The Diversity Imperative

Jim Rotch, the outgoing chairman of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, says the economic effects of racial discrimination are obvious, even if solving the problems they create are not.

"Poverty - this lack of economic parity - is one of the clearest remaining vestiges of racism. I mean, it just doesn't take much observation to see, from a racial standpoint, who has most of the money and who has the least amount," he says.

So why do a disparity study?

"I think because in this day and age, to get money, you have to be able to benchmark things and measure them. A lot of people believe that if you can't measure it, it didn't happen. So it's necessary to be able to measure some of these things," he says.

Rotch is the Birmingham lawyer who penned the now famous Birmingham Pledge, a personal promise to disavow discrimination in all its forms. He says the pledge movement has opened up new discussions about racism and how to erase the remaining vestiges of its legacy.

"There was a time in this community, and in this country, where white business people would not even think about including people of another race in their business," Rotch says. "But we hope to lead by example."

Rotch is partners with Tim Lewis, who is black and owns a technology consulting firm, and with others in Kaleidoscope Productions, Inc. (KPI). It specializes in racial and gender diversity consulting and marketing.

KPI, in conjunction with the Regional Chamber, organized the first annual Birmingham Diversity Summit called "Diversity: Smart Business." It was a larger version of a successful trial run in 2003 that attracted huge corporate support.

"We're trying to create positive dialogue around why diversity is a positive for business community and the community as a whole," Lewis says. "We live in a diverse society, and in order to do that, we have to recognize, appreciate and value the different pieces of that society."

Rotch says the bottom line for businesses is that their workforces need to reflect their changing customer base if they want to successfully compete in the marketplace.

The issue goes well beyond black and white. Already the Hispanic population is a growing force in Birmingham , Alabama , and the nation. It is the fastest growing segment of the American population, primarily through immigration.

Since starting KPI three years ago, Lewis says, more businesses are asking the firm how to market to Hispanics and snag their dollars.

Both Lewis and Rotch believe that Birmingham , because of its place in recent history, can and should show the world how to create economic parity and inclusion for minorities. Unlike many other places in the country where they've traveled, people in Birmingham more openly discuss matters of race and diversity.

And they believe people from other places are more apt to listen and follow what happens in Birmingham when it comes to discussing and solving problems surrounding race and diversity.

"I want, at some point in the future, for Birmingham to be known as the diversity capital of the world," Lewis says, spreading his hands apart wide.

"It's a huge, grandiose idea, but I don't see why we can't accomplish that. Yes, we have a history. But it's a history that, if we use it, we can build upon it. Where better to have a discussion around the issues of diversity than Birmingham ? And if that's the case, why can't we set the example?"

Dr. A.G. Gaston became a millionaire during a time of rabid segregation with little formal education and virtually no access to capital. So why haven't black businesses continued to flourish in the post-Civil Rights era?

That's the question Bob Dickerson and others asked themselves over the years when they contemplated the state of black business in Birmingham .

The statistics tell the story. Blacks make up nearly 30 percent of the Birmingham area's population, yet they own a small sliver of its businesses, and their revenues equal less than 1% of all sales receipts generated in the area.

"The fact is that black business in America is doing poorly. We can say the number of black businesses has grown significantly over the last five to 10 years. But when you analyze the revenue that's being generated by black businesses in all of America , it's woeful, it's pitiful," Dickerson said. "And it's the same way in Birmingham and in Alabama ."

But what concerns Dickerson is that little is being done to address such statistics and the challenges that many black-owned businesses face today. Years ago, he thought of starting an annual conference that made economic empowerment for black businesses a local and national priority.

"It's obvious that some light needs to be shed on the plight of black business and on the need for a conference that focuses on black business," he said.

The first annual A.G. Gaston Economic Empowerment Conference will highlight strategies and opportunities aimed at improving the state of black business. The two-day conference, set for February 22 - 23, 2005 , is called "Green Power: Money in Action."

At the conference, Dickerson said "The State of Black Business in Birmingham " will be unveiled. The status report delves into the reasons why the city has so few businesses and entrepreneurs like Dr. Gaston, and what can be done to address that issue.

The conference's keynote speaker is George C. Fraser, a dynamic motivational speaker and author of several books, including the critically-acclaimed bestseller, Success Runs In Our Race: The Complete Guide to Effective Networking in the African American Community.

"Hopefully, this conference - centered on the extraordinary achievements of Dr. Gaston - can give blacks some encouragement and information that will help them make more progress in their businesses," he said.

Dubbed "Entrepreneur of the Century" by Black Enterprise magazine, Dr. Gaston (1892-1996) was one of the richest black men in America . He overcame poverty and the lack of educational opportunities to become a virtual giant in the world of business and commerce. And Gaston accomplishments came during a period when abject and overt racial discrimination was Birmingham 's way of life.

The conference will hold up Gaston's time-honored principles and practices as encouragement for other blacks who must overcome barriers as they strive to succeed.

Dickerson, executive director of the Birmingham Business Resource Center , is coordinating the event with Gaynelle Adams Jackson of Advanced Planning Services.