Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The Buffalo Niagara Partnership is committed to creating awareness about the competitive advantage of having a diverse, equitable, and inclusive regional business climate through employer education, talent recruitment, and procurement.
The benefits of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce are well-known and include enhanced innovation, increased competitive advantage, higher employee engagement, and improved talent attraction and retention.
However, recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce continues to be a major challenge and priority for our members. In response to our members’ needs, we have created several programs designed to advance best practices and enable employers to leverage diversity for competitive advantage and promote a workplace culture of inclusion and engagement.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Executive Exchange:
Small, peer-to-peer, professionally facilitated groups for Senior Level Executives who are actively implementing DEI programs in their organization. Where leaders can comfortably meet, share experiences, and resolve D&I challenges in a confidential setting.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Symposium:
The premier event for DEI in the Buffalo Niagara region. Our Symposium is presented annually to empower organizations to come together to learn how to start, continue, or accelerate DEI efforts. In 2022, we had more than 800 registrants who signed onto our advanced virtual platform from within Buffalo Niagara and beyond.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Assessment:
Originally undertaken in 2020, the WNY DEI Community Assessment has been released with updated data that indicates there has been significant progress and interest on behalf of local employers to move past “learning” and into action.
Minority Business Initiative:
This initiative seeks to help break through the barriers that have historically challenged minority business ownership and create a pathway to board membership for participants. By giving minority-owned businesses greater access to BNP’s resources, the program’s underwriters aim to help multiply the participant’s success.
Thank you to our 2024 DEI Symposium Sponsors
PRESENTING SPONSORS
EVENT SPONSORS
From the Blog
A look at the 14 members of the 2024 Minority Business Initiative cohortÂ
Meet the 14 companies that are part of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership’s 2024 Minority Business Initiative Cohort.
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5 Key Takeaways from the DEI Symposium
The Buffalo Niagara Partnership brought nearly 300 executives, HR professionals, managers and staff members together at the seventh annual DEI Symposium for a half day full of engaging and informative sessions about how organizations can take the next step on their DEI journeys. Here are 5 takeaways from the event.
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Supporting Teammates in the Workplace and at Every Stage of Life
At Bank of America, investing in our teammates’ wellness and professional development is the first step toward building a better Buffalo for all. By actively seeking out and empowering a diverse pipeline of talent and the next generation of leaders, we can help drive responsible growth both internally and in our local communities.Â
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2023 DEI Symposium: Meet Beth Sullivan, Panelist
The BNP is pleased to welcome Beth Sullivan, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP, Director of Human Resources at United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, as a panelist for the 2023 DEI Symposium. We will be helping you get to know each presenter, panelist, and moderator in the weeks ahead, leading up to the June 1st event.
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