Mari's memo
Since 2005, Partners in Diversity has been providing educational programming, solutions to recruitment and retention challenges, and community-building opportunities to employers and communities of color. This work is even more important today. New data from the 2020 Census shows that the U.S. is more diverse and more multi-racial than ever.
Even Oregon, which has the dubious honor of being one of the least diverse states in the country, is seeing a shift in racial demographics – albeit a slight one. The state is now 71.7 percent white, down from 78.5 percent in 2010. In Washington, the white population dropped from 72.5 percent in 2010 to 63.8 percent in 2020.
People of color comprise more than half of the nation’s youth. This means in a few years, they will be the drivers in the nation’s labor force. Students today are extremely aware of the importance of equity and inclusion and are active in social justice work.
For employers, organization and community leaders, the data is a reminder to prepare your work environment to be inclusive and ensure that your workforce reflects the changing demographics. This involves shifting from an attitude based on the business case for racial diversity to one that embraces the moral obligation for diversity, equity and inclusion. How is DEI woven into the fabric of the organization and given the resources needed to sustain? Who is at the table and given a voice? Leaders need to think about their organizational values and social impact--and how they intersect with their employees, customers and other stakeholders.