Many Cultures, One Home.  Macomb County launches Diversity Awareness + Understanding Initiative program.

The honorable William A. Crouchman, Chair of the Macomb County Board of Commissioners, delivered the annual “State of the County” address to a packed crowd at  Mac & Ray's in Harrison Township on March 18.

The event, co-sponsored by the Macomb County Chamber Alliance, provided an opportunity to share many successes of the county over the past year.  (Complete script.)

The event also was also the official launch of a special project developed by the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development (MCPED) and the Macomb County Chamber.  Recognizing that the county is undergoing cultural changes unlike any other decade in history, the two worked together to help foster awareness and appreciation for the county’s growing diversity. 

The Diversity Awareness + Understanding initiative is a series of brochure designed for business owners and residents that will help to increase cultural competencies both here at home and abroad.  Stephen Cassin, Executive Director of MCPED says, “This initiative will provide businesses and community members with wonderful insight into how diversity impacts each of us on a daily basis.  Each day Macomb County is becoming more racially and ethnically integrated and as more people from diverse backgrounds do business and make their homes in Macomb County, we all must take proactive steps to appreciate how truly unique Macomb County is.”

By championing communication and education in the workplace and our homes, the initiative seeks to assist community members:

1. Increase diversity competence

2. Serve customers more effectively

3. Interact with neighbors and co-Workers

4. Compete in the global marketplace

 

The cornerstone piece is the main Diversity Awareness + Understanding brochure which illustrates the importance of diversity and culture and its impact on business and community.  To accompany this message, six other brochures were developed to highlight China, Germany, India, Lebanon, Mexico, and South Africa.  Each of these explores the culture, society, and general business practices of a particular country.  With the awareness material now in place MCPED and its many partners in this initiative can begin to educate businesses and residents and push diversity as a pillar of quality of life and business success in Macomb County.   

Says Grace Shore, CEO/COO of the Macomb County Chamber, “For the Chamber this initiative is all about awareness.  Since the beginning we wanted to highlight how diverse Macomb County already is, and how our diversity is an asset to existing and potential businesses and community members.” 

In developing the material for the initiative MCPED received direction and resources from the Michigan Department of Civil Rights.  In a letter of support to MCPED, John Golaszewski, Community Relations Coordinator praised the county by proclaiming, “You really are to be complimented for this project, as the value Macomb County will realize from both international business and enhanced relationships with the community members will be immeasurable.”

Aside from MCPED and the Chamber, sponsors of the brochures include Baker College and Beaumont Hospitals.

Watch www.macombcountymi.gov/mcped for further developments and additional resources.