Minorities in Clinical Trials.
Time and time again, attendees heard about the many problems currently present in our health care system, but another message managed to make its way into the conversation, the need for us to take personal responsibility. Honorees Congressman James Clyburn, Della Reese, and Rev. Jesse Jackson all reinforced this message with stories of their struggles and the struggles of those close to them.
I am not sure if I could ever completely convey the effect that those special people had on me, but it was like renewing a vow, a vow to communicate for the greater good. In many ways, the summit recharged me, and I am now ready to jump back in with the writing, the podcasting, the pitching and the blogging.
I hope you all at one point experience what I have over the last few days and get the opportunity to renew a vow of your own.
Over the last two and a half days, I’ve had the great honor of being among the next generation of DC’s great social entrepreneurs at the Next Wave Action Summit. Organized by Creative Cause’s founder Tambra Stevenson, the Next Wave Action Summit was created to gather young professionals and students committed to leading change through social enterprise and political leadership in their communities.
I had the opportunity to join two other PR and Marketing Pros on a panel and share my thoughts on how you can Market Your Cause Creatively, and I learned so much from all of the speakers and other people in attendance. As they spoke, I jotted down some of their inspiring words and interesting thoughts:
“There’s a lot of talk about experience this days…but don’t discount your passion.”
“If the vision is pure, the provision will come.”
“If you are looking to start a venture, you want to seek other professionals to help you and if you’re thinking of seeking the self-employment plunge, you may want to seek professional help”
The speaker who shared the last thought drew a few laughs, but I half way took him seriously. Could you imagine quitting your job and having no benefits, no secure source of income? I commend everyone who has successfully made the plunge. Maybe one day…
For any of you looking to make the plunge or looking to help those who have, these are some great people to talk to:
1. The Mental Essentials check: Keys, Wallet, Phone, iPod.
2. Blasting music on my short, yet life-threatening jaywalk to the metro.
3. The mad dash to the metro platform to catch the train pulling in (because waiting 3 minutes for the next train goes against everything I stand for) .
4. The Express paper.
With the exception of getting a honey wheat plain cream cheese bagel from my favorite DC bagel shop, the Express paper is the best part of my morning. It’s free, I can get a quick read on anything I might have missed the day before, and I get a few laughs from pooch cafe. Well, yesterday I got a real treat in coming across this ad for Washington Sports Clubs.
I really have to give it to the creative people who are behind this ad. Given the Gen-Y attention span, it’s a wonder that I read it and remembered it, right?
At first, I thought it was, but it’s definitely not a wonder. That ad was made for me, a Gen-Y DC mind. It’s clean, easy to read, extremely timely and sharp on the messaging. The Ad reads: “$29 to Join, That’s about $79,971 less than Spitzer’s ‘workout’ budget.”
Anyone who’s ever spent time with us know that we live and breathe politics, and there’s only one thing we love more than a good political argument, a good political joke.
To the Sports Club creatives, keep ‘em coming! To all the Gen-Y DC minds out there, hope you enjoyed this one as much as I did.
Background: Former Congresswoman and Vice-Presidential candidate (Mondale-Ferraro ‘84) Geraldine Ferraro told Torrance, California newspaper, The Daily Breeze: “If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman of any color, he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept.”
No reason to mince words here: Communication Blunder!
Diagnosis: I am not sure what could have caused this blunder, but the damage is done. Ferraro tried to prescribe her own treatment plan which included doses of fingerpointing, denial, and ignorance , and her attempt to defend herself when she appeared on FOX News made things worse. This strategy isn’t working and has led to more negative coverage.
Prescription: Geraldine, I’d like you to try a new treatment plan that was recently approved for politicos like yourself (ones who won’t let themselves be discriminated against because they’re white). This plan includes an acknowledgement of misspeaking and a hefty dose of silence. Risks are minimal and side effects include a retreat from the forefront of election discussion and feelings of political irrelevance.
Posted by jaywalk1
Posted by jaywalk1
Posted by jaywalk1
