Letter from the President

TWelcome to The Diversity Collegium website.  We are glad you are here. Originally formed on the premise that we can do more together than alone, The Diversity Collegium shares a vision to tap into the power of our diversity and inclusion to transform the spirits, hearts and minds of societies, organizations and individuals to positively impact the quality of life for all human beings.  Our membership is comprised of individuals who represent a variety of fields, disciplines, industries and sectors as well as across dimensions of Diversity. 

Go to full article

GDIB moves to a new organization and a new website!

The GDIB is moving to a new home, The Centre for Global Inclusion, a new nonprofit entity incorporated July 5, 2017. The Global Diversity & Inclusion Benchmarks: Standards for Organizations Around the World (GDIB) and all related tools and materials will become part of that new entity along with many other services that will help meet The Centre’s new mission: to serve as a resource for research and education for individuals and organizations in their quest to improve diversity and inclusion practices around the world.

Go to full article

Collegium Member Sidalia Reel Received Award at UC Berkeley

Sidalia (Sid) Reel, director of Staff Diversity Initiatives under the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Equity & Inclusion at the University of California, Berkeley, received the Chancellor’s Outstanding Staff Award on April 27, 2017.

Go to full article

New survey: We invite you to participate in research on ethical decision-making

Collegium member Alan Richter is announcing a new research effort. The Project Management Institute (PMI) has partnered with QED Consulting (Alan’s firm) to create a survey to explore global responses to ethical issues and dilemmas, and examine the influence of culture as well as gender, age, education, profession, etc., on ethical decision-making.

Go to full article

Dr. David Stovall speaks to the Diversity Collegium

Dr. David Stovall, professor of African American Studies and Educational Policy Studies at the University of Illinois-Chicago spoke to Collegium members at their May 2016 meeting in Chicago.

Go to full article

PRESS RELEASE: "We've Learned What Works:" Diversity Collegium Sponsors Inclusion Benchmarks

How does an organization know if its D&I program will show results in today's sometimes contentious multicultural climate? Ninety- seven experts from organizations of all sizes, types, industries, sectors, and locations have reached agreement on what makes for success in Global Diversity and Inclusion Benchmarks: Standards for Organizations Around the World (GDIB), and are making it available at no cost.

Go to full article

Diversity Collegium Emeritus member wins Winds of Change award

Published 3.7.16

Mary-Frances Winters, Diversity Collegium Emeritus member, has been named as the 2016 Winds of Change awardee in the individual category by the Forum on Workplace Inclusion. The individual award goes to a person who meets the qualifications of "changing lives, organizations and communities," and will be presented at the Forum’s annual conference, March 29-30, 2016, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Go to full article

Diversity Collegium Members, Julie O'Mara and Alan Richter, make The Economist's Global Diversity List

Julie O'Mara and Alan Richter have been recognized as two of the Top 50 Diversity Professionals in Industry, a category in the inaugural Global Diversity List 2015, supported by The Economist. (#globaldiversitylist and @DiversityList).

Go to full article

Three New GDIB User Tools Now Available on the Diversity Collegium Site

Many people around the world are using the GDIB to help them set strategy and assess progress as they identify the level they are on in each of the 13 categories and then set goals to attain the higher levels — or sustain the current level -—in each of categories. The Expert Panelists and users continue to ask for tools — handouts, activities, slides, programs and so forth --- that they can use with the GDIB. Authors Julie O’Mara and Alan Richter continue to provide new tools and encourage others to share. Also see the Past GDIB Newsletters as they are filled with ideas and other helpful information about the D&I profession.

Go to User Tools

Diversity Collegium welcomes five new members

Published 6.24.15

The Diversity Collegium welcomed five new members at its November 2014 meeting in New Vernon, New Jersey. The five new members are: Melanie Harrington, Jacqueline Reza, Ilene Wasserman, Michael Wheeler, Catherine Wong. Each of our new members bring a wealth of experiences and perspectives to the work of The Diversity Collegium. Here’s a glimpse of their backgrounds: Go to full article…

New Projects and Fundraising Committee formed for the Global Diversity & Inclusion Benchmarks (GDIB)

Published 10.18.14

The Diversity Collegium has formed a GDIB Collegium Projects and Fundraising Committee to begin raising funds to support the growing needs regarding the increasing use of the GDIB tool. The Committee combines the talents of both GDIB Expert Panelists and Collegium members (Judy Greevy, Steve Hanamura, Kelli McLoud-Schingen, Nene Molefi, Julie O'Mara, Adam Travis). The Committee determined in its first meeting that it needs additional expertise in fund raising - from anything from a quick phone call to offer suggestions to actively seeking funds. Please contact Julie O'Mara if you can help. The committee also focused on getting grounded with its plan and will be setting criteria for projects and putting out a Request for Proposals to everyone who receives the GDIB newsletter. The goal is to stimulate more user tools and research related to the GDIB. The Committee will then seek funding to support those wanting to create user tools and conduct GDIB-related research. The Collegium is a nonprofit organization. For more information about the need for funds and how to donate, go to our Donation page.

