Inclusive Opportunity
Abundant talent requires inclusive opportunity.
- Grow minority business enterprises by providing access to customer opportunities and targeted advisory services.
- Expand diversity in middle and high-wage jobs by reducing barriers, sharing best practices on welcoming environments, and developing mentorship networks.
- Ensure digital equity through device donations, affordable broadband access, and digital literacy support for all residents.
Growing Minority Enterprises
GCP is focused on increasing the number, scope, and scale of minority-owned businesses of all sizes. Through the Ohio MBDA Business Center, Business Growth Collaborative, and Emerging Developers Initiatives businesses can access targeted growth resources and advisors. Customer opportunities are provided through supplier initiatives such as CommitCLE, The Inclusion Marketplace, and the CUBE (Construction, Utilities, & Buildings Equity) Initiatives.
Increasing Workforce Diversity
GCP serves as a convener and resource for employers on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our workshops and conferences include quarterly Diversity Professionals Group meetings, the annual GCP Equity & Inclusion Conference and the CEO Forum Series, engaging the region’s leaders to commit to action on racial equity and inclusion. GCP also provides a self-assessment tool to help companies identify their strengths and opportunities for improvement towards their diversity goals.
Ensuring Digital Equity
GCP leads the device donation and advocacy efforts for the Greater Cleveland Digital Equity Coalition, a collective initiative of Cleveland’s corporate, philanthropic, governmental, K-12, higher education, health care, workforce, and community-based organizations. The coalition secures device donations, advocates for affordable, high-quality broadband, and promotes digital navigators to assist residents in both accessing these resources and learning how to use them. It also fosters public-private partnerships towards the goal of 100% of residents being connected.
Diversity is a Source of Economic Strength
For the past 20 years, GCP (and formerly the Commission on Economic Inclusion) has reported on the status of diversity and inclusion efforts in our region through data gathering. All Greater Cleveland Partnership member companies and organizations are invited to participate in the process. Companies that participate receive insights on their organization’s efforts compared to others both within their sector and within the region. The 2022 Equity & Inclusion Organization Assessment opens in February.
Recent News
Ohio and Cuyahoga County announced a $20 million partnership to expand affordable broadband connectivity
GCP is home to the Ohio MBDA Business Center a federally funded partnership to support scaling of MBEs
GCP partnered with Crain’s Cleveland Business to launch a program recognizing businesses for championing diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Through the Digital Equity Coalition, GCP advocates for funding resources for urban and suburban broadband affordability and accessibility.