2008 RACE AND BUSINESS PROGRAM RECAP AND VIDEO

The Chicago United Race and Business Forums Series, The Convergence of Race, Business & Politics in 2008, features dynamic speakers who will discuss diversity, leadership and business opportunity in America. This exciting series provides a venue for Chicago’s corporate leaders to discuss the socio-political transformation of race and business in Chicago since 1968 and gain insight as they strive to increase Chicago’s reputation as a global city.

June 24, 2008

Earl Jones, President & Market Manager, Clear Channel Radio Chicago Was Featured in the Final 2008 Race and Business Forum, “The Corporate Experience – My Journey”

The Chicago United Race and Business Forums 2008 Series, The Convergence of Race, Business & Politics, featured Earl Jones, President & Market Manager, Clear Channel Radio Chicago on June 24.

Jones described his personal story, his professional development and provided insights into his journey to becoming a black executive in senior management in corporate leadership.

In describing one fear that motivates him Jones shares, “If I fail, I don’t just fail for me, I fail for everyone who looks like me.” “You’ve got to treat success and failure the same,” says Jones. “Always consider the lesson in why you won and why you failed.”

April 17, 2008

Roland Martin, CNN Contributor and WVON-AM/1690 Radio Show Host and author of the bestselling book Speak Brother! A Black Man's View of America Gets Candid at Race and Business Forum “A Black Man’s View of Race, Business and Politics”

Chicago United’s audience experienced straight talk from Roland Martin first-hand during the April 17, Race and Business Forum titled, A Black Man's View of Race, Business and Politics sponsored by JP Morgan Chase. CNN Contributor and WVON-AM/1690 Radio Show Host and author of the bestselling book Speak Brother! A Black Man's View of America, Roland Martin joined Gloria Castillo, president of Chicago United for a one-hour discussion that touched issues from the current election to immigration, entrepreneurship and becoming CEO of ‘You, Inc.’

Check out the following videos from the event:

< Corporate America and Race Today (5:42) >
< Immigration and the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (10:19) >
< Be your own CEO (9:48) >

February 7, 2008

Ralph Alvarez, President and Chief Operating Officer, McDonald’s Corporation
Affirms McDonald's Success at Diversity and Inclusion is a Competitive Advantage

“McDonald’s called me because my last name is Alvarez, and I’m proud of that.” So said Ralph Alvarez, McDonald’s president and chief operating officer, to a select group of senior executives at a recent CEO luncheon roundtable sponsored by Chicago United and hosted by Ariel Capital Management.

Alvarez offered a candid and informative overview of ways the world’s No. 1 quick service restaurant company uses diversity and inclusion to its competitive advantage. He first shared his thoughts with top leaders of some of the companies that participated in the 2006 Chicago United Corporate Diversity Profile (CDP). The CDP bi-annually assesses the inclusion of people of color in corporate Chicago’s leadership ranks. The 2008 CDP will be released in the third quarter.

Alvarez, a 2005 Chicago United Business Leader of Color, said McDonald’s commitment to diversity at all levels includes dedication to developing its own leaders of color as well as minority business enterprises.
“Diversity is easy to talk about at McDonald’s,” he said. “The company really lives it. To me, it’s not an option to get involved in diversity.”

About 25 percent of the company’s officers and seven of its 13 board directors are women and people of color, he said. He added that annual performance reviews measure a manager’s ability to reach diversity and inclusion goals.

Sales at McDonald’s domestic restaurants have been the highlight of its recent results. The president of McDonald’s USA is African- American, and eight of the company’s 22 regional managers – each of whom oversees at least 800 restaurants – are African-American, Alvarez told the group.
“Diversity has been a huge competitive advantage,” he said, adding that the company’s leaders of color serve as magnets to attract other top talent.

Alvarez reflected that the creation of minority-owned franchises was driven by the company’s realization years ago that strong, community-based leadership translates into business success. Today, he noted, McDonald’s African-American franchisees, as a group, represent the largest black-owned retail group in the market. The same is true for their Hispanic counterparts.

“The need to better serve our diverse customers in their communities was driven by economics,” Alvarez said. “Our first minority franchisees brought a better understanding of and commitment to their communities.”

Ariel’s Chairman and Chief Investment Officer, John W. Rogers, Jr., serves on McDonald’s board of directors. He noted that leaders of color at McDonald’s are “strong willed, dynamic people.” He asked Alvarez how the company fosters those kinds of leaders.

“Leaders of each employee diversity network are encouraged to knock on my door or (Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman Jim) Skinner’s door,” he replied, adding that those leaders are at the vice president level or higher. “You have to be strong-willed. We need these diverse leaders to inspire and help bring in other folks and talented people of color to experience career opportunities.”

Every year, Chicago United seeks to help close the gap between race and business with a fierce brand of discussion. This year marks Chicago United’s 40th Anniversary. Under the theme, Torchbearers of the Dream: Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future, Chicago United continues its commitment to spearhead reforms and diversity initiatives to transform the city.

The views and opinions expressed by the speakers who participate in Chicago United events do not necessarily express the views and opinions of Chicago United members.