Workplace diversity becoming more important, Raleigh business leaders say

Six hundred people filled the Raleigh Convention Center on Friday to talk about diversity in the workplace, which organizers said is becoming an increasingly important issue.

The second-annual conference was hosted by the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and partners in the business community because, sponsors say, diversity, equity and inclusion are good for business.

"You don’t want to be operating in an echo chamber where you’re not tapping into different ways that people are thinking, evaluating information, considering products," said Adreienne Cole, the chamber's president and chief executive.

Studies have shown that diverse businesses are more successful and more profitable than those that are not diverse. Yet, diversity isn't always easy for businesses to achieve – or even to have a conversation about.

"The reality is, we were all socialized a certain way," said Danya Perry, who leads a diversity initiative for the chamber. "You have to challenge yourself. You have to challenge your belief systems."

"Talent does not know geography. Talent does not know circumstances. But sometimes opportunities are limited," said Scott Ralls, president of Wake Technical Community College. "I think this is an important conversation to be had by our chamber of commerce and by our region.

Wake Tech prides itself on inclusivity, Ralls said. The next generation workforce will be more diverse, so workplaces need to be welcoming, he said.

"It's beyond a social issue. It's beyond about what we should do. It's also economic for us," he said. "This is about the talent conversation. It's about the skills conversation. It's about how do we make sure we're tapping, broadly, talent from everywhere."