Free membership program seeks to combat racial inequity, promote inclusiveness
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A group of local organizations has launched a free membership program designed to advance racial equity among businesses in central Indiana. Business Equity for Indy (BEI) says the program gives businesses an opportunity to address racial disparities and unlock what it calls the immense potential that diversity and inclusion can bring.
Stacia Murphy, senior vice president of enterprise development at the Indy Chamber, said members will have access to a vast network of companies that are on the same journey toward a more equitable operation.
“You get to share in some of the knowledge and the peer learning that happens there, the best practices and in some cases, you actually can join some sort of activation,” Murphy said. “For instance, [we have] the procurement roundtable, which invites all central Indiana corporations and organizations who want to increase their supplier diversity programs.”
BEI is a joint venture between the Indy Chamber and the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, in collaboration with the Indianapolis Urban League. The group’s goal is to build a more inclusive business climate and build greater economic opportunity for the region’s Black residents and people of color.
Murphy said having a diverse and equitable workforce is beneficial for a company’s bottom line.
“We know when there is more diversity, and there is more inclusion and belonging within these places to work that they tend to do better because they are employing and drawing from the perspectives of the entire community they serve,” she said.
BEI said by becoming a member, businesses can actively address inequity by making specific commitments, such as providing data on their workforce, procurement practices and public policy advocacy, and publicly sharing their progress as a collective business community to demonstrate that inclusion is a key component of their organization’s strategy.
The program has two membership tiers, both of which are free, that have different participation requirements that focus on advancing BEI’s three pillars: People, Procurement, and Policy.
“There is tremendous power in having multiple organizations committing to BEI membership and its goal to foster a more inclusive business environment,” Tony Mason, president and CEO of Indianapolis Urban League, said in written remarks. “Not only does it send the right message to employees, but it builds up the region as a place that cares about a more equitable future.”
Murphy said the early feedback on the program has been extremely positive. BEI was formed in the fall of 2020, and she said the organization has been receiving inquiries since then from companies on how they could engage or become members.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t have a mechanism until we launched this campaign for other companies to really join in the fight, and now we’re at that level,” she said. “We’ve had to hold people for a while and say, ‘We’re almost ready,’ and now we’re here.”
Murphy said participants will see the benefits of a more inclusive and equitable workforce but also in their supply chain as well.
You can learn more about the membership program by clicking here.