DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

Discrimination is an undeniable legacy of our painful history. Racial disparities and implicit and explicit bias persist, and we acknowledge the toll that systemic racism has had on marginalized groups, particularly Black communities. Just as Explore Charleston is steadfast in our desire to create a more informed and equitable community, we are also committed to sharing our region’s complete and unvarnished story. We have made strides over the past several years and are proud of our organization and industry’s efforts to ensure tourism is an inclusive, honest, and economically beneficial contributor to the greater Charleston area and our state.

We recognize opportunities always exist to listen, learn, and enhance Explore Charleston’s work.

There is no perfect blueprint for work of this magnitude, and we will stumble at times in our endeavors. Nevertheless, we will remain sincere, intentional, transparent, and action-oriented. DEI is a continuous process - a shared journey, a shared responsibility, and a shared opportunity. Our overarching vision to inspire current and future generations to achieve the worthy goal of equality for all people is guided by seven objectives. Working with our Board of Governors, Heart for

Hospitality Steering Committee, and other stakeholders, we commit to expanding, or where necessary, developing new tactics that will comprise our DEI plan and contribute to a tourism industry that benefits our residents and visitors today and for generations to come.

We will:

1. Promote the region as an inviting, inclusive destination.

2. Inspire a deeper understanding and appreciation of the contributions - from the 17th century to present day - of Africans and African Americans to Charleston‘s cultural heritage, including the pain and prosperity, heartbreak and hope.

3. Enrich marketing efforts to connect most effectively and authentically with visitors.

4. Support minority-led businesses that can benefit from tourism.

5. Build the cultural competence of internal and external audiences with the goal of cultural proficiency.

6. Evaluate opportunities to recruit and develop individuals from diverse backgrounds for staff, leadership, and governance opportunities.

7. Lead workforce development programs to ensure the Greater Charleston community is more fully represented in the industry at all levels.

The need for our comprehensive workforce development program remains crucial. Recruiting and retaining qualified candidates and providing the training and mentoring they need to build a successful career is not new work for Explore Charleston. However, it has taken on an even greater level of importance for minority populations.

Our Heart for Hospitality initiative, created in August 2018, has focused on building awareness about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in our industry, and developing opportunities and pathways for underrepresented populations in our industry. The steering committee is composed of hospitality and local DEI professionals. Early initiatives addressed inclusion in the local tourism workforce through a series of unconscious bias training sessions. In light of the country’s recent civil unrest, the committee’s work expanded in scope as it became evident that Explore Charleston could become even more engaged on this important topic. Explore Charleston added a staff position whose sole responsibility is to address and create minority business opportunities. Listening sessions were held to determine how we could better serve our minority-led members. Our “Code of Business Ethics” for members of Explore Charleston’s Travel Council was updated to encourage inclusionary practices for businesses associated with us. We are working diligently to enhance our “Voices” website, which focuses on the authentic history and stories of local African Americans, and to connect those stories to economic opportunities for our community. We are expanding our conversation around South Carolina’s role in the Civil Rights story, including a virtual reality exhibit at the Charleston Visitor Center focusing on the landmark Briggs vs. Elliott case that ultimately led to school desegregation. And we created a unique internship initiative. Explore Charleston's Intern Cultural Enrichment Program is specifically designed to recruit students from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) into hospitality leadership. We also put pen to paper to solidify Explore Charleston’s DEI position and commitment:

As the region’s destination marketing and management organization, Explore Charleston is steadfast in our desire to create a more informed, just and equitable community. Explore Charleston’s work in the tourism industry is rooted in hospitality, and hospitality, at its core, demands a spirit of inclusivity. We have long believed there is no place in our society for racism, prejudice, or any violence or hatred associated with such beliefs. Sustainable and equitable communities can only be achieved through economic and social opportunity for all people regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, level of ability, religious belief or cultural background. Empathy, respect and integrity are vital to our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Every organization and individual plays a role. A commitment to DEI requires all of us to display empathy, respect and integrity.