Commit to Inclusion

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

JOSEPH HENNING, President & CEO Henry County Chamber of Commerce

The Henry County Chamber of Commerce is committed to championing efforts toward a more understanding, equitable, and inclusive environment. Last fall, the Board of Directors approved a new initiative to identify opportunities and create understanding around diversity.

In recent weeks, that call has been heard loud and clear. Putting forth a statement condemning the actions of some is not enough. Both the Chamber and the Convention and Visitors Bureau are committed to holding meaningful conversations with our community in an effort to create a more inclusive community for residents, visitors, and employers.

We invite anyone who is interested to join us for community dialogues to be held monthly. The first conversation will be Monday, June 29, at 10 a.m. and available virtually via Facebook. It will feature our Board Chair-elect Lincoln Parks with WebMobileFusion and his guests discussing Malcolm Gladwell’s Talking to Strangers. If you would like to join the conversation, visit our events calendar at www.HenryCounty.com.

COMMUNITY DIALOGUE BOOK CLUB

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 10:00AM, VIA ZOOM & FACEBOOK LIVE

DISCUSSION LEADER, LINCOLN PARKS,CEO, WebMobileFusion Chair-Elect Henry County Chamber of Commerce

The Henry County community is invited to join the discussion around Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. The discussion will be centered around the book Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell. Register via Zoom: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_37cbkc9kTH29vp4B04u6KQ

Talking to Strangers in hardback is available at Story on the Square, 19 Griffin Street, McDonough, GA, 678-759-0079.

CHAMBER TAKING STEPS FOR DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

November 2019: Chamber Board approves new DEI Committee initiative

December 2019: Meeting with Women’s Chamber President to discuss opportunities to collaborate

March 2020: Piedmont’s Executive Director of Diversity JoAnne Hill speaks at Women’s Empowerment Summit

March 2020: Partnership with Georgia Hispanic Chamber launches

April 2020: U.S. Census 2020 Kicks Off

June 2020: Chamber, CVB Boards approve statements on racial equity and social justice

June 2020: Chamber partners with other business organizations in Georgia and across the nation to work for equity

June 2020: Henry County Chamber launches community dialogue/book discussion series with Malcolm Gladwell’s Talking to Strangers

HENRY CO. CHAMBER JOINS NATIONAL INITIATIVE TO ADDRESS INEQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY

Last month, the Henry County Chamber of Commerce announced it has partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on a national initiative to address inequality of opportunity.

The Henry County Chamber will join the U.S. Chamber’s national townhall event on June 25 where business and community leaders will discuss concrete actions that can be taken by government and the private sector to address inequality through education, employment, entrepreneurship, and criminal justice reform. As a partner on this important initiative, the Henry Chamber will host local and industry dialogues to further the discussion.

“Whether in Atlanta and the need for hate-crimes legislation or Washington, DC, and the call for nationwide initiatives, there is still a great deal of work to be done,” explains Joseph Henning, Chamber president and CEO. “With the Chamber and CVB, we are going beyond a simple statement of condemnation and looking at actions that can result in measurable results.”

“The moral case for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace is indisputable, and there’s overwhelming evidence that greater diversity benefits the American economy, businesses, communities and employees,” said U.S. Chamber President Suzanne Clark. “We are proud to partner with Henry County Chamber on this initiative and help develop a robust plan of action.”

The work of this national initiative will build on the work already undertaken by Henry County Chamber.

“Last fall, the Chamber’s Board of Directors approved the initiation of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee,” concludes Henning. “That committee has been meeting and identifying opportunities to improve social justice. With recent tensions across the country, that work is even more important and necessary.”