U.S. Chamber of Commerce Launches National Initiative on Inequality of Opportunity

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has announced a national town hall as part of an ongoing initiative to address the inequality of opportunity through education, employment, entrepreneurship, and criminal justice reform.

In a June 3 statement, the agency said the event will take place June 25. The agency will also leverage its federation of trade associations along with state and local chambers to continue the dialogue in local communities and across industry sectors.

“The senseless death of George Floyd has called renewed attention to the inequality and injustice in America. We stand in solidarity against racism and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in our society and economy,” Suzanne Clark, President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said. “As a nation, we must address this issue with a robust plan of action.”

Initiative partners will include the CEOs of local chambers of commerce agencies in Arizona, New Jersey, Washington D.C. and Greenville, S.C. as well as the American Council of Life Insurers and the National Retail Federation.

The Chamber of Commerce plans to expand on its recent efforts of diversity including the First Step Act, the Talent Pipeline Management Initiative and the agency’s collaboration with historically black colleges and universities.

“The Chamber believes that the moral case for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace is indisputable, and there’s overwhelming evidence that greater diversity benefits the American economy, businesses, communities and employees,” Clark said. “At the Chamber, we know what a job means to a family and to a community. We will leverage our expertise and relationships to help develop solutions that will enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in our economic system.”,

Last month, Rick C. Wade, the US Chamber of Commerce’s vice president of Strategic Alliances and Outreach, said black-owned businesses need long-term investment in order to succeed as a whole. A poll by the chamber showed 1 in 4 small businesses are on the brink of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.