Seattle business and community leaders send a message of unity

Join the movement--15 steps to get out of your comfort zone!

In recognition of Black History Month, and the Oscar-nominated documentary "The Barber of Birmingham," a large group of Seattle's business and multicultural leaders have come together around a single cause—bridging the gap between the many diverse communities in our city.

Regina Glenn, the Chamber's vice president of multicultural and small business explained the effort reflects a new era. It's one where our region's potential is based in part on our diverse populations and the collective strength that can result when all of these entities unite behind a common cause.

Glenn and other leaders are also encouraging community members to step outside of their comfort zones. They've put together a checklist of 15 items to improve cultural awareness and economic prosperity.

15 Steps Out of Your Comfort Zone

• Review your professional and social network and make a meaningful effort to expand it to include people with diverse backgrounds.
• Independently attend or ask your employer to hold a training on cultural awareness, gender and international sensitivities, avoiding stereotypes and unintended condescension, understanding generational differences, and how to positively impact culture change.
• Join a club/committee/board dedicated to supporting an affinity group.
• Support a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the rights of diverse groups or disadvantaged communities either financially or by donating your time.
• Participate in an activity that promotes diversity (e.g. rally or other community focused effort).
• Participate in an activity during Black History Month and during other heritage months (Hispanic Heritage Month in September, Native American Heritage Month in November).
• Participate in mentoring programs that support affinity groups (e.g. racial, ethnic-background and gender-based affinity groups are the most common but there are also affinity groups based on country of origin, religion, physical disabilities, military service, age, sexual orientation and many other parameters).
• Mentor a student from a low-income community. (Did you know? Two-thirds of students who cannot read proficiently by the end of the fourth grade will end up in jail or on welfare. The fourth grade is the watershed year. – National Center for Education Statistics)
• Volunteer for activities that serve diverse/low-income/underrepresented communities.
• Work on helping multicultural businesses create wealth.
• Talk with your children about racism, sexism, ageism and other prejudices. Show your child that you welcome open discussions about race, gender, age, physical abilities, etc.
• Buy a book about an African-American pioneer, or on the Civil Rights Movement, or a similar topic and learn more about America’s cultural history.
• Support one of the historically black colleges such as Spelman College or Cheyney University, the first black college in the United States, by donating to their endowment funds.
• Make an effort to work on a team with people you don’t know very well and who are not from the same background/ethnicity.
• Write an article, blog post, newsletter blurb, about the importance of getting out of your comfort zone and encourage others to participate in activities that support cultural awareness.