Diversity Is Not Inclusion

Diversity Is Not Inclusion

Opinion Column

By Alicia M. Phidd, Esq.

West Palm Beach, Florida, November 07, 2011- Palm Beach County Bar Association (PBCBA) has come a long way since its inception in 1922. There are more women involved as well as more minorities. Most notably is that today, John Howe, Esq., the president, is an African American man born to Jamaican parents. This speaks to the growth of this county and its bar association.

On Friday, October 14, 2011, PBCBA held its Second Biennial Diversity Summit. The keynote speaker was Florida Supreme Court Justice James E.C. Perry and there was a panel representing the cross-section of practice. I was invited to this event by Florida Bar Board of Governor David C.Prather, Partner, Clark, Fountain, La Vista, Prather, Keen & Littky-Rubin. I am grateful to him for my introduction to the Palm Beach County Legal Community in this manner. When I entered this event, I was met with welcoming arms by Attorney Marjorie S. Desporte, Department of Children and Families and Kathy Clark, Administrative Assistant, Palm Beach County Bar Association.

Keynote Speaker Justice Perry’s address was transparent and beautiful. He told of his journey to Florida’s Supreme Court and he did not sugarcoat it. His story is one of persistence and perseverance. He did not let any negative situation that was perceived to be race motivated affect his drive and outlook in his legal career. Whenever he was overlooked for a position or a judicial position, he viewed the rejection by the hiring team as “making a bad choice.” He encouraged us not to be dismayed when we hear the word “no” because “…no is an answer.” He fears that the perception of justice by our citizens may be tied to the race makeup of the judicial system but presses that no matter what “the court must be perceived to be just.”

The panel segment of the summit was very engaging. The panel gave great suggestions on minorities getting employed, staying employed and employers increasing and including minorities in their firms. A few of the comments resonated with me. Willy Ferrer, Esq., U.S. Attorneys Office Southern District, puts the onus on the hiring committee to ensure they are diversity conscious. This was a very important point that often gets overlooked. The human resources department/recruiter is the gatekeeper and we do not know how a company monitors that division to ensure all qualified applicants are put through regardless of race or gender. Anna D. Torres, Esq., Partner at Powers, McNails,Torres & Teebagy was very vocal and one of her suggestions touched on cover letters. Cover letters are often overlooked as important to the applicant but it is very important to the recruiter. Attorney Torres suggests that the cover letter reflect who you are as a person. She suggests giving some personal experience with limited information to help the reader know who you are quickly. Last but not least is a comment by Ethel Isaacs Williams, Regional Manager, Corporate External Affairs, Florida Power & Light. Attorney Williams suggested that minorities once employed by a company should make sure they are included. She suggests that not only should the company be “committed to you” but you must be committed to them.

The Summit appeared to have met one of its objectives which is the dialogue on including minorities once employed. I wanted to hear more from larger firms on why they believe the attrition rate of African Americans in their firm is so high. I wanted to hear how these larger law firms engage the African American Attorneys to stay included and a part of their company’s process. Perhaps in two years at the next Summit these questions will be answered.

(Picture Above of Atty Shirley Deluna & Atty John Howe taken by Alicia Phidd)

Alicia M. Phidd, Esq. received her B.Sc. in Chemistry and Masters in Environmental Studies from S.U.N.Y. at Stony Brook in New York and Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law in Florida. She is a member of the Florida Bar's Law Related Education Committee. She currently practices Business Law and Immigration Law. In addition, Ms. Phidd has taught law at Barry University, graduate school; University of Phoenix, graduate and undergraduate business school and Broward Community College. She can be reached through her website http://www.aliciaphidd.com and follow her at www.twitter.com/phidd.