By Lexie Blakeman
News Editor
The Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce set up a webinar on Feb. 4 for a thought-provoking conversation with global and local leaders who are paving the way for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
“In terms of what DEI means to me, I like to reference this South African way of being ‘I am because we are’”, said South Bay Magazine Guest Editor Tanya Monaghan. “The idea behind it is that we are all responsible for each person in our community and if one person suffers then we are all suffering.”
This event was co-hosted by Chamber of Commerce Inclusion Committee members Kelly Stroman and Tamala Lewis and featured panelists Jen Fenton, Olivia V.G. Clarke, Cobi Jones and Tanya Monaghan. Fenton worked for a disability rights organization that sued cities, school districts and jails for not providing access and equality to their clients. Clarke is a student activist, author of number one Amazon bestseller and also serves as a leader on her school’s Diversity Executive Board. Jones is a sports broadcaster working with FOX Sports and US Soccer Hall of Fame Inductee.
“Everyone has their own view of what diversity, equity and inclusion look like in their lives,” said Jones. “For me it is making sure that there is a representation of what this country looks like at every level in our community, whether it be school, a business or a social activity.”
The Inclusion Committee is comprised of 12 members and meets weekly. They work to identify opportunities to ensure the Chamber of Commerce’s programming and practices are fair and provide progressive recommendations to ensure that the Chamber of Commerce champions all sectors of the business community.
“For me, diversity, equity and inclusion means creating environments that mirror America, and it also means breaking down the systemic barriers that America was founded on to create more equitable environments, whether that is in schools or work environments,” said Clarke.
The panelists each advocate for inclusion in each of their sectors of life. Clarke believes that to continue important conversations regarding diversity, equity and inclusion and to be an advocate for unity in the community is the most important thing we can be doing right now. By encouraging unity, the event is inspiring unconscious bias awareness, neurodiversity, inclusion, thoughtful conversations and youth education and development according to Stroman. Fenton believes that awareness is the key to making fundamental changes in society and advocacy for everyone to be given the same opportunities to succeed.
“We have a leadership team within our inclusion committee that truly believes that a deep assessment as to where some of the root problems are and where there are areas with room for improvement is critical for our success in making a real change in our community,” said Fenton.
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