FOCUS St. Louis views diversity within the St. Louis Region as an asset and we strongly believe in access and opportunity for all. Our board, staff, and committee compositions all reflect this value, and each major leadership development program includes a program day centered on issues of diversity.

FOCUS brought the issue of racial equality to the forefront with the release of a citizen-based study in 2001, "Racial Equality in the St. Louis Region: A Community Call to Action."

In addition, we provide the St. Louis community with numerous ways to enhance diversity awareness. Our Bridges Across Racial Polarization® program offers an opportunity for meaningful interracial dialogue. We also have a long history of engaging citizens to research and implement positive change on issues of race. Other FOCUS initiatives and collaborative efforts affirm racial equality and social justice as a key factor in our region’s success.

Historical FOCUS Initiatives

RACIAL EQUITY COLLABORATIVE (REC) — The collaborative was comprised of representatives from FOCUS St. Louis, The National Conference for Community and Justice-St. Louis region, The Anti-Defamation League of Missouri and Southern Illinois, Aspen Institute Roundtable on Comprehensive Community Initiatives, and RegionWise.

VALUING OUR DIVERSITY TASK FORCE — The Valuing Our Diversity task force was an exciting, volunteer-driven initiative of FOCUS St. Louis’ which produced the organization's most extensive policy report to date.

ST. LOUIS BUSINESS DIVERSITY INITIATIVE — This program, conceived by FOCUS and its collaborative partners, provides area companies with resources and benefits to increase their minority business development efforts in terms of hiring, promotions, and purchasing.

Related Resources

	The Southern Poverty Law Center Operates a website in partnership with several top tech media companies like Yahoo and Cisco. The site is designed to expose hate groups and provide practical tools to promote racial harmony.
	The National Conference for Community and Justice The NCCJ has just published Mirrors and Windows, a guide to multicultural books and activities for children and young adults. A must for educators and anyone wanting to learn more about improving intergroup relations. Its free and available from NCCJ by calling 314-241-5103.
	Race in America: A Roundtable Discussion If there is a race problem in America today, what is it? Atlantic Unbound has invited The Atlantics Nicholas Lemann and a panel of distinguished commentators to take up this question - one of the central, most divisive of our time.