2024 Q3 Quarter in Review

The past few months have been filled with insightful events and impactful initiatives in our community. From discussions on the future of work and the early talent pipeline to empowering conversations on diversity, equity, and inclusion, we've seen a remarkable commitment to progress and positive change. Let's take a closer look at some of the key moments that have shaped Triangle DEI Alliance’s journey this year, from leadership graduations to collaborative efforts in promoting race equity and fostering a more inclusive workplace.

Quarter in Review (May -  September 2024)

May 2024

May 30 Courageous Conversation: The Future of Work & Your Early Talent Pipeline

More than 90 people attended the sold-out Courageous Conversation on The Future of Work & Your Early Talent Pipeline. Attendees learned practical tools to audit their organization’s policies, programs, and practices and consider its impact on early talent from Chelsea C. Williams, Founder and CEO of Reimagine Talent Co. Those who participated also had an opportunity to share what generational shifts they are seeing and solutions they have found within their own fields.

Torri Staton, Ph.D. Graduates from Leadership Raleigh Class 47

Leadership Raleigh, the ideal program for preparing the future leaders of our community, has a proven track record of over 54 years. It has consistently provided business and community leaders with the opportunity to discover the Triangle region while building lasting relationships with professional peers. Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity Torri Staton, Ph.D. was proud to join the leagues of top local professionals as an alumnus of the program this June. During the program, her team supported The No Woman No Girl Initiative by raising over $10,000 for the organization and hygiene items.

June 11 -We Connect: LGBTQIA+ Pride Month 

More than 35 people attended the LGBTQIA+ Pride Month We Connect event where we gained great insight into how we can support and celebrate individuals of the LGBTQIA+ experience in the workplace through the words of Pauli Murray from Jesse Huddleston, Board Chair of Pauli Murray Center for History & Social Justice. We also shared images, videos, and specific takeaways from the event on social media using our hashtag #WeConnectTriangle.

June 13 - Torri Staton, Ph.D., Spoke On a Panel at the Take No Bull Women’s Conference

Pictured from left to right: Torri A. Staton, Ph.D., Ashley Ahlers, Director of Partnerships and Communication John Rex Endowment; Tarkisha Poole, Community Impact Manager, Coastal Credit Union; Angelique Stallings, Vice President of Community Investment, Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce; Allyson Cobb Director of External Partnerships, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; Shirnetta Harrell, Founder and Executive Director, The No Woman, No Girl Initiative

Torri A. Staton, Ph.D., spoke on the “Sis, You Good?” panel at the Take No Bull Women’s Conference. The panelists had a vulnerable conversation about burnout, mental health, and sisterhood in the workplace.

June 14 Environmental Scan Kick Off Meeting

The Triangle DEI Alliance hosted the A Better Wake Environmental Scan Kick-off meeting in collaboration with Wake County Government and RTI International. This collaborative effort will create an accountability framework by mapping the ecosystem of local organizations working on addressing racial inequities via the four focus areas addressed in the A Better Wake Blueprint to Dismantle Systemic Racism. It will include a database of organizations in the Triangle area, a brief on key trends, and a presentation on the high-level findings.

June 24 - A Better Wake Update: Accelerating Race Equity Defining our Path Forward

The Triangle DEI Alliance collaborated with the Wake County Government Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to update the community on the progress made on the A Better Wake Initiative. This event focused on the race equity environmental scan, the forming of a community-wide Race Equity Advancement Collaboration Team (REACT) to address recommendations from the Blueprints plan, the efforts being made on current race equity efforts by key stakeholders and identifying individual opportunities to create awareness and promote race equity efforts.  

June 28 - Triangle DEI Alliance Presents to Navigators USA

Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity Program Coordinator Serenia Parsons, M.A., was invited to present to Navigators USA, a homeschooling troop based in Wake County, to earn their diversity badge. She presented on Triangle DEI Alliance’s goal to make the Triangle region the most diverse, equitable, and inclusive business region. She also created a hands-on activity that allowed the scouts to explore their social identity.  

July 23 - 2024 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Conference

With a staggering attendance of 1200, the 2024 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Conference, in partnership with Bank of America, was a resounding success. The theme, The Focus is The Future, was a beacon of enlightenment, recentering organizations on the crucial role of DEI in shaping an organization’s future amid the noise. Attendees were not just participants, but enlightened learners, gaining profound insights into the creation, promotion, and sustenance of DEI in the Workplace through a series of panels, breakout sessions led by experts, and opportunities to learn, build, and connect with a DEI lens.\

Our release of the 2024 DEI Metro Comparison report was a significant milestone, shedding light on how the Raleigh Metro area compares to other metros in terms of various performance measures and the representation of diverse communities in the metro population. The Raleigh metro's impressive No. 9 ranking out of the 155 most populated metropolitan areas in the United States regarding DEI Performance is a testament to our collective efforts. This comprehensive report is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusivity.  You can find the full DEI metro report here.

We also announced our 2024 Phil Freelon Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Award Honoree: Patrice Haley, National Supplier Diversity Lead, DPR Construction.

Thank you again to all our investors, partners, and supporters!