Page 43 - FDI Alliance International Magazine. Winter 2020 Digital Interactive Issue.

development, and access to technology and the global cultures represented heavily across Greater cultural understanding and different
innovation to support career readiness. They’ve the state, with cultural performances and perspectives enrich our lives and our business
challenged others to support with matching gifts. demonstrations, and through monuments, communities. Georgia is home to more than
museums, historical markers, and living legends. 700,000 residents born outside the U.S. and
Atlanta-based Fortune 500 company and global Museums focused specifically on civil rights and approximately 70 foreign governments, and
force Delta Air Lines is one of the founding the struggle that ensued to make them a reality we’re grateful for the contributions these
companies of OneTen, an organization that for all Americans are located in urban and rural communities make.
will combine the power of 37 major American areas alike, keeping these ideals front of mind.
companies – many with a Georgia presence – to These are only a small handful of ways Georgia
recruit, hire, train and advance 1 million Black The striking National Center for Civil and absorbs diversity as part of its We Speak Business
Americans over the next 10 years into sustaining Human Rights in the center of Atlanta connects culture, and we see this intentional growth as
jobs with opportunities for advancement. the American civil rights movement to today’s the way to a healthier, more productive, future.
global human rights movements. And if you
With history as a guide and the future constantly visit the Albany Civil Rights Institute in southwest
in our sights, like Delta, we will only keep Georgia, you may catch a powerful performance
climbing. by the Freedom Singers, another legacy of the
region’s history.
Georgia’s new Partnership for Inclusive
Innovation, a first-of-its-kind public-private We’re also home to Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta,
partnership, is leading coordinated, statewide a worldwide household name. The studio was
efforts to encourage growth, entrepreneurship one of the first back up and running after the
and innovation across the state. Its guiding COVID-19 hiatus with new protocols and a
principles include guaranteeing underserved “bubble” in place to keep cast and crew safe
Georgians’ equitable access to resources and while in production. We have been home to the ABBY TURANO
opportunities, particularly for those in rural and first Latino-owned film studio, Areu Brothers, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER,
minority communities. and minority-owned digital media company, MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS AND
RYSE Creative Village, recently announced that INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT
Since taking office in 2018, Georgia Governor they will redevelop a historic school space in
Brian P. Kemp has also been in regular southwest Atlanta and transform it into a brand-
■ The state of Georgia’s diverse and highly skilled workforce, in a multitude of industries, remains a key driver in the state’s economy ATurano@Georgia.org
communication with civic leaders statewide new dynamic content production studio and
to determine where policies may need review development incubator.
and to engage in open a dialogue focused on
DIVERSITY KEY TO STATE OF GEORGIA’S SUCCESS constant progress in creating opportunities for
all people in the state.

In the State of Georgia, diversity and inclusion is For instance, inspired by Dr. King, a group of (HBCUs): Morehouse College and Spellman To that end, Georgia has also passed historic
not just a talking point. It’s part of our business Georgia business leaders in the early 1970s College, and others that are educating our future legislation to combat hate crimes, enhance
community and culture. It’s an essential part saw the need to support minority suppliers leaders. The Georgia Institute of Technology public safety and ensure that justice is served
of our “We Speak Business” reputation and working their way into corporate supply chains. hosts the most diverse college of engineering in for all Georgians – regardless of race, gender,
actions that recognize any number of needs They established the Atlanta Regional Minority the U.S., known for graduating the most women religion, nationality, or sexual orientation. This
felt by a business and the incredible people Purchasing Council (ARMPC), which created a and underrepresented minority engineers. Each measure is another way that Georgia puts
who make it up. set of standards for identifying, engaging and year, Georgia’s nationally ranked accredited progress ahead of politics and helps ensure
utilizing minority suppliers in projects across the public and private universities award more than that the state remains a place where all people
We’re the cradle of the civil rights movement, metro Atlanta region. The council was successful 132,000 degrees and certificates to qualified can live, learn, and prosper.
and you don’t have to look far in the capital city in influencing the evolution of supplier diversity, graduates of a variety of backgrounds and
of Atlanta or anywhere in the State of Georgia as evidenced by unprecedented levels of minority circumstances who are ready to enter the Our international communities are large and
to feel the effects of this movement, or to see participation in corporate procurement and workforce. vibrant, too, and play an important role in
the role it plays in our everyday lives. major projects, both public and private. our state’s community and economy. Census
Eventually the organization reached across the The Harvard Business Review recently described estimates show that nearly 10% of our state’s ■ Filming of Georgia-lensed CW series, “Black Lightning”
The lessons Georgians learned firsthand from entire state. Georgia as a target state for tech companies population is Hispanic or Latino, and the city of
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. continue to resonate. to establish recruitment strategies for workforce Atlanta’s Diversity Index is four percentage points
Living legends who walked with him still provide Later renamed the Georgia Minority Supplier diversification, naming Atlanta as a “hotbed higher than the national average.
leadership and inspiration as we carry out his Development Council (GMSDC), this award- of talent from traditionally underrepresented
vision and legacy of all people being treated winning organization now serves nearly 400 communities.” Our Georgia companies, from the Fortune
equally, with access to opportunities across the corporations and more than 700 Minority 500s to our small and medium enterprises,
board. Business Enterprise (MBE) firms. The GMSDC As a complement to our outstanding institutions are intentionally seeking increased diversity,
is one of the top performing and most influential of higher education, Georgia’s HOPE Grant knowing that this will help them create better
In Georgia, economic developers play a unique organizations of its kind in the nation. waives tuition at our 22 state technical colleges products and solutions, attract the best talent,
and important role as providers of hope, thanks for Georgia residents working to develop in- and provide a corporate and community culture
in large part to a business community that The Georgia Department of Economic demand skills like welding, nursing, cybersecurity that welcomes all people.
has traditionally played a key role in pushing Development is a proud affiliate of this and others.
change forward. Stemming all the way from organization and works as a partner to develop And in Georgia, from our arts communities,
the 1960s with Dr. King, Georgia’s business and connect MBEs to our strong corporate And our businesses are working closely with tourism, and film and television production,
community and citizens have a positive history presence in Georgia. these education powerhouses, too. Southern to our leading businesses, we’re seeing an
of working together to advance policies that Company recently announced a $50 million increasing and exciting level of interest in the
make a difference in everyday lives, including Georgia is also home to two of the nation’s top multi-year initiative to provide students attending history, and the civil rights movement living ■ The Georgia Research Alliance, Emory University, Atlanta
those who have historically been marginalized. five Historically Black Colleges and Universities HBCUs with scholarships, internships, leadership around us. We celebrate our diversity, including

43. FDI ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL