Greater Cleveland Partnership Offers Equity & Inclusion Assessments

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Starting Feb. 1, the Greater Cleveland Partnership is offering businesses in northeastern Ohio organizational assessments of equity and inclusion.

An annual project, the program follows President Joe Biden’s executive orders aimed at improving racial equity in the federal government. While the Greater Cleveland Partnership’s effort is aimed at private organizations, previous assessments have found people of color are underrepresented in regional business leadership.

“Reflecting back on the events of this past year, employers want to do more to create more equitable and inclusive environments. This is the first step in the process – building an awareness of current practices, climate and data,” said Brian Hall, Greater Cleveland Partnership’s vice president of equity and inclusion, in a statement.

Last year, a record 158 employers took part in the assessment, receiving immediate feedback and suggested resources for strategic planning of internal diversity, equity and inclusion. 

Among participating organizations, 25% of the workforce was Black, compared to 13% of senior management and 17% of board members. Small businesses better represented people of color in upper management, though fell behind in representation among the total workforce compared to medium- and large-sized companies.

Businesses and nonprofits in northeastern Ohio can register for the assessment starting Feb. 1 at THIS WEBSITE.

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Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.