The ringing of the Closing BellTM by the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) and several cross-segment diversity groups at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) last Monday didn't just mark the end of the day's trading—it signified the historic joining together of these diverse groups in their shared commitment to continue working together to promote diversity, inclusion and opportunity for diverse-owned businesses.
As part of the fourth annual Diversity & Leadership in Financial Services Awards, the NGLCC and its collaborating partners participated in an executive roundtable, where corporate diversity leaders refined corporate best practices related to diversity and inclusion in the financial services sector. During the roundtable, the diverse groups—which included the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), the US Business Leadership Network: Disability at Work (USBLN), the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC), and the National Black Justice Coalition (USBJC)—agreed to form a permanent working group to continue to address issues related to corporate diversity and inclusion in employment, procurement and other policies.
"Having these diverse groups come together to ring the Closing BellTM reflected how we're all making this commitment to continue our work together to keep the financial services industry growing as a diverse and inclusive sector of our American economy," said Justin Nelson, co-founder and president of the NGLCC.
Nelson noted that the groups represented $9.8 trillion dollars in consumer spending power.
Monday's Closing Bell ceremony marked the first time in the nearly 220-year history of the NYSE that these segments of the population have jointly participated in this ritual.
"Bringing this diverse group together to ring the bell, and the dialogue with chief diversity officers and other diversity leaders from America's top financial services companies, proves that we can work together to find opportunities for all our communities," said Chance Mitchell, NGLCC co-founder and CEO.
To view the webcast of the NGLCC and its collaborating partners ringing the closing bell, click here.
