9427333_PPB_Sep20

PPAI’s Diversity, Equity And Inclusion ForumBrings Clarity To A Complex Topic Diversity, equity and inclusion, and how they relate to matters of business, are becoming ever-more relevant with each passing day—and sometimes with each passing moment. These terms are frequently (and incorrectly) used interchangeably but each word represents a distinct component of a three-piece whole, and because of that, one word without the others is an incomplete statement. Many industries are transitioning to a system designed to better recognize the distinct needs, skills and offerings of their employees, and to ensure that everyone has what they require to perform at their best, and to do so comfortably and confidently. To address what industry professionals can do to create lasting change in the industry and how they can do it, especially in light of current events, PPAI held its Diversity, Equity And Inclusion Forum on July 23. The virtual forumwas free to PPAI members and drew 63 participants—66 percent were distributors, 19 percent were suppliers and 15 percent were business services or regional associations. It was led by PPAI’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Team consisting of Julie Kwan, manager of diversity and learning engagement; Kathlene Brethowr, volunteer programs coordinator, and Maurice Norris, public affairs manager, and was moderated by Jody Shaw, CMP, PMP, PPAI’s professional development manager. The two-hour virtual event, which included two roundtable discussions, also featured speakers Seth Weiner, MAS, president of Gaithersburg, Maryland, distributor Sonic Promos, who spoke on the action plan his company developed to implement DEI strategies, and Latria Graham, president of Winter Park, Florida, distributor Graham Leak Branding, who spoke on how she’s navigated as a minority business owner during a time of uncertainty. The intent of the forumwas to present a complex, multifaceted topic and break it into “smaller, more digestible actions,” Kwan says, allowing professionals to take smaller steps to build toward a better collective future. Of those in attendance, more than half (55 percent) said their company did not have a diversity, equity and inclusion strategy in place, or perhaps did, but they didn’t know about it. To identify challenges that may exist, Kwan opened the discussion by focusing on four key questions: What’s going on in the world today? What are diversity, equity and inclusion? What are some best practices for diversity and inclusion in business? What can you do to effect change in your business? Kwan also provided clarity on key components and terms linked to the DEI discussion. Diversity, she says, “encompasses every person’s unique blend of demographic characteristics.” Equality is “the fair and impartial treatment of every person, regardless of gender, race, disability, religion, nationality, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, PPAI’s first Diversity, Equity And Inclusion Forum was held virtually in July. by Danielle Renda 88 | SEPTEMBER 2020 | CONNECT