Collegium Emeritus member, Steve Hanamura, makes headlines!

Published 10.18.14

The most recent headline in the Portland, Oregon, USA paper: Blind Runner, Steve Hanamura, Will Compete in 2014 Providence Hood to Coast Relay for the 23rd Year ... Steve, who is co-founder of the relay team of 12 runners plus Steve's sighted guide, and uses a bungee cord to connect him with his guide, is quoted in the article as saying, "When I am running we both must pay attention to detail and timing of giving and receiving instructions. Once I receive those instructions I must do what I'm told, when I am told to do it ...'step up, step down, single file," says Hanamura. "Running with a guide is about trust, leadership, followership and being part of something bigger than oneself." This year Steve is pleased that the team has runners from six decades. The youngest is 23 and the oldest is 72. Steve says that it's not only great fun to be part of a multigenerational effort, but a significant learning for all. "The differences can work for all when we all focus on the same goal and work together to achieve it," Steve says. And the name of the team? I Hurt, You Hurt, We All Hurt. And they keep running. The Hood to Coast Relay draws about 20,000 runners and walkers from all 50 U.S. States and 35 countries. Time to run the race depends on runner capability and traffic patterns. This year it took Steve's team 32 hours and they came in 870th place out of 1,050 teams. The legs run vary from 4 to 8 hours. Congratulations, Steve!

Mandate Molefi named a top gender empowered company in South Africa

Published 10.18.14

Collegium member, Nene Molefi's firm, Mandate Molefi, was recently recognized by TOP WOMEN in Business & Government publication in South Africa. The recognition is the result of scores on a benchmarking and ranking report based on stringent criteria. Just over 25 percent of companies qualified. The recognition said in part: "Compelling research supports the idea that the employment and empowerment of women in any business is beneficial for that organization. However not everyone sees the value they offer; there is a stigma in some organizations that show a reluctance to promote women and offer lower wages than their male counterparts." Congratulations, Nene!

Diversity Collegium launches its sponsorship of the Global Diversity and Inclusion Benchmarks

Published 2.26.14

The Diversity Collegium is extraordinarily pleased to become the first and primary sponsor of the Global Diversity and Inclusion Benchmarks: Standards for Organizations Around the World, co-authored by Julie O'Mara, Collegium Emeritus member and Alan Richter, Collegium member along with 80 Expert Panelists. 

As organizations and societies strive to create inclusive environments and approaches, a tool such as the GDIB provides important information, guidance, and support. 

The Collegium launched its sponsorship at the 7th Annual Diversity and Inclusion Seminar in Barcelona, Spain, February 20-12, 2014. Several other conference presentations on the GDIB are scheduled. More info on these conferences here.

Read more about this launch here…

In Memoriam: Collegium honors the contributions of one of its founders, Dr. R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr.

DECATUR, GA: Dr. R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr., D.B.A, a founding member of the Diversity Collegium, and considered one of the founders of the field that has come to be known as Diversity and Inclusion, died suddenly on May 17, 2013. The funeral was held Friday, May 24, which would have been his 69th birthday, at the Friendship Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. A reception for Dr. Thomas' professional colleagues was held on Friday evening, May 24, at Morehouse College, the Kilgore Building in Atlanta. (See obituaries: Carl M. Williams Funeral Directors website; Atlanta Journal Constitution website:http://bit.ly/17VOMCa)

A Tribute to Dr. R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr. From The Diversity Collegium

R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr. D.B.A.

May 24, 1944 - May 17, 2013

Upon the passing of Dr. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr., the Diversity Collegium profoundly mourns the loss of one of its founding members. He was a seminal figure in assisting organizations and those who lead and manage them realize the power of strategic diversity management. His work and the originality of the seven books he wrote were highly instrumental in giving intellectual form and structure to the diversity movement from its inception to the present day. He was a mentor, friend and colleague to many and an inspiration to countless others. Despite an always-busy schedule, his many contributions helped the Diversity Collegium grow from a collection of interested professionals into a respected international organization.

Read the full tribute and tribute comments.

In Honor of Dr. R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr., Founder of Diversity Management

Download the full Press Release about Dr. R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr.

Diversity Collegium honors Price Cobbs, M.D., Founding Member Emeritus at its November 2012 meeting