DEI COMMITTEE MISSION

The