History Lessons
Feb 17, 2010 Diversity & Inclusion, Diversity Matters
“Black history is American history,” said Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman five years ago. Black history is more than that; it is World history. Black History Month has always been a good opportunity to revisit U.S. history and learn about the contributions of African Americans to our progress as a nation. But America did not emerge or grow in a vacuum. While the U.S. was still young, other countries of the New World were gaining their own independence. In 1804, Haiti became the world’s first Black-led republic, and the first independent Caribbean state.
Haiti’s initial impact on its neighboring republic was profound. In fact, the Midwestern United States owes its existence in large part to the Haitian Revolution. After the French army failed to quell the slave revolution, Napoleon was both hard-pressed for liquid assets and discouraged from any further plans involving a North American empire. What resulted was the Louisiana Purchase, the groundbreaking sale of 828,800 square miles of France’s Louisiana territory to the U.S. including the land that is now part of 14 current states.
Tags: Diversity Matters
Engaging Diverse Talent
Jan 29, 2010 Diversity & Inclusion, Employee Engagement, Research
The latest Conference Board figures show the lowest level of job satisfaction (45%) since 1987 (when the organization began tracking it). The decades-long decline is reason enough not to lay the blame entirely at the feet of the Great Recession, but layoffs, salary freezes, muddled corporate communications, and the other symptoms that compose Survivor Syndrome can certainly account for some of the recent drop in workplace happiness. But does a gradually reviving job market mean employees are going to become more satisfied in their jobs again or will their bad experiences lead them to look for new employers?
Tags: Diversity Matters
Diversity in January
Jan 14, 2010 Diversity & Inclusion
Diversity celebrations encourage learning, self-examination, and communication, as we embrace other cultures and educate ourselves and others. On January 18, 2010, to commemorate the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., volunteers across the country will do more than that by participating in the MLK Day of Service–from mentoring children in need to serving meals in a homeless shelter. Activities that improve the lives of those in need continue the legacy of Dr. King, who was more than a thinker and orator, he was an activist, and actions speak louder than words.
Observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by employers has continued to rise since the holiday’s inception in 1986. In its first year only 14% of employers gave paid time off, while in 2009 that number rose to 31%. According to a survey by the Bureau of National Affairs (BNA) 50% of non-business organizations give MLK DAY as a paid holiday, compared to one-quarter (28%) of nonmanufacturing firms and 9% of manufacturers.
Tags: Diversity Matters