The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce's monthly diversity, equity, and inclusion newsletter provides updates, programming, resources, and professional development to empower the business community to contribute to an equitable and inclusive region.

August 2023 Edition

The LRCC DEI Series is powered by:

Important August Observations & Celebrations

National Civility Month August 7 – Purple Heart Day August 9 – International Day of the World’s Indigenous People August 13 – Left-Handers Day August 17 – Marcus Garvey Day (Jamaican) August 19 – World Humanitarian Day August 21 – Senior Citizens Day August 22 – American Business Women’s Day August 26 – Women’s Equality Day

Comcast 2023 Impact Report

Comcast released its 2023 Impact Report, which highlights stories of impact and data from its many initiatives to advance digital equity, champion diversity, and inclusion, and foster a cleaner environment. 2023 Comcast Business Impact Report

ATHENA Lansing

Evening of Empowerment Date & Time: Wednesday, Sept. 27, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Location: Crowne Plaza Lansing West 925 S. Creyts Roda, Lansing Tickets: $75 for ATHENA WIN members and $85 for future members.

Overview: Join ATHENA WIN for a night of comradery and collaboration as we welcome the 2022 ATHENA Leadership Award recipient, Dorothy E. Maxwell, and special keynote speaker, Heather Catlin, two-time Emmy Award Anchor, WSB-TV in Atlanta, GA. Sponsorships are still available. Learn more and register below. Register

Nominations for the ATHENA Leadership Award Close Sept. 15

The ATHENA Leadership Award was created in 1982 by Martha Mertz, former president of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. It has spread worldwide with more than 6,000 awards presented in over 500 communities in the United States, Canada, China, Russia, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom. The ATHENA Leadership Award honors individuals who strive towards the highest levels of professional accomplishment, excel in their chosen field, have devoted time and energy to their community, and pave paths for other women to follow. It also celebrates the potential of all women as leaders of the community and recognizes those who support them. The nomination form is available below.

ATHENA Leadership Award Nomination Form

Pave the Way: The 1-496 Project

“They Even Took the Dirt,” a one-hour documentary compiled from more than 75 oral histories of survivors and their children tells the crushing story of the destruction of a thriving African American neighborhood on Lansing’s westside in the 1960s. The Historical Society of Greater Lansing in cooperation with the city of Lansing utilized a grant from the National Parks Service to tell the I-496 story. The 11-mile stretch of freeway runs from U.S. 127 through Delta Township. 35 streets were dead-ended primarily through African American neighborhoods. People were given four months and had to fight for minimal relocation expenses. Read more in this month’s FOCUS Magazine on the I-496 project or watch the documentary below.

Pave the Way: The I-496 Project

What We're Reading

15 tips for building inclusive teams (plus benefits) More than DEI: Why it pays to get women in the boardroom Unlocking the Power of DEI: Building Better Programs for Business and People Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Benchmarks Closing the gender pay gap will empower women and deliver economic growth Why Companies Can – and Should – Recommit to DEI in the Wake of the SCOTUS Decision

Visit the LRCC DEI website for the latest news, important updates and resources.

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