Our Programs
The St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative has established a series of programs to help companies and minority employees and vendors expand their ways of doing business to be more successful by being more inclusive - from skill-building, to monthly networking opportunities, to sharing of best practices. The initiative also is a conduit to connect minority employees with employers and minority suppliers with purchasers. Hiring and procurement contacts for all members of the St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative are available at www.stlbizdiversity.com.

Diversity Officers' Network
Senior human resources executives from member companies meet monthly as the Diversity Officers' Network (DON) to strategize about ways companies can help each other promote fully inclusive workplaces. The DON members share successful experiences and create action plans to help businesses formulate and execute programs for the hiring and advancement of minorities.

Leadership Development
The St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative's leadership program is designed to address the interests and challenges of professionals of color as they work to develop and advance their careers. Participants in our program are Black, Latino, Asian & South Asian, and Native American. The Initiative Fellows program features a holistic approach that creates a safe and stimulating environment for participants to receive valuable feedback, self-reflect on the feedback, acquire effective leadership strategies and build relationships essential to their individual and collective growth. The leadership program for professionals of color is The Initiative Fellows Program for mid to senior level professionals.

Gateway Connections...a welcoming orientation to the St. Louis region for people of color
Gateway Connections has been developed for professionals and their spouses or guest who have recently relocated to the St. Louis region. The program is designed to assist these professionals in making a smooth, knowledgeable transition to living in the St. Louis region. A one-day session has been designed to give the participants an opportunity to meet key business and community leaders and to receive an extensive overview of the area's history, economics, structures, cultural affairs and leisure amenities. One of the program objectives is to allow participants to become acquainted with the formal and informal power structures of the area. In addition, the participants meet other professionals who have relocated to the area. The program goals are:

1) Introduce people of color who have recently relocated to the St. Louis region;
2) Offer a sampling of the area's major cultural, entertainment and recreational opportunities and venues;
3) Encourage the participants to become involved in community activities and civic groups;
4) Create a shared experience for the participants and
5) Allow the participants to meet and network with other professionals of color.

The professionals that make up each network belong to member companies of the SLBDI. Member companies also have the ability to post their corporate diversity events on the official SLBDI calendar at www.stlbizdiversity.com.