NEWS RELEASE - AIMD Expands Academy Into West Virginia
Contact:
Melanie Harrington, President
American Institute for Managing Diversity, Inc.
1200 W. Peachtree Street, N.W., Suite 3
Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 575-2131
NEWS RELEASE
AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR MANAGING DIVERSITY, INC. EXPANDS ITS DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY INTO WEST VIRGINIA
Charleston, WV (May 8, 2008) – The American Institute for Managing Diversity, Inc. (AIMD), Jackson Kelly PLLC, and the Charleston Area Alliance announced today a partnership to create the Diversity Leadership Academy® West Virginia (DLAWV), a community-based leadership development program in diversity management.
With the help of additional early supporters that include: Appalachian Power, a unit of American Electric Power; Charleston Area Alliance; First Baptist Church; Jackson Kelly PLLC; Merrill Lynch; The Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity; West Virginia State University; and West Virginia State University National Center for Human Relations, the program will provide leaders from the various sectors of the community, including business, education, government, religion, and non-profit, with a state-of-the-art experiential learning and interactive leadership development opportunity designed to build competencies in diversity management.
Patterned after the Diversity Leadership Academy® programs that have been replicated in other states, the DLAWV program will provide the greater Kanawha Valley and others from around the state with a new resource to build diversity management capabilities that will develop bonds across differences that lead to dialogue, networks, and actions to strengthen the communities of West Virginia.
“We are excited to extend the Diversity Leadership Academy concept into the state of West Virginia,” said Dr. R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr., founder of AIMD and noted diversity expert. “We’ve been extremely pleased with the success of the DLA programs in other communities across the country and look forward to making a meaningful contribution to the greater West Virginia community.”
Cheryl Ledbetter, Chair of the Diversity Committee at Jackson Kelly PLLC commented, “We are excited about partnering with a world-renowned institute like the American Institute for Managing Diversity to bring to our community a program that will impact not only the individuals participating, but also their spheres of influence, whether that is their companies, organizations, communities or home. It’s our duty as a responsible corporate citizen to give back and contribute to communities we serve and communities in which our employees work and live”
The Diversity Leadership Academy® was formed in 2001 with a $1.5 million grant from The Coca-Cola Company to AIMD. Since its inception the program has graduated more than 1000 leaders from all sectors of society and made meaningful contributions to communities through projects designed to solidify participants’ skills while also helping to address community issues.
“The Charleston Area Alliance is proud to support the Diversity Leadership Academy,” said Matt Ballard, President and CEO. “Our mission is to build a more vibrant community and prosperous economy, and we need the participation of all community members to achieve it. Research has shown that diverse teams, which bring in people with different skills, experience and perspective, achieve superior results. The DLA is a catalyst for helping communities bridge differences and embrace the potential of diversity.”
Ron English, community leader and former pastor of First Baptist Church added, “It's encouraging to see such a wide cross section of organizations in the community address diversity in the way that the DLAWV early supporters have. Their attention and commitment toward constructive dialogue on diversity is desperately needed to build bridges for healing the racial divide in our community and country.” The DLAWV fall 2008 classes will be held on the following dates: Orientation/Reception July 31; class one August 21; class two September 18; class three October 7; class four November 6; and class five December 4. AIMD is accepting applications now. For more information about the Diversity Leadership Academy® and the inaugural class of the Diversity Leadership Academy West Virginia, or for individuals interested in applying to participant in the program, contact the American Institute for Managing Diversity at (404) 575-2131 or visit www.aimd.org.
ABOUT AIMD
The American Institute for Managing Diversity is the nation’s first and leading nonprofit think tank dedicated to the advancement of diversity management. Through research, education, and public outreach, AIMD seeks to advance diversity thought leadership. Founded in 1984 by Dr. R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr., AIMD has educated both the public and the business community about the power and the potential of diversity management for more than two decades. AIMD will continue to expand the Diversity Leadership Academy in other cities and with other corporations. If interested, visit www.aimd.org for more information or call (404) 575-2131.
ABOUT Jackson Kelly PLLC
The capital of West Virginia, Charleston has been home to Jackson Kelly since its genesis, nearly two centuries ago. The Firm still has its roots in Charleston, with its headquarters located in the heart of the downtown commercial area. Jackson Kelly's headquarters is home to
nearly 90 attorneys and 170 staff. The Office serves as the base for many of the Firm's practices, including those in the Business, Environmental, Litigation, Occupational Safety and Health, and Workers' Compensation Departments. For more information about Jackson Kelly PLLC visit the website at www.jacksonkelly.com
ABOUT The Charleston Area Alliance
The Charleston Area Alliance is a multi-faceted economic, business, and community development organization, as well as the largest regional Chamber of Commerce in West Virginia. Our organization is made up of more than 700 members representing 40,000 employees. Our mission is to create a more vibrant community and prosperous economy. For more information about the Charleston Area Alliance visit the website at www.charlestonareaalliance.org.
