The Junior Economic Club of Chicago Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement
At the Junior Economic Club of Chicago, we believe in equal access opportunities that empower the next generation of effective leaders. We are a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community where all members, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, or disability, feel valued and respected. We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach providing equal opportunity for business, finance, and entrepreneurship in all of our programming. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard.
We’re committed to modeling diversity and inclusion and maintaining an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for everyone.
To provide informed, authentic leadership for cultural equity, the Junior Economic Club of Chicago strives to
See diversity and inclusion as connected to our mission and critical to ensuring the well-being of our members and the Chicago community that we serve.
Explore potential underlying assumptions that interfere with inclusiveness.
Advocate for and support board-level thinking about how systemic inequities impact our organization’s work, and how best to address that in a way that is consistent with the JEC mission.
Challenge assumptions about what it takes to be a strong leader at JEC, and who is well-positioned to provide leadership.
Practice and encourage transparent communication in all interactions, including those at our board meetings, forums, member engagement events, and community initiatives.
Commit time to expand more diverse leadership within our board and ambassadors.
Lead with respect and tolerance. We expect all leadership and members to embrace this notion and to express it in all educational and JEC interactions and through everyday practices.
The Junior Economic Club of Chicago abides by the following action items to help promote diversity and inclusion in our community
Pursue cultural competency throughout our organization by creating diverse learning opportunities in all of our events.
Generate quantitative and qualitative research related to equity to make incremental, measurable progress toward the visibility of our diversity, inclusion, and equity efforts.
Expand offerings for underrepresented schools and communities by connecting with them through our community initiative programs.
Holding mandatory bi-monthly events that present lessons on diversity, inclusion, and equity to all members of JEC.
Develop a system for being more intentional and conscious of bias during the JEC admissions process.
Advocate for business sector policy that promotes diversity, inclusion, and equity.
Member Expectations
I will not utilize any form of racial epithets or derogatory language, and I am subject to expulsion from the club should I engage in this behavior.
I will recognize my implicit biases, and work towards eliminating them
I will embrace differences by taking the opportunity to understand the cultural differences and backgrounds of my fellow members.
I will both celebrate and support the many differences others bring to the table.
I will recognize that diversity includes many categories such as [but not limited to] language, race, color, national origin, religion, gender identity, physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, etc.
If someone informs me that I have harmed them, I will put my best efforts into understanding why my action was harmful and what I can do to repair the relationship.
I will act with honesty, integrity, and a commitment to make sure that others’ voices are heard regardless of their identities.
I will take what I have learned from the JEC Diversity and Inclusion events and apply the lessons to every part of my life.
As a part of the Junior Economic Club’s pledge to create a more aware and involved member base, we are holding bi-monthly diversity and inclusion events that aim to educate our members on the importance of diversity in the workplace and in the world around them. Attending at least one of these events is mandatory for membership in the club, in addition to signing this diversity and inclusion pledge.