Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

A Dedicated Focus on Economic Inclusion

GAC-DEI-logo

Equity and inclusion are economic imperatives for this region and every company within it.

Understanding the gaps for inclusion in our organization and among our business initiatives, the GAC created an Equity and Inclusion Leadership Committee that includes members from companies of all sizes, with key representatives and decision makers that have been working with us to guide new work in this area.

GAC-DEI-logo

Equity and inclusion are economic imperatives for this region and every company within it.

Understanding the gaps for inclusion in our organization and among our business initiatives, the GAC created an Equity and Inclusion Leadership Committee that includes members from companies of all sizes, with key representatives and decision makers that have been working with us to guide new work in this area.

WNLI-Icon
Women’s Network Leadership Institute

________

Get connected to network of professional women

  
DEI-Toolkit-Icon
DEI
Toolkit

________

Learn how we can
advance your DEI work

  
DEI-Toolkit-Icon
DEI
Toolkit

________

Learn how we can advance your DEI work

  
Inclusion-Marketplace-Icon
Inclusion
Marketplace

________

Access diverse suppliers and
diversify your procurement

  
Inclusion-Marketplace-Icon
Inclusion
Marketplace

________

Access diverse suppliers and diversify your procurement

  
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Hear More
About DEI

________

Stay connected to
our DEI work

  
WNLI
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Get connected to network of
professional women

Women’s Network Leadership Institute
DEI Toolkit
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Learn how we can advance your DEI work

DEI Toolkit
Inclusion Marketplace
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Access diverse suppliers and diversify your procurement

Inclusion Marketplace
More about DEI
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Stay connected to our DEI work

Hear More About DEI
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DEI TOOLKIT

The Greater Akron Chamber has developed tools, resources, and support that you can leverage in those efforts.

Whether you’re just starting out or you have been working in this space for a while, we can help advance your work. Utilizing an assessment tool, an action plan development tool, conversation cohorts, and a DEI resource tool, we have created accessible and specific tools for you and your organization.

And, no matter where you are in your DEI journey – from early exploration to fine-tuning specific processes—we can help! Like in any other important business strategy, long-term success and sustainable progress require a plan and specific action steps.

DEI TOOLKIT

The Greater Akron Chamber has developed tools, resources, and support that you can leverage in those efforts.

Whether you’re just starting out or you have been working in this space for a while, we can help advance your work. Utilizing an assessment tool, an action plan development tool, conversation cohorts, and a DEI resource tool, we have created accessible and specific tools for you and your organization.

And, no matter where you are in your DEI journey – from early exploration to fine-tuning specific processes—we can help! Like in any other important business strategy, long-term success and sustainable progress require a plan and specific action steps.

THE SOLUTION

We will help in three ways:

  • 1 Help Assess: We will help a company assess where they at are at in their journey, what the best first step in our process is for them and give guidance on what resources to leverage to get there. 
  • 2 Provide Resources: Next, we will provide a wide range of resources for companies to leverage throughout the process: an assessment, an action plan builder, and a DEI resource library with links and videos on crucial topics to assist in education and implementation.
  • 3 Deliver Tailored Guidance: Lastly, we will provide the opportunity to get more tailored advice from other members that are also working in this arena and from the GAC’s own Opportunity and Inclusion team.
The-Solution
Provide-Resources
PROVIDE RESOURCES

Equity and Inclusion Assessment

We partner with the Greater Cleveland Partnership to provide a regional comprehensive inclusion assessment to Greater Akron businesses. For most companies, we believe this assessment will be the recommended starting point for your work. Understanding how your efforts compare to others like you for board and leadership diversity, staff diversity, and procurement diversity, you can set goals and build a plan to move forward.

  • 1 This assessment is available to take year-round. It assesses your company practices in detail to help you understand where the DEI gaps are in your organization and gives you access to a best practices database that can help shape your work.
  • 2 This assessment is meant to be taken annually to measure your progress over time.
  • 3 The assessment is completely confidential. Your status and efforts will never be identified with your company outside of the specific report that only you will receive that marks your position vs. others in your industry or of similar size.
Begin the Organization Assessment
THE SOLUTION

We will help in three ways:

  • 1 Help Assess: We will help a company assess where they at are at in their journey, what the best first step in our process is for them and give guidance on what resources to leverage to get there. 
  • 2 Provide Resources: Next, we will provide a wide range of resources for companies to leverage throughout the process: an assessment, an action plan builder, and a DEI resource library with links and videos on crucial topics to assist in education and implementation.
  • 3 Deliver Tailored Guidance: Lastly, we will provide the opportunity to get more tailored advice from other members that are also working in this arena and from the GAC’s own Opportunity and Inclusion team.
The-Solution
Provide-Resources
PROVIDE RESOURCES

Equity and Inclusion Assessment

We partner with the Greater Cleveland Partnership to provide a regional comprehensive inclusion assessment to Greater Akron businesses. For most companies, we believe this assessment will be the recommended starting point for your work. Understanding how your efforts compare to others like you for board and leadership diversity, staff diversity, and procurement diversity, you can set goals and build a plan to move forward.

  • 1 This assessment is available to take year-round. It assesses your company practices in detail to help you understand where the DEI gaps are in your organization and gives you access to a best practices database that can help shape your work.
  • 2 This assessment is meant to be taken annually to measure your progress over time.
  • 3 The assessment is completely confidential. Your status and efforts will never be identified with your company outside of the specific report that only you will receive that marks your position vs. others in your industry or of similar size.
Begin the Organization Assessment

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

DEI-Guide

Take the next step with your business today with our free guide

Download the DEI Support Process Guide here

INCLUSION MARKETPLACE

The Inclusion Marketplace facilitates connections between buyers and suppliers. Minority and women-owned suppliers will have the opportunity to view projects, events and contracts posted by buyers in the region and bid on those that align with the services and products they offer.

INCLUSION MARKETPLACE

The Inclusion Marketplace facilitates connections between buyers and suppliers. Minority and women-owned suppliers will have the opportunity to view projects, events and contracts posted by buyers in the region and bid on those that align with the services and products they offer.