November 2024 Edition

Important November Observations & Celebrations

Month-Long Observances

• Diabetes Awareness Month
• National Native American, American Heritage Month

Important DE&I Calendar Dates

• November 9 – World Freedom Day
• November 9 – World Adoption Day
• November 11 – Remembrance Day
• November 11 – Veterans Day
• November 12 – Birth of Baha’u’llah (Baha’i)
• November 13 – World Kindness Day
• November 16 – International Day for Tolerance
• November 19 – International Men’s Day

• November 20 – Transgender Day of Remembrance
• November 20 – World Children’s Day (Human Rights, U.N.)
• November 28 – Thanksgiving
• November 25 – Day of the Covenant (Baha’i)
• November 27 – Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha (Baha’i)

INVESTVets: Bridging the Gap for Veteran Employment

INVESTVets, a key initiative of the Lansing Area Veterans Coalition since 2015, works to enhance job opportunities for Michigan’s veterans and their families by addressing the cultural gap between military and civilian workplaces. With over 500 employer partners statewide, INVESTVets creates a supportive environment that eases the stress of traditional job fairs, connecting employers with skilled veteran talent.

2024 Women in the Workplace Report by McKinsey & Company

The 2024 Women in the Workplace report by McKinsey & Company marks a decade of analysis on gender equity in corporate America, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges.

Key findings include:

1. Representation Gains and Challenges: Women’s representation has increased across all levels, especially in senior roles, yet it remains fragile. Women of color continue to be significantly underrepresented in leadership, with Black women facing the steepest drop-off at the first promotion to manager.
2. Career Advancement and Bias: Career development and sponsorship programs have diminished over the years, particularly for women of color. Microaggressions and gender bias in performance reviews and daily interactions persist, hindering women’s confidence and advancement.
3. Managerial and Organizational Support: While more organizations emphasize inclusive practices and allyship, these intentions are not translating into consistent managerial action. Women still experience high levels of burnout, partly due to unequal domestic responsibilities and limited workplace support.
4. Commitment to Diversity: A concerning trend is the decline in companies’ commitment to diversity. Despite gains in remote work flexibility and family support benefits, the overall commitment to gender diversity is waning, risking setbacks.

The report urges companies to reinforce their dedication to DEI practices, focusing on systemic change and accountability to achieve lasting progress. For the full insights and recommendations, read the complete report below.

Talent & Business Resource Navigator: Your Hub for Funding, Growth and Business Resources

The Business Resource Navigator and the Talent Resource Navigator are two pages that serve as a resource hub for our members to easily find and navigate through a wealth of information on the Chamber’s website. While some topics will remain static, we will keep these pages living with time-sensitive information as well to keep our members up to date on current information, grant/funding opportunities, events, professional growth opportunities, and much more.

Upcoming Events & Programs

Kick Off the Holiday Season with ATHENA WIN

• 22 Small Business Saturday Ideas for 2023
• Diversify Your Hiring Process with this 5-Minute Strategy
• The Hidden Value of ‘Soft Skills’ for Veterans in the Workplace
• What Having a “Growth Mindset” Actually Means
• Leveraging Data to Promote DEI in the Workplace

Thank You to Our Sponsors