'Diversity in Business Takes Too Long to Sink In,' Says CNN
"Diversity in business is taking too long to sink in," and corporate America is to blame, according to CNN's special edition of "In the Money," which aired Saturday at 3 p.m. The segment, featuring interviews with Time Warner Chairman and CEO Richard Parsons, Spelman College President Dr. Beverley Daniel Tatum and DiversityInc Partner and Cofounder Luke Visconti, concludes American businesses are taking too long to do something "so simple." But if leveraging diversity in the workplace is "so simple," why don't more companies get it? Visconti says 99 percent of workplace problems related to diversity stem from ignorance. Why? Read the transcript.
Dr. Tatum, a guest columnist in DiversityInc magazine's most recent issue on bidirectional communications, talks about the impact of prevailing segregation and fields questions ranging from "Where do white men fit into this conversation?" to "What does affirmative action have to do with it?" and "What's the link to the bottom line?" Leadership makes the difference. CNN's Paula Zahn says it's "pathetic" there only are three black Fortune 100 CEOs. How does Parsons, who is one of them, respond? (See also: Debunking Diversity Studies--5 That Prove the Business Case; 5 That Get it Wrong)
First N.J. Civil Unions; Anglican Leaders Make New Demands
New Jersey became the third state in the nation--behind Vermont and Connecticut--to allow civil unions on Monday, but some same-sex couples still aren't satisfied. Couples must wait three days to be married after filing a civil-union application, which means the first civil unions will be conducted on Thursday. Massachusetts remains the only state to allow same-sex marriage. Which state will be next? Why are some N.J. same-sex couples angry with former Gov. Jim McGreevey, who publicly came out two years ago, and what does he say in return?
Marriage prospects for same-sex couples are less optimistic in Tanzania, where Anglican leaders demanded the U.S. Episcopal Church promise to ban same-sex unions and stop consecrating gay bishops before divisions within the 77-million-member global Anglican church are irreparable. Tensions peaked in 2003 when the Episcopal Church consecrated its first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, and the church's election of a female presiding bishop last year hasn't helped interdenominational relations. What else do the Anglican leaders want, and what's their deadline? Will the Episcopal Church comply? (See also: Female Bishops Becomes Leader of Episcopal Church)
Super Bowl Head Coach to 'Defend the Title'
Tony Dungy, the first black head coach to win a Super Bowl, wants to defend his title. Dungy announced Monday he will return for another season with Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, dismissing speculations he might retire. What's on his "wish list" for 2007? (See also: Despite Black Super Bowl Coaches, Sports Aren't Level Playing Field or 2 Black Head Coaches at the Super Bowl--Yes, It's a VERY Big Deal)
Obama, Clinton Head to the South
Who will get the black vote? That question has been on the minds of many since Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton declared their candidacy for the 2008 presidential election. Both recently traveled down South to canvass the territory, and both stopped in South Carolina, where black voters are expected to comprise 50 percent of the primary electorate. Polls have consistently showed Clinton leading Obama among black voters, but recent endorsements may shake things up.
Who's come out for whom? The Rev. Jesse Jackson recently came out in support of Obama, while BET founder Bob Johnson, a past Obama supporter, endorsed Hillary. South Carolina democrat Sen. Darrel Jackson, who also owns a public-relations firm, also pledged his support for Clinton, but could a pending deal with her campaign explain why? And why does Democratic state Sen. Robert Ford, who is black, say an Obama nomination would "doom every other Democrat on the ticket?"
Read more.
'Mother of LGBT Civil-Rights Movement' Dies at 75
LGBT-rights pioneer Barbara Gittings died on Sunday in Wilmington, Del. She was 75. Her partner of 46 years, Kay Tobin Lahusen, made the announcement. Honored as the "mother of the GLBT civil-rights group" by Equality Forum executive director Malcolm Lazin, Gittings marched in picket lines at the White House to protest against anti-gay discrimination, campaigned to remove "homosexuality" from the Diagnostic Statistical Manual, and founded the New York chapter of the Daughters of Bilitis, the first lesbian organization. There will be a wreath-laying ceremony today in Philadelphia to commemorate the first annual LGBT-rights demonstrations at Independence Hall. Read more.
Stem Cells From Cord Blood Give New Hope for Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis
Doctors are asking parents to donate their babies' umbilical-cord blood, which abounds with stem cells. The government is setting up the first national cord-blood banking system, intending to prevent 12,000 deaths a year. Why do these cells hold so much promise? Read more.
Is umbilical-cord blood the key to treating Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis? A team of researchers in Mexico made a medical breakthrough by using pure cord-blood stem cells to treat these diseases. A 72-year-old Alzheimer's patient became better able to form and remember new memories. After receiving an IV-drip infusion of cord-blood cells, a patient with progressive multiple sclerosis for 16 years found he had improved balance, higher energy levels and could move across his house without a cane. Why are these treatments effective, and do cord-blood cells provide hope for the future? Read more.
Native American Mascot to Be Retired After 81 Years
Years of complaints from Native American groups and opposition from the NCAA have spurred the University of Illinois to retire its 81-year-old Native American mascot Chief Illiniwek, which it will do after the last seasonal men's home basketball game on Wednesday. What was the final straw? The school received a letter from the NCAA on Thursday that promised to lift its sanction, which bans the school from hosting postseason events, if the mascot were dropped. Why did two students go to court on the issue? Read more.
MIT Prof Ends Hunger Strike
A black MIT professor who alleged the university denied him tenure on the basis of race went on a hunger strike for 12 days, which ended Friday. He said his demands had yet to be met, but the fast drew attention to issues of equity in higher education. The stem-cell scientist resorted to a hunger strike after two years of failed attempts to convince the department head to reverse his decision against tenure. The university has said its decision is final. What will happen next?
Celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans
Although today's Mardi Gras celebration isn't what it was in the past, black groups in New Orleans are attempting to revive the holiday, handcrafting costumes many otherwise cannot afford. While some outside the city look to the 31 parades this season, up from 28 last year, as a sign of progress since Hurricane Katrina, certain families are celebrating more than others. How is New Orleans celebrating this year's Mardi Gras, and who's celebrating? Read more.
First Black House Clerk
Lorraine Miller was sworn in as clerk of the House of Representatives last week, making her the first black to hold the seat since its establishment in 1789. Selected by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the first woman in that position, Miller will run daily operations of the House and plans to put special focus on the page program, which recently was wracked by the Foley scandal. How did this former Texas high-school teacher become the first black House clerk? Read more.
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