In 1999, FOCUS began a collaborative effort to develop the St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative, as a revitalization of FOCUS' 1997 Covenant 2004 minority business covenant. In 2001, this comprehensive effort began providing area companies with many resources and benefits to increase their own minority business development efforts in terms of hiring, promotions, and purchasing. Annually, member companies submit their numbers in each of these three areas to be reported in the aggregate.

The St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative has produced a best practices booklet and offers a published resource manual. More than 100 area businesses joined the initiative in its first year.

The St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative is now overseen by the St. Louis RCGA. Other collaborative partners who helped in the formation of this program include: Civic Progress, Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois, St. Louis Minority Business Council, St. Louis 2004 and the Regional Business Council.

For more information, visit stlbizdiversity.com.