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.
The LRCC DEI Series is powered by MSUFCU.
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As MSUFCU has grown in the past 85 years, so has the need for a dedicated effort to focus on employees, members, and the community under the diversity, equity, and inclusion lens. This led to the creation of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) department in 2020. The DEIB department — initially DEI — was created to drive the Credit Union’s initiatives. In December 2022, Belonging was added to DEI to enhance employees’ sense of belonging in the workplace.
The DEIB department has its own DEIB Council. Comprised of 12 employees from across the Credit Union, the council leads DEIB-related projects in collaboration with the department.
The DEIB department also oversees and supports our employee resource groups, also known as “affinity groups", that help enhance our DEIB goals and those of MSUFCU as a whole.
The affinity groups allow employees to come together to work on passion projects, share experiences, and teach others about their groups. These groups include employees who share characteristics, affinities, or professional interests. They provide resources for Credit Union employees and the organization through events and regular communication.
Affinity groups are an integral part of the DEIB culture at MSUFCU. With eight established groups, nearly half of the organization belongs to one or more of them. Our affinity groups include:
- CU Asia
- CU Bold
- CU Capable
- CU Latine
- CU Parent Support
- CU Pride
- CU Prime
- CU Veterans
Community involvement, making a positive impact, and building on MSUFCU’s core values are central to each affinity group’s mission. Through donations, education, and volunteerism, employees have made a direct impact while cultivating diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
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Important May Observations & Celebrations |
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- Older Americans Month
- Jewish American Heritage Month
- Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
- May 1: Beltane
- May 3: Feasts of St. Philip & James
- May 3: Asian-American Women’s Equal Pay Day
- May 4: National Day of Prayer
- May 5: Buddha Day
- May 5: Cinco de Mayo
- May 17: International Day Against Homophobia
- May 18: Ascension Day
- May 19: Malcolm X Day
- May 21: World Day for Cultural Diversity
- May 29: Memorial Day
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State Senator Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) has reintroduced legislation known as The Crown Act which stands for “Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.” The legislation would prevent discrimination by expanding state law to recognize a person’s hair as a characteristic of race.
Michigan is one of 30 states that doesn’t have protection for traditionally black hairstyles. Senate Bill 90 is up for consideration in the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, & Public Safety Committee. The Chamber is supportive of this legislation because it will help businesses create a more inclusive and equitable workplace.
Read more about the CROWN Act in the Michigan Advance or watch testimony on the CROWN Act below.
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Upcoming Events & Programming |
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Business Education Series: SBA 504 Loan & Government Contracts
Date & Time: Wednesday, May 24 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Lansing Regional Chamber, 500 E. Michigan Avenue, Suite 200, Lansing
Tickets: The program is offered at no cost for Lansing Regional Chamber members and $25 for future members.
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Overview: During this two-part presentation, attendees will learn about SBA 504 Loan from the Michigan Certified Development Corporation (MCDC) and attendees will learn how to participate in federal, state, and local government contracts from by APEX (formerly known as PTAC Procurement Technical Assistance Centers).
Speakers: Mike Hindenach, accelerator program manager, South Central APEX and Coty Gould, mid-Michigan loan officer, MCDC
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LRCC Federal & State Business Roundtable
Date & Time: Monday, June 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Lansing Regional Chamber, 500 E. Michigan Avenue, Suite 200, Lansing
Tickets: The program is offered at no cost for Lansing Regional Chamber members and $25 for future members.
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Speaker: Senate Appropriations Chair Sarah Anthony
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Series: Four Steps for DEI Success
Date & Time: Tuesday, June 13 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Lansing Regional Chamber, 500 E. Michigan Avenue, Suite 200, Lansing
Tickets: The program is offered at no cost for Lansing Regional Chamber members and $25 for future members.
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Overview: Led by Matthew D. Anderson, Leadership Coach, Ethics Researcher, DEI Bridge, and author of There’s No Such Thing as Right and Wrong, attendees will explore the steps everyone can take to ensure DEI success.
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ATHENA WIN Girls' Night Out Meet-Up Series
Date & Time: Wednesday, June 14 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Location: Lansing Shuffle, 325 Riverfront Drive, Lansing
Tickets: The event is offered at no cost.
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Overview: Join ATHENA WIN at the Lansing Shuffle for the June Girls' Night Out Meet-Up! Connect and network with other professional women in the Greater Lansing area.
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New “ATHENA Lansing” Tab on LRCC Website: Empowering Women Leaders in the Lansing Region |
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The ATHENA Lansing tab is a new section of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce's (LRCC) website that is specifically focused to provide information on empowering women leaders in the Lansing region. This new tab, located on the homepage of the LRCC website and provides resources related to the ATHENA Women's Interest Network (WIN), ATHENA PowerLink, and the ATHENA Leadership Award. These programs support and empower women leaders, business owners, and women staff in the Lansing region. |
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Working to Bridge the Digital Divide
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Work within the area of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion can take many shapes and sizes. At AT&T, among the many initiatives we’ve outlined in this newsletter in the past, we are also committed to bridging the digital divide and ensuring that everyone has access to the resources they need to be included in today's increasingly digital world. That's why we are proud to support initiatives like the Connected Learning Center inside Jefferson East Inc.'s Neighborhood Resource Hub in Detroit, which provides free access to high-speed internet, Wi-Fi, computers, and technical resources for students and families
We believe that access to technology is not enough on its own, which is why we also provide workshops and resources to help people feel confident and safe when using technology. Our commitment to digital literacy was on full display when we recently organized a free cybersecurity workshop for seniors at the Jefferson East Inc. hub.
We recognize that many people, especially those in underserved communities, lack the comfort and familiarity with technology that can make it intimidating to use. We want to change that. Through workshops like this one, we hope to build confidence and comfort in using technology and to help close the digital divide that persists in populations around the country.
Our broader digital equity-based initiatives are critically important because we believe that everyone needs access to fast and reliable internet service as well as the training and support to safely and effectively use it. By providing both access to technology and the training and support to use it, we can help ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live, learn, work, and succeed in the digital age.
Click here to learn more about AT&T Connects and the good work AT&T is doing through its digital literacy workshops.
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April DEI Series Recap: Everyday Practices for Creating a Culture of Inclusion & Belonging |
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During the LRCC DEI Education Series in late April, Lansing Board of Water & Light DEI specialist Dr. Vernon Anthony Woodley discussed identifying and explicating 12 everyday actions that every employee can take to help create a culture of inclusion in their workplace. |
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12 Daily Actions You Can Take to Foster and Maintain an Inclusive Culture |
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- Respect and welcome ideas that are different from your own.
- Be mindful of visible and invisible disabilities.
- Use inclusive language and ask questions instead of making assumptions.
- Pause and think for a moment, you will avoid saying or doing something offensive.
- Exercise curiosity, humility, empathy, and a willingness to learn.
- Everyone makes mistakes. When you make a mistake, apologize immediately. Do NOT make excuses.
- Encourage participation from ALL team members.
- Avoid singling out minoritized individuals to speak on behalf of the group.
- Be cognizant of your unconscious biases.
- Be transparent to the extent that your position allows you to.
- Join an ERG, participate in DEI activities, and share your cultural celebrations.
- Be an ally.
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The LGBTQ+ Artist in Michigan |
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The Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center in partnership with Suits and the City will be holding The LGBTQ+ Artist In Michigan Exhibition on view from May 3 to June 29.
This group exhibition showcases artists who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community. More information is available below.
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Visit the LRCC DEI website for the latest news, important updates and resources.
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