December 17, 2020 – Ulmer & Berne LLP is proud to announce that the firm has been awarded Profiles in Diversity Journal’s Innovations in Diversity Award, which honors organizations that have developed innovative solutions in the area of workforce diversity, inclusion, and human equity.
Ulmer was selected as one of the Top 10 Innovations in Diversity Award winners for its “Stop the Hate” program series that was launched this year to examine the rise of hate and bigotry in our society and respond with meaningful discussions on how to fight acts of injustice, racism, and discrimination. The series, presented by the firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, kicked off with three thought-provoking webinars examining timely topics including U.S. immigration policy, racial discrimination, and legal requirements for voting, protesting, and administering the 2020 presidential election.
“The DEI Committee was compelled to address these difficult topics after witnessing so many acts of hate and violence in our country – from discrimination against religious, LGBTQ, and immigrant communities to police brutality against Black citizens,” said Timothy J. Downing, Ulmer’s Chief Diversity Officer. “We felt it was important to tackle these critical issues head-on and bring them to the forefront of our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. We are incredibly honored that our programs are being recognized for inspiring open and honest dialogue about discrimination and inequality that can help move this country forward.”
In these useful programs, attendees learned about family separation at the U.S.-Mexico border, the recent Supreme Court decision on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, barriers to voting that have a disproportionate impact on racial minorities, social protest and First Amendment rights, and personal stories of fighting racism and discrimination.
The first set of “Stop the Hate” webinars brought together speakers including not only Ulmer’s skilled attorneys but also activists in the trenches such as Cullen Jones, a trailblazing African-American competition swimmer and Olympic gold medalist, who shared his passion for bringing more diversity to the sport of swimming and his experience overcoming racism as a professional athlete. The “Stop the Hate” series will conclude in 2021 with a webinar on anti-Semitism and a culminating session to celebrate the close of the program. More information on these programs will be released in the new year.
“In encouraging critical thinking on these important topics, we hoped we could promote diversity, equity, and inclusion both at Ulmer and beyond the walls of our firm,” said Inajo Davis Chappell, Chair of Ulmer’s DEI Committee. “We are inspired by the response we have received from our ‘Stop the Hate’ events and remain dedicated to providing unique, meaningful, and informative diversity programming that enhances our culture of inclusion.”
Now in its 22nd year of publication, Profiles in Diversity Journal highlights the individuals and teams within organizations that create, develop, and promote strategies and initiatives that support diversity, inclusion, and equity in the community. To read Ulmer’s feature in Profiles in Diversity Journal, please click here. To learn more about Ulmer’s Diversity & Inclusion program, please click here.