Why is diversity, equity and inclusion important?

How to start a DEI journey at your company

Strategy and implementation

Recruitment and retention resources

Workplace best practices

Training and education

Philanthropy community

Supplier diversity

Workplace designations

Why is diversity, equity and inclusion important for your business?

U.S. Chamber of Commerce: A Business Guide to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

McKinsey & Company: Diversity Wins: How Inclusion Matters

Forbes: 15 Key Benefits Of DEI To Communicate With Team Members

Harvard Business Review: Getting Serious About Diversity: Enough Already with the Business Case

Berkley Edu: Business Case for Investing in Diversity

Learn more

Getting started

3 Steps to Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion Strategies
Recommended approach for implementation of a sustainable DEI strategy

Seven Tips For Building An Effective DEI Strategy
Recommended approach for implementation of a sustainable DEI strategy

Employer Guide to Developing a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Workplace
An overview for employers seeking to attract, develop and retain a racially and ethnically diverse workforce

Strategy and implementation

3 steps to sustainable diversity and inclusion strategies
Gartner
Recommended approach for implementation of a sustainable DEI strategy

CLICK HERE

Seven tips for building an effective DEI strategy
Forbes
Recommended approach for implementation of a sustainable DEI strategy

CLICK HERE

Employer guide to developing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace
CareerForce
An overview for employers seeking to attract, develop and retain a racially and
ethnically diverse workforce

CLICK HERE

Recruitment and retention resources

Hiring people with disabilities DEED Workers with disabilities bring skills and add a valuable dimension to most any company. CLICK HERE	Hiring foreign workers DEED Foreign labor certification and employer responsibilities when hiring foreign workers. CLICK HERE	Hiring people with a difficult job history DEED Fidelity Bonding offers some assurance to employers who would like to take the risk out of hiring. It is no-cost employee insurance that protects employers against employee theft of money or property. CLICK HERE

How to hire a veteran DEED How to hire a veteran CLICK HERE	5 steps to improve diversity recruiting SHRM 5 steps to improve diversity recruiting CLICK HERE	Hidden biases in the workplace: recruiting and hiring CareerForce Hidden biases in the workplace: recruiting and hiring CLICK HERE

7 practical ways to reduce bias in your hiring process SHRM Reducing Bias in the hiring process CLICK HERE	Onramps guide Second Chance Business Coalition Starting points and pathways to build second chance employment into your hiring talent strategy CLICK HERE	12 ways to improve your diversity recruiting strategy Recruitee blog 12 ways to improve your diversity recruiting strategy CLICK HERE

13 ways to seek out more diverse candidates for critical positions Forbes 13 ways to seek out more diverse candidates for critical positions CLICK HERE	4 visa programs that can help employers solve their workforce needs U.S. Chamber of Commerce 4 visa programs that can help employers solve their workforce needs CLICK HERE	Here's what hiring manager should be analyzing on every job candidate's application (and why) Forbes Here's what hiring manager should be analyzing on every job candidate's application (and why) CLICK HERE

On-demand webinars to help you find new employees in untapped talent pools

Building a disability-inclusive workforce

Attracting and retaining service members and veterans

Creating racially diverse and inclusive workplaces

Workplace best practices

Refugee and Immigrant Worker Employment Services International Institute of Minnesota Free employment services for employers to connect with refugee and immigrant workers. CLICK HERE	Build a diverse and inclusive workplace CareerForce An overview for employers seeking to attract, develop and retain a racially and ethnically diverse workforce CLICK HERE	Veterans resources CareerForce CareerForce can help you recruit and hire our nation’s veterans, a highly skilled talent pool who will bring values, leadership and teamwork to the workplace. CLICK HERE

Disability resources CareerForce Learn why hiring people with disabilities makes good business sense. Find out how you can create a diverse and welcoming workplace. See what fellow employers have to say about workers with disabilities. CLICK HERE	Hiring migrant and seasonal farmworkers CareerForce The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development offers help for employers seeking to hire migrant and seasonal farm workers through its Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker program. Migrant Labor Representatives provide services to employers across the state. CLICK HERE	Youth resources CareerForce While employers may appreciate the flexibility, enthusiasm and willingness to learn that young people bring to the workplace, there are other factors employers need to take into consideration with younger employees, especially teens. CLICK HERE

