DIVERSITY NEWS
BY BRIANNA WILLIAMS
CELEBRATING OUR DIFFERENCES AND EMBRACING THE “NEW” DIVERSITY: THE BUSINESS CASE FOR BEING YOURSELF
I’M DIFFERENT. AND TODAY, THAT’S A GOOD THING. Diversity, in its most inclusive sense, encompasses much
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more than sex and color. Instead, the concept of diversity has evolved to embrace and appreciate various dimen- sions and off erings that transcend the usual trappings of protected classes. T e gumbo of life experiences, culture, and perspective that defi ne us as individuals—character- istics that make us diff erent from our colleagues—are fast becoming the “new” diversity. It comes as no surprise that many companies, both large
and small, have begun to realize that to compete in today’s rapidly changing world, a diverse workforce is no longer an option but a mandate. T e busi- ness case for diversity recognizes that a complement of profession- als with a rich variety of unique viewpoints provides a distinct advantage in the marketplace. Understanding the needs of the individuals we serve necessar- ily requires the perspective of a diverse team working together. I celebrate my personal
This article was republished with the consent of Chambers and Partners.
creamy deliciousness of my grandmother’s bread pudding sprinkled with her sage advice, my diversity is not premised upon genetics. Instead my diversity is defi ned by the life I’ve led, the paths I’ve embarked upon, and the gems I’ve picked up along the way. In 2012, the “new” diversity means much more than just the color of my skin. In addition to being an attorney, I’m a divorced mother
PROFESSIONALS WITH A RICH VARIETY OF
CASE FOR DIVERSITY RECOGNIZES THAT A COMPLEMENT OF
“THE BUSINESS
diversity—the insight I’ve gained through my life’s jour- neys. Although these expe- riences may have initially been shaped by my race and gender, the outcomes are my own. T is collection of distinct ideals defi nes who I am; my rich history makes me a better adviser and a more valuable colleague. From my mother’s diffi cult decision to send me away from California to an all-girls Catholic School in New Orleans to expand my awareness of various cultures, to the
DIVERSITY & THE BAR® JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013
UNIQUE VIEWPOINTS PROVIDES A DISTINCT ADVANTAGE IN THE MARKETPLACE.” —BRIANNA WILLIAMS
of two boys, a freelance designer, a jazz pianist, and a self-confessed tech junkie. My work as a programmer has appeared in the Chemical Physics Letters, I have credits as a designer and performer on nationally released CDs, and I regularly volunteer with the Boy Scouts. On any given day, you may fi nd me advising a major hotel and restaurant chain on its legal rights, designing artwork for a creative profes- sional and teaching him/her how to protect it, helping an educational institution settle a contractual dispute, camping in the wilderness with a rowdy group of young boys, or fronting a jazz band after work. Beyond the fact that I’m an African American-female, I’m diff erent. It is these diff erences, however,
that make me a valuable member of the team. Indeed, my diversity has directly resulted in measur- able value to our fi rm and to our clients. For example, when I took
the lead in drafting an employee handbook for two of the most recognized hotels in the world, I produced not only a top-fl ight legal document, but channeled my experience as a designer to deliver a fully designed print-ready product for distribution. Having been an entertainer in the lobby of an
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