CenterState CEO Starts Site with Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Tools for Business

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — CenterState CEO recently launched a new website offering a series of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) tools for Central New York businesses, nonprofits, and individuals. 

The site (www.centerstateceoequity.com) offers information, assessment tools, and educational resources to support organizations in their efforts to address racial equity in their workplaces, the community, “and beyond.”

The site was developed by CenterState CEO and sponsored by Berkshire Bank, per a Feb. 1 news release.

“We know that many companies are taking a closer look at how to develop internal and external strategies for building more inclusive and equitable workplaces,” Juhanna Rogers, VP of racial equity and social impact at CenterState CEO, said. “To ensure true impact, it is critical for organizations to equip themselves with the knowledge and tools, supported by research and equity principles, to affect positive, long-term change.”

“This initiative is truly in line with the core values of Berkshire Bank, and our strong commitment to communities in Central New York,” Chris Papayanakos, regional president at Berkshire Bank, said.

Regardless of where a business is on its efforts on equity and inclusion, the site offers a “thoughtful space to foster racial-equity dialogue and solutions” across the region, CenterState CEO contends. 

The economic development and chamber-of-commerce organization invites businesses to “further their DEI goals” by taking the “business equity pledge.” The pledge asks business leaders to commit to building “welcoming, inclusive and equitable” workplaces across Central New York.

So far, more than 50 businesses and individuals have signed the pledge, Elle Hanna, senior director of communications and media relations at CenterState CEO, tells CNYBJ.

Robert Simpson, president and CEO of CenterState CEO, said he’s been seeing increased interest in these issues by business members lately. “In recent months, regional employers have shared that they and their employees are looking for further support to advance dialogue and programming on these issues within their organizations. We are excited to offer this new set of resources in an accessible online format, in addition to our DEI professional development training curriculum.”

Read the full article, at Central New York Business Journal's website.