How to Launch a Diversity and Inclusion council Lever How to Launch a Diversity and Inclusion council CLICK HERE	What is a diversity council and how do you make it a success? Forbes What is a diversity council and how do you make it a success? CLICK HERE	Beyond Diversity University of Connecticut A roadmap to building an inclusive organization CLICK HERE

Diversity and inclusion employer action guide City of Duluth and CareerForce A toolkit to help employers increase diversity and strengthen inclusiveness in recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and retention. CLICK HERE	Leadership Toolkit Minnesota Compass Wilder Research conducted a literature review to better understand which diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and practices in the workplace have been found to make an impact. CLICK HERE	Increasing access to public meetings and events for people with disabilities Institute for Local Government Tips for increasing access CLICK HERE

Helping military members and veterans living with trauma 23rd Veteran A toolkit to help employers increase diversity and strengthen inclusiveness in recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and retention. CLICK HERE

Training and education

Creating workplace equity for everyone LGBTQ
Mossier
Community for people to listen, test ideas, learn, and grow. We work with organizations to develop employment equity for everyone LGBTQ through in-person meetups, DEI training and education, and our jobs platform. All of these resources help employees design the way they want their workspaces to work for everyone, not to mention how to hold leaders accountable to action

CLICK HERE

Disability inclusion bite sized learning modules
CareerForce
Disability Inclusion Bite-Sized Learning Modules for Employers are here to support you in making your organization more welcoming for employees with disabilities.

CLICK HERE

The Arc Learning Center
The Arc Minnesota
The Arc Learning Center provides information and advice to support your journey. Learn about issues like employment, education, and self-advocacy through videos, webinars, Arc Guides, and more.

CLICK HERE

New learning solutions
Inclusion Inc
A series of training, education and development resources

CLICK HERE

Tribal-state Relations Training
2022 Minnesota Department of Transportation
Tribal-state Relations Training

CLICK HERE

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Philanthropy Community

Greater Twin Cities United Way
Support Beyond Dollars
How Philanthropy Can Build Anti-Racist Cohort Experiences to Elevate the Genius of Black, Indigenous, and Leaders of Color in Nonprofit Organizations

Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity
Grantmaking with a Racial Justice Lens

Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors
Diversity, Inclusion, and Effective Philanthropy

D5 Coalition
Analysis of policies, practices, and programs for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion

GroundWork USA
Best practices for meaningful community engagement
Tips for engaging historically underrepresented populations in visioning and planning

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Supplier diversity

Why you need a supplier diversity program
Harvard Business Review
Why you need a supplier diversity program

CLICK HERE

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program
Minnesota Unified Certification Program (MNUCP)
The goal of the DBE program is to make sure there is equal opportunity in the award of US DOT-FTA-FAA-FHWA assisted contracts for highway, transit, and airport projects. The program is intended to create a “level playing field” on which DBEs can compete fairly with larger non-DBE firms.

CLICK HERE

Minority Business Development Agency
U.S. Department of CommerceThe Minnesota MBDA Business Center is a part of a nationwide network of thirty-nine centers. The Center is operated by MEDA, a premier organization that has been dedicated to the development of Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) for more than 40 years. The MBDA is the only federal agency created specifically to foster the growth of minority owned businesses in America.

CLICK HERE

Disability-owned business certification
Disability:IN
Certification for disabiilty owned buiness enterprise (DOBE). A disability-owned business enterprise (DOBE) is a for-profit business that is at least 51% owned, managed and controlled by a person with a disability regardless of whether or not that business owner employs person(s) with a disability. They do not certify non-profit organizations

CLICK HERE

Women-owned business certification
Women's Business Enterprise National Council
WBENC Certification is the most widely recognized and respected national certification for women-owned businesses in the U.S

CLICK HERE

Women-owned business certification
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): Women-owned small business federal contracting programThe certification process for Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs) and Economically Disadvantaged WOSBs (EDWOSBs) changed in 2020. SBA implemented Congress’ changes to the WOSB Federal Contracting program, as put forth in the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

