Page 51 - FDI Alliance International Magazine. Winter 2020 Digital Interactive Issue.

do not have the same experience when working
to integrate into Western, European rooted
societies and cultures. Their visible differences
have kept them at arm’s length and at the back
of the line, watching opportunities pass them
by. Racism and exclusionary practices have not
only marginalized people of color, women, and
ethnic minorities, but their exclusion has been
detrimental to the global economy. Just because
we cannot measure their absence, does not
take away all that we have lost. Whether we
realize it or not, their exclusion has impacted
what could have been.

Think about Steve Jobs, the son of a Syrian
immigrant, born in the U.S. and adopted by
white, American parents. If Jobs had been
raised by his father, what would his track in
life have been? With perhaps a less privileged
upbringing, would he have been exposed to
computers at a young age and would those
interests have been nurtured? Would he have
faced racism for being Syrian or perhaps for
practicing a different religion? Would he still
have risen to create Apple and become a
founding father of the tech generation?
STRENGTHENING ECONOMIES WITH IDEAS AND INNOVATION: Think about the thousands of Steve Jobs out there,

who did not reach their full potential because
MAKING THE CASE FOR DIVERSITY they faced adversity at the hands of racism
and exclusionary practices. Obviously, there
are moral reasons why racism is abhorrent, but
thinking about it from an economic development
perspective, think about what communities and element of our work should include more The bottom line is that our differences should
economies around the world have missed out on outreach to immigrants, so they too can be bring us together to make something stronger,
because we did not do more to support diversity, part of the economic engine and on the path not create barriers or exclusionary practices.
If there was ever a case study for the benefits of the process. If we were all the same, think about ethic and a belief in education and the notion equity, and inclusion in our societies. to achieving their dreams or perhaps solving
diversity and how diversity, equity and inclusion how boring the world would be. These different that education was the key to achieving the the riddle of cancer – we can only imagine The collision of different perspectives and the
positively impact an economy, it is the United points of reference which comprise who we American Dream and economic advancement. As people, we have a moral obligation to be what could be. fulfillment of potential fuels economies. It is
States itself. Of course, the U.S. is not perfect, are as individuals, create a massive collision They achieved their dream and with the next inclusive and as economic developers, we have up to all of us in the economic development
but it is moving in the right direction, with an of ideas and innovation, and yes, sometimes generation that followed, their accents were a professional obligation to do more to support The benefits of supporting diversity, equity, community to think deeply about diversity,
upswell in societal support for sweeping civil racism and exclusion. lost and the only thing tying them to Ireland diversity, equity, and inclusionary practices in all inclusivity, AND immigrants include: inclusion and equity and make the strategic
rights reforms and the evaluation of norms when was their name, a few distant relatives, and faint that we do. We must do more to support small decision to address these issues we have in our
it comes to being an inclusive society. When my grandparents immigrated to the U.S. bits of Irish culture that were most dominant in business, minority businesses, and do more to • Helping to build a more dynamic econ- communities as part of our overall strategic
from Ireland, they were part of America’s labor domestic life. ensure that minorities are part of the equation omy Innovation and entrepreneurship planning. We need actionable plans and
Long known as being one of the world’s most class. My grandfather worked in construction and in our workforce. There are a lot of minds out • Breathing new life into rural communities bringing it a bit further, we should encourage
prolific sources of ideas and invention, diversity my grandmother was a maid in a household in The Irish story is an important distinction to make there with potential and part of our job should and Main Street the companies operating in our communities
of culture, race, and religion have been the Boston. They brought with them a strong work because people of color and different religions be to create pathways, so we do not lose another • Access to a more skilled and qualified to do the same.
key ingredients in America’s innovation “secret potential Steve Jobs or immigrant entrepreneurs workforce Our communities, our companies, and our
sauce”. This democratic experiment of a country and people of color who are investing and economies will become more prosperous and
has attracted people from every corner of the creating jobs in our communities. • A diverse workforce drives economic increasingly innovative and interesting if we
growth
world, all vying to be part of the “American support everyone’s pursuit of education, gainful
Dream” and the melting pot that is America. Taking this all a bit farther, we also need to do • Diversity in the workforce fosters a more employment, and their path to the American
Immigration, diversity, perspectives, and the more to support immigration and citizens new creative and innovative workforce Dream. It is time to put diversity, equity, and
differences we all bring with us, foster a sense to our shores. Part of the equity and inclusion inclusion on the top of the “to do” list.
of curiosity, dreams, and drive that has fueled
the U.S. economic engine. Diversity is America’s
secret sauce, and the most important elements
of diversity are the differences themselves. Color, → SHIRAR O’CONNOR Vice President of Marketing, AdvanceCT
race, sexual orientation, gender, culture, religion,
foreign born; the things that make people Shirar O’Connor is an economic development professional with over 28 NEW YORK OFFICE
unique, inspire them to create. years of experience working with national, regional, and local governments
from around the world. She is the Vice President of Marketing for AdvanceCT +1 646 496 7668
Our varying perspectives, vantage points, and and a founding partner of Underpinned, a New York-based marketing soconnor@advancect.org
cultures create the friction, which produces the firm specializing in foreign direct investment and business retention and
energy and spark that pushes us all to achieve expansion services. Shirar O’Connor-Mugler
and reach higher. It is not always perfect, and For more information about Underpinned, visit www.underpinnedinc.com .
it is not always pretty, but the friction is part of

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