Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

The Partnership, in pursuit of the shared vision to make Columbus the most prosperous region in the U.S., is developing a new plan to address its role in realizing this community-wide aspiration.

The Partnership’s DEI Steering Committee has been engaged in the development of a strategy that is focused on building equitable outcomes necessary to achieve this vision. The work is being guided by Ryan Donahue, principal of RM Donahue Consulting and fellow at the Brookings Institution. In July and September, the three DEI workgroups convened with Ryan Donahue to discuss next steps.

The discussion centered on how to approach the aspiration to make Columbus the most inclusive of its peer regions and a model for how the private sector can lead in the creation of a more equitable economy. To do this, Columbus must work to close racial disparities in education, incomes and wealth.

Work is ongoing to develop a portfolio of goals and related actions for the Partnership. This topic will also be addressed with members during virtual strategy sessions in October.

WORKGROUP UPDATES

INDIVIDUAL AWARENESS AND EDUCATION

The Individual Awareness and Education workgroup, focused on furthering our understanding of the impacts of racism on society and here in Columbus, will explore plans for the Partnership’s educational opportunities in 2022. Though the September conversation about race rooted in the work of Aminah Robinson was canceled due the surge in COVID-19 cases, the commitment to education remains.

ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT

The Organizational Commitment workgroup, focused on what we must do within our own organizations to drive change, is in the process of understanding where Partnership organizations sit today on the broad spectrum of DEI-focused activity. Partnership members were asked to complete a survey, which will allow the Organizational Commitment workgroup to understand the baseline of DEI-focused activity that exists within the membership. Survey results along with information collected during one-on-one qualitative interviews will be used to build a framework of recommendations to enact or change within Partnership organizations.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

The Community Partnerships workgroup, focused on identifying where the Partnership should align with existing efforts in Columbus, has been meeting with equity-focused organizations. One outcome of such meetings is that the Columbus Partnership has formalized a partnership with the African American Leadership Academy (AALA) with an investment of $150,000 to support a second cohort of the AALA Signature Program for the upcoming class to begin in January.

In addition, Partnership members and staff assisted with the recruitment, interview and onboarding process for the Rise Together Innovation Center chief executive officer, Danielle Sydnor, who started the position in September. The center’s office is co-located at the Smart Columbus Experience Center. Workgroup members continue to meet monthly with Rise Together Innovation Center leadership to ensure ongoing connectivity and to identify future areas of potential support and partnership.