Through a series of webinars held this month, the Partnership's One Houston Together initiative has explored multiple facets of racial inequity in our community, from how race impacts access to quality education to its effect on residents' health outcomes. Now, armed with this knowledge, what can individual companies and the broader corporate community do to help eliminate the disparities?  The fifth installment of the One Houston Together webinar series looked at the Business Community's Role in Addressing Racial Inequities and featured LaTanya Flix, Founder and Principal, CauseAdvance; Ingrid Robinson, President, Houston Minority Supplier Development Council; Nicole Zhao, Senior Consultant, Human Capital, Deloitte; and moderator Bob Harvey, President and CEO, Greater Houston Partnership.  Before the conversation got underway, Partnership Board Chair Bobby Tudor gave an update on the progress of One Houston Together, reminding the audience of the organization's commitment and the principles guiding its actions. “One thing that’s really important to us at the Partnership, and certainly to me as the Chair, is that this needs to not just be about dialogue but about action," Tudor said. “We are committed to actions that make things better and lead to a more just and racially inclusive community in Houston, and in particular the business community in Houston.” We invite you to watch the full conversation by clicking the video recording to the right. Discussion topics included:  How specific companies and organizations have begun to take action.  Ways that companies can make sure their efforts are meaningful instead of "checking a box" Specific company efforts at diversity, equity and inclusion that work, and those that do not.  Reducing implicit bias at key points in the talent life cycle.  The obstacles that remain for minority-owned businesses and how companies can increase their supplier diversity.  How businesses and organizations can act beyond their own walls to address racial inequities in the community.  “When the business community is serious about an issue, they establish clear benchmarks on what they are trying to achieve and they hold themselves accountable," Harvey said. "If we’re serious this time about racial equity and justice, then we should set benchmarks for our communities that go beyond what we can directly impact in our businesses. We should hold ourselves accountable for how we’re shaping, or helping shape, the community.” Learn more about One Houston Together. Register today for our upcoming Houston NEXT: An ERG Summit on Oct 16.  Watch previous One Houston Together webinars:  Understanding Racism Education and Racial Inequities Health and Racial Inequities  Developing Equitable Communities 

Historic gaps in equity and access to opportunity continue to adversely impact communities across Houston. Today, a person’s zip code remains one of the best indicators of their health and wealth. But there are renewed efforts to close the gaps in equity in our region’s communities.  The fourth installment of the Partnership’s One Houston Together webinar series looked at Developing Equitable Communities and featured  Duwain Pinder, Associate Partner, McKinsey and Company; Kyle Shelton, Deputy Director, Kinder Institute for Urban Research; Robert Bullard, Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy, Texas Southern University; and Susan Rogers, Director, Community Design Resource Center at the University of Houston College of Architecture and Design.  We invite you to watch the full conversation by clicking the video recording to the right. Please note: There is a brief gap in the video recording after the 4-minute mark. We apologize for this technical issue.  Discussion topics included:  What it means to create equitable neighborhoods and communities and how we address the historic roots of inequitable policies and systems. The importance of including justice in racial equity efforts. How disasters can widen the equity gap in neighborhoods and the need for resiliency in both physical and social infrastructure.  How Harris County added a lens of equity to the distribution of flood resiliency funds and projects. Defining the racial wealth gap and how closing it can benefit the economy.  Can public and private funding resources effectively work together to impact equity. Why the issue of systemic racism precludes the development of equitable communities and cities.  Beyond government, the role businesses and industries can play in addressing racial equity and justice.  Additional Resources:  “Invisible Houston" by Robert D. Bullard McKinsey & Company study on The Economic Impact of Closing the Racial Wealth Gap Learn more about One Houston Together.  Below are other events related to the series. All One Houston Together virtual events are free to register:  The Business Community’s Role in Addressing Racial Inequities – Sept 29  Houston NEXT: An ERG Summit – Oct 16  Watch previous One Houston Together webinars:  Understanding Racism Education and Racial Inequities Health and Racial Inequities