2021 DBC Summit
November 9, 2021
Chamber President and CEO Jim Page provided insight on having those “very direct” conversations with some minority leaders in our community over recent weeks, specifically Black men in the community, who he pointed out are an underrepresented group in the Chamber. He says, “We've done a lot of listening. I've done a lot of listening. But I still have a lot to learn. And that's going to happen when we talk to each other, but more importantly, when we listen to each other. That's what today is about: listening to each other.” He ended by saying that if we do that, this community is going to be an even greater place to live, work, play, and raise a family.
DBC Chair Mildred Black, CEO and Founder of People Optimum Consulting, LLC, gave the purpose behind events like this: to create awareness of minority-owned businesses in West Alabama while highlighting opportunities for women and men of color. She asked the room to look at their directors, senior leadership, and management teams and think about the perspectives not being heard. She said leaders and managers need to go beyond the step of bringing people together who look different, but to really look at policies and practices.
Guest speaker Dr. James King Jr. had an interactive approach for the crowd by going around the room with Q&A, with the main point of “Acceptable Differences,” meaning unraveling harmful workplace preferences and habits to create an inclusive culture where everyone is seen and heard.
Keynote Speaker Mamadou Diop shared the three C’s of an evolving working environment: Courage, Willful Courtesy, and Commitment. Diop wanted those in the room to “have the courage to believe and say the right things. Have a genuine curiosity to listen and learn — sometimes that involves having some tough conversations, and doing something and committing to it.” He emphasized to employers that spending the time to invest in their talent creates opportunities for them to grow inside and outside of the organization that will truly impact their lives and the communities in which they live.