Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

As Downriver’s premier business organization, the SWCRC strongly values all people of all backgrounds, regardless of race, color, gender, and creed. The SWCRC is committed to fostering an environment of understanding, empathy, respect, and equality that will provide equal opportunity for all. The SWCRC believes that action must be taken to realize a movement toward greater equality of opportunity within the Downriver region. The Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber is proud to partner with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and chambers from across the country on a national initiative to address equality of opportunity.

What is Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion?

Diversity = Representation (many people, many experiences, many cultures, many voices; this is how we innovate)

Inclusion = Including (purposefully engaging others, trust-building and truly connecting)

Equity = Freedom from bias (as much as humanly possible, practicing impartiality)

Multicultural Membership Scholarship Program Flyer .5 Page WEB

Announcing a new scholarship program for communities of color small business owners and nonprofit professionals!

In a strong effort to connect multicultural entrepreneurs and nonprofit professionals with critical business benefits and resources, and to help overcome financial obstacles and historic barriers, the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber provides a one-time membership scholarship of 50% for the first year of SWCRC membership for Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, and other multicultural-owned businesses and entrepreneurs, at the SWCRC membership level of 25 FTE or less.

With the support of Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, the Chamber is thrilled to provide a new membership scholarship program available to a limited number of small business owners and nonprofit professionals from communities of color that extends the scholarship to 100% of first-year membership dues!

To apply, please contact SWCRC Director of Membership Services, Ryan Zanardelli, at (734) 284-6000 x 26, or rzanardelli@swcrc.com. Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted.

As a part of our ongoing commitment to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber commits to the following strategies:

Strategy 1: External communications

Continue to promote values of diversity and inclusion amongst the Downriver business community and SWCRC membership by providing positive messaging that empowers regional job providers and entrepreneurs with a vision to champion inclusion, empathy, respect, and decency in the workplace.

Social media messaging
Electronic newsletter messaging
Messaging at SWCRC events and programs

Strategy 2: Provide critical education, resources, and opportunities to the SWCRC membership

The SWCRC will continue to provide programming and resources to our membership to focus on diversity and inclusion education, implicit bias training, workplace protections and inclusion for minorities, and more.

Offer small business workshops and roundtable discussions quarterly that provide meaningful value and resources to affect positive change in our community.
Partner with larger organizations like the Michigan Chamber and U.S. Chamber to obtain and offer greater resources to the SWCRC membership that will positively impact our region and promote discussion and action on diversity and inclusion.
Partner with minority business groups to provide valuable resources focused on understanding and fostering diversity and inclusion to the SWCRC membership, via legislative/business forums and other programming.

SWCRC Events Calendar

Strategy 3: Diversify SWCRC membership to better represent the Southern Wayne County Regional business community by providing resources to empower minority-owned organizations

The SWCRC desires to work toward greater diversity of its membership by providing resources to minority-owned small business and nonprofit organizations in the Downriver region, providing value that will empower minority-owned organizations, directly impacting our region in a positive way.

Membership: Similar to the established SWCRC one-time first year “new entrepreneur membership benefit,” provide a one-time membership scholarship of 50% for the first year of SWCRC membership for Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, or other ethnic minority owned businesses and entrepreneurs, at the SWCRC membership level of 25 FTE or less. This membership strategy will provide minority entrepreneurs with critical SWCRC benefits and resources, and help to overcome financial obstacles and historic barriers. Contact Ryan Zanardelli, Membership Services Manager, to obtain the scholarship and join the SWCRC at (734) 284-6000, or email rzanardelli@swcrc.com.
Vendor Booth Opportunities: Provide scholarships for vendor tables at After Business, Ours (ABO) and the Black Tie Gala & Expo for showcasing Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, or other ethnic minority entrepreneurs (first year SWCRC members at the SWCRC membership level of 25 FTE or less) at a 50% rate for ABO, and 30% rate for the Black Tie Gala & Expo. Contact Randy Pilon, Events & Marketing Manager, to obtain the scholarship at (734) 284-6000, or email rpilon@swcrc.com.
SWCRC Membership Application and Documentation: To better express our strong commitment to, and to promote the values of diversity and inclusion, the SWCRC has updated its membership application to provide a statement indicating such commitment. Further, the application asks if a new member is an ethnic minority business owner, or if the applicant represents an ethnic minority-owned business. This will assist the SWCRC in proper documentation and tracking of its membership demographics, and allow the organization’s leadership to better serve its members.

Learn More About SWCRC Membership

Strategy 4: Charge the SWCRC Diversity & Inclusion Task Force to meet regularly to review and enhance the policy to effectively serve the SWCRC membership.

The Task Force will meet every 6 months to review our policy and commitment to DE&I in depth, and to measure its impact on the SWCRC membership and the Downriver community. Our strategy is subject to updates and revisions to better serve the SWCRC membership over time. The Task Force will review SWCRC membership demographic data, programming, and more to enhance the strategy and the SWCRC’s service to its membership at each meeting.