Diversity in Lynchburg
While Acumen offers a broad array of services, we specialize in diversity, multiculturalism, inclusion, and poverty dynamics. We are seeking to identify the best places in Lynchburg for diversity, both for employees and for clients/customers. While it is easy to tacitly understand that diversity is important and matters, it is much more difficult to reflect that position in business and organizational practices.
Research is clear that businesses with a commitment to promoting, valuing, respecting, and empowering a diverse workforce:
-
experience more growth than competitors
-
have more satisfied customers/clients and employees
-
recruit more talented candidates for employment
-
receive fewer HR/EEOC complaints
-
are perceived more positively within the community
-
experience returns and profits above industry norms
Acumen understands the demographic and cultural make-up of our community and the need for quality initiatives which promote a climate conducive to the inclusive and culturally diverse populations of Lynchburg and Central Virginia.
What is "diversity" and what does it mean in the context of Lynchburg?
Diversity refers to differences among populations, and what that means in each city and in each workplace will differ. Title VII of The Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects individuals from being discriminated against on the basis of race or color, religion, nationality, or sex (Society for Human Resource Management). Other laws like the Pregnancy Discrimination Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act prevent employers from discriminating against individuals who are pregnant or who have disabilities (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission). However, workplaces and community organizations that have a commitment to equality and fairness seek to embrace a proactive approach to diversity which extends beyond federal mandates. This means actively and thoughtfully creating a cultural climate in the workplace that values the differences among individuals and recognizing the unique contributions they can make to the workplace environment. This includes:
-
People from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds
-
People from different states and regions
-
People who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning
-
People with different family compositions (single parents, foster and adoptive families, LGBTQ+ families, etc.)
-
People with different educational backgrounds
Of note, nearly one out of every four individuals in Lynchburg are living in poverty, and 37% are considered "the working poor" (the Poverty to Progress initiative in Lynchburg).
Acumen understands the demographic and cultural make-up of our community and the need for quality initiatives which promote a climate conducive to the inclusive and culturally diverse populations of Lynchburg and Central Virginia. A commitment to diversity and inclusion reflects a dedication to the City of Lynchburg and the well-being of our community.