CLICK HERE

LGBT-owned business enterprise certification
National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)
NGLCC helps certified LGBTBE, LGBT Busines Enterprise is modeled on the standards developed by other national diverse certifying bodies, including the NMSDC (National Minority Supplier Diversity Council) and WBENC (Women's Business Enterprise National Council)

CLICK HERE

MN Supplier Match
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Search our database of more than 1000 Minnesota suppliers by keyword or product/service category

CLICK HERE

Twin Ports BIPOC Business Directory
Duluth 1200 Fund, Inc
The Northland BIPOC Business Directory exists to celebrate, promote, ignite power, and advance people of color owned businesses and communities. This directory is intended for businesses that are people of color owned and operated in the Twin Ports to provide resources, connections, awareness, and to bring communities of color together.

CLICK HERE

Targeted Group/Economically Disadvantaged/Veteran-Owned (TG/ED/VO) Small Business Procurement Program
Minnesota Department of Administration
Targeted Group small businesses must be certified as such by MMD in order to participate in the program. By being certified with the MMD, the business may also be eligible to participate in similar state-funded programs operated by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) and several Metropolitan Agencies.

CLICK HERE

Metropolitan Economic Development Assocaiton (MEDA)

MEDA provides a program to develop and grow minority businesses and to establish relationships and contracts/buying opportunities between corporations and MBE’s

CLICK HERE

National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)

Certification for minority businesses that most Fortune 1000 and some governmental entities accept.

CLICK HERE

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Workplace designations

Disability Equality Index Disability In Cost: $600 Comprehensive benchmarking tool that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions that they can take to achieve disability inclusion and equality. Each company receives a score, on a scale of zero (0) to 100, with those earning 80 and above recognized as “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion CLICK HERE	Corporate Equality Index Human Rights Campaign Cost: Free National benchmarking tool on corporate policies, practices and benefits pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer employees. CLICK HERE	Beyond the Yellow Ribbon designation Minnesota Department of Military Affairs Cost: Free A Yellow Ribbon Company is a broad, organizationally structured company with national, regional and statewide influence. In addition, a Yellow Ribbon Company needs to contain essential areas including a HR Recruiting and HR Policy and Procedure Department, Training and Development and Community and Employee Outreach and Support Departments. CLICK HERE

Racial Equity Dividends Index Center for Economic Inclusion Cost: $1,000 Comprehensive tool to help businesses measure their progress towards building racially equitable and inclusive workplaces in Minnesota. CLICK HERE	Intercultural Competence Assessment Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Cost: $30/per survey organizational $2,000 for IDI Qualifying Seminar Tuition IDI Individual Profile Report provides valuable information about your own mindset/skillset toward cultural difference and commonality. The Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®) is a valid and reliable assessment of intercultural competence. It has been developed and tested using rigorous cross-culturally validated psychometric protocols with over 220,000 respondents from a wide range of cultural groups and countries. In addition, the IDI has been translated into multiple languages using rigorous back translation protocols. CLICK HERE	CEO Action pledge PwC Cost: Free CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ aims to rally the business community to advance diversity and inclusion within the workplace. The CEO pledge outlines a specific set of actions the signatory CEOs will take to cultivate a trusting environment where all ideas are welcomed, and employees feel comfortable and empowered to have discussions about diversity and inclusion. Site contains a series of resources, training tools, and best practice guides CLICK HERE

Inclusive Workforce Employer (I-WE) Designation DEED Cost: Free A designation to recognize and promote inclusive employers CLICK HERE

Workforce solutions: Diversity, equity and inclusion

Tangible tools to help your business build and welcome your workforce

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Why is diversity, equity and inclusion important for your business?

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Getting started

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Strategy and implementation

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Recruitment and retention resources

On-demand webinars to help you find new employees in untapped talent pools

Second chance hiring

Building a disability-inclusive workforce

Attracting and retaining service members and veterans

Creating racially diverse and inclusive workplaces

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Workplace best practices

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Training and education

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Philanthropy Community

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Supplier diversity

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Workplace designations

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