Through my work, I have learned that competitive companies recognize that diversity is imperative.  It’s not just something nice to do but, rather initiatives taken seriously that encourages a culture of inclusion and respect to and from all. The workplace in Detroit is changing drastically and rapidly in many ways.  The kinds of people we see in high-powered jobs are more diverse.  The way people work together and the task they do are changing.  And the way business is done throughout the world is changing by the day.

Diversity is very important because it offers many payoffs for organizations, including attracting and retaining the best available talent, reducing cost, increasing organizational flexibility, attracting and keeping customers and suppliers, brand building, quality of management, problem solving and innovating more powerfully, increasing productivity and contributing to social responsibility (Carr-Ruffino, Sullican, & Pustay, 2013).

I will admit, organizations like Challenge Detroit truly understand the value of intellectual capital. Because with true knowledge, it creates a basis of all the dimensions of intellectual capital.  By discussing organizational advantages of having the most knowledge (intellectual capital), we must leverage various points of view to get the kind of knowledge we want.  For example, Challenge Detroit brought together 42 diverse young professionals with various backgrounds to make a greater impact in the Detroit community and I would agree that we want the most diverse knowledge possible. And this is why diversity work is so important.

Jarrett Waddy, Community Relations (Left) and Dr. Jan Cardwell-VP/Director at University of Phoenix Detroit (Right- my boss)

On Tuesday, January 24th, I had the opportunity to lead sponsorship of the 2017 Michigan Healthcare Diversity Summit, a healthcare summit focused on cultural competency.  Through partnership with the Michigan Diversity Council and University of Phoenix, College of Health Professions-Detroit Campus, the summit was designed to provide health care practitioners, administrators, students and professionals with a clearer understanding of foundations, philosophies, and processes that strengthen diversity management, inclusion, and culturally competent care delivery.  Even more interesting,  the main discussions surrounded, “How does diversity and inclusion play a role in quality healthcare?”  I was reminded that we are all human beings of the same species and race and that we must continuously seek to learn about our difference; what makes us unique, and how cultural knowledge can eliminate some disparities in healthcare across groups.

Keynote Speaker- Dr. Reginald Eddie, COO- Detroit Medical Center

Reference

Carr-Ruffino, N., Sullican, D., & Pustay, M. (2013). Administration, Globalization and Multiculturalism. Boston, MA: Pearson.