MARCH 2023 EDITION
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.
Making Progress with Purpose During Women’s History Month and Beyond
March 2023
March is Women’s History Month, a time to pause, reflect on, and acknowledge the progress women have made and honor those who have paved the way. It’s a call to action: to empower new generations of women and give them the courage, confidence, and willpower to continue making progress with purpose. This happens by asking a simple question: “Why do we do what we do?” Before we can make progress, we need to define our purpose.

To succeed in tech, and really any industry, women need to surround themselves with a strong network of peers, mentors and sponsors who can support them, and who they can support in return. One way this is being done at AT&T is with the creation of an employee network called Cybersecurity@Work at AT&T. It provides mentoring, education and networking opportunities to foster growth and create a cyber-aware culture at AT&T.

Early exposure to science and technology is also important to success, which is why AT&T collaborates closely with student STEM programs and industry initiatives, including Girl Scouts cybersecurity programs for 6th-8th grade students. AT&T teams travel to universities and colleges to give “tech talks” to the next generation of passionate engineers. 
 
By providing these types of opportunities for relationship-building and education, AT&T is making space for more women to enter the tech industry. And that extends further into AT&T as well. Across the company, teams have worked tirelessly to address the gender gap in tech by prioritizing diversity in hiring practices and giving women opportunities to raise their voices.
A lot has changed in the past twenty years ago, but there is still work to be done. During Women’s History Month, it is imperative to encourage, educate, and empower women to make an impact in tech and beyond. This is what Progress with Purpose looks like at AT&T.
Celebrating Our Women Leaders
“As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it’s important to recognize and celebrate the women leaders we have on our Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce team. These women are making a significant impact on our community, and we are fortunate to have them on our team. Let’s celebrate these women and all the amazing things they are accomplishing on behalf of our Chamber and region.” – Tim Daman, President & CEO, LRCC
  • Sarah Bakken, Talent Development Manager 
  • Amanda Matelonek, Multimedia Specialist
  • Michelle Rahl, Vice President of Membership and Marketing
  • Marcy Rzepka, Senior Member Relations Manager
  • Mandy Schmitz, Director of Administrative Operations
  • Kelsey Teribery, Marketing Manager
  • Ashlee Willis, Lead of Events & Programming
Important March Observations & Celebrations
Month-long Observances

  • Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
  • Ethnic Equality Month
  • Gender Equality Month
  • Greek-American Heritage Month
  • Irish-American Heritage Month
  • National Colon Cancer Awareness Month
  • National Kidney Month
  • National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness and Education Month
  • National Women’s History Month

Important DE&I Calendar Dates

  • March 3: Employee Appreciation Day
  • March 6: Purim (Jewish)
  • March 8: International Women’s Day
  • March 8: Holi (Hindu)
  • March 14: Pi π Day
  • March 15: Equal Pay Day
  • March 17: St. Patrick’s Day
  • March 21: World Down Syndrome Day
  • March 21: Persian New Year (Nowruz)
  • March 23: Ramadan begins (Islam)
  • March 23: International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
  • March 31: International Transgender Day of Visibility
2023 DEI Executive Roundtable Empowers Leaders to Enact Social Change & Strengthen Organizations
Facilitated by Dr. Tonya Bailey, founder of TCB Consulting, Inc., and chief diversity officer at Lansing Community College, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) is inviting you to participate in the 2023 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Executive Roundtable.
 
The DEI Executive Roundtable offers an intimate setting for CEOs, senior-level business leaders and small business owners to discuss confidentiality, share advice, learn best practices, equity tools and approaches in strengthening DEI within their organizations. This program has been designed to equip business leaders with the skill sets required to successfully navigate these areas of uncertainty and position executives to have transformational success through a DEI lens.
 
The DEI Executive Roundtable is a 12-month program designed to prepare leaders to implement social change within their organizations, enhance their role as inclusive leaders, and provide substantial business growth and success tools. This commitment comes with an investment of $2,000.
DEI Executive Roundtable training topics include:
 
  • Core DEI and cultural concepts
  • Addressing inequalities and shaping business practices
  • Building an effective business equity framework
  •  Implementing a people-first DEI strategy and framework
  • Recruitment, retention and rethinking DEI in the workforce
DEI Executive Roundtable dates:
 
  • April 25
  • May 30
  • June 27
  • July 25
  • Aug. 29
  • Sept. 26
  • Oct. 31
  • Nov. 28
  •  Dec. 19
  • Jan. 23
  • Feb. 27
  • March 26
To apply to be a part of the DEI Executive Roundtable, please submit a letter as to why you like to participate in the program and fill out the application below. The application deadline is Friday, March 24 by 5 p.m.
February DEI Series Focuses on Building Inclusive & Accessible Workspaces
During the February DEI Series, the Lansing Regional Chamber was joined by a panel of experts to learn more about how to build inclusive and accessible workspaces hosted at Peckham Inc.

Thank you to our panelists for taking the time to share their insights and engage in such an informative discussion. Panelists included Justin Caine, visionary & co-founder, Good Fruit Video; Meegan Winters, co-founder & CEO, AbleVu; Sarah George, director of mission initiatives, Peckham Inc., and our discussion moderator Anna Warbach, MA, CRC, business relations consultant, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

Important highlights from the panelists' conversation include:
 
  • Disability is diversity and should be a key component of workplace diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA).
 
  • Some employers have reservations related to the costs of needed job accommodations. These concerns are largely unfounded. Research conducted by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) reveals that the majority of workplace accommodations cost nothing. Of those that do incur a cost, the typical expense is $500. Moreover, many accommodations improve the workplace for all employees.
 
  • Sourcing qualified candidates with disabilities doesn’t have to be challenging, thanks to the many organizations and resources supporting disability employment. Michigan Rehabilitation Services and non-profit organizations specializing in disability employment are two examples of available partners who can help employers hire qualified candidates with disabilities and who can also provide disability awareness training and other workplace support.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Series: Everyday Practices for Creating a Culture of Inclusion and Belonging

Date & Time: Wednesday, April 26 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.
Overview: Led by Dr. Vernon A Woodley, Ph.D., diversity, equity, and inclusion specialist, Lansing Board of Water & Light, attendees will begin by defining what diversity, equity, and inclusion means. Next, Dr. Woodley will articulate why DEI matters to every organization. Finally, the program will close by identifying and explicating 12 everyday actions that every employee can take to help create a culture of inclusion in their workplace.
What We're Reading
Visit the LRCC DEI website for the latest news, important updates and resources.
Follow Us On Social!