Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The Buffalo Niagara Partnership is committed to creating awareness about the competitive advantage of having a diverse, equitable, and inclusive regional business climate through employer education, talent recruitment, and procurement.
The benefits of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce are well-known and include enhanced innovation, increased competitive advantage, higher employee engagement, and improved talent attraction and retention.
However, recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce continues to be a major challenge and priority for our members. In response to our members’ needs, we have created several programs designed to advance best practices and enable employers to leverage diversity for competitive advantage and promote a workplace culture of inclusion and engagement.
Inclusive Impact Symposium
BNP joins industry leaders, and HR professionals for their 2025 Inclusive Impact Symposium. This dynamic roundtable event will feature several rounds of Impact Chats – interactive knowledge sharing tables where participants can share insights, learn practical strategies, and grow your professional network. Breakfast is included.  Topics will include navigating the new changing employment, embracing the full spectrum of every individual in the workplace, and best practice sharing for leaders with a distinct goal. Â
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Assessment:
Originally undertaken in 2020, the WNY DEI Community Assessment has been released with updated data that indicates there has been significant progress and interest on behalf of local employers to move past “learning” and into action.
Minority Business Initiative:
This initiative seeks to help break through the barriers that have historically challenged minority business ownership and create a pathway to board membership for participants. By giving minority-owned businesses greater access to BNP’s resources, the program’s underwriters aim to help multiply the participant’s success.
Thank you to our 2024 DEI Symposium Sponsors
PRESENTING SPONSORS
EVENT SPONSORS
From the Blog
2022 D&I Symposium: Meet John F. Somers, Panelist
The BNP is pleased to welcome John Somers is President and CEO of Harmac Medical Products, Inc., as a panelist at our 2022 D&I Symposium: DEI at Work. We will be helping you get to know each presenter, panelist, and moderator in the weeks ahead, leading up to the 5th Annual
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2022 D&I Symposium: Meet Ekua Mends-Aidoo , Featured Speaker
The BNP is pleased to welcome Ekua Mends-Aidoo, Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer for Evergreen Health as a featured speaker at our 2022 D&I Symposium: DEI at Work. We will be helping you get to know each presenter, panelist, and moderator in the weeks ahead, leading up to the 5th Annual
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2022 D&I Symposium: Meet Trina Burruss, Featured Speaker
The BNP is pleased to welcome Trina Burruss, COO, United Way as a featured speaker at our 2022 D&I Symposium: DEI at Work. We will be helping you get to know each presenter, panelist, and moderator in the weeks ahead, leading up to the 5th Annual D&I Symposium on June 16th
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2022 D&I Symposium: Meet Rene Petties Jones, Featured Presenter
The BNP is pleased to welcome Rene Petties Jones, President, National Federation for Just Communities of Western NY as a featured speaker at our 2022 D&I Symposium: DEI at Work. We will be helping you get to know each presenter, panelist, and moderator in the weeks ahead, leading up to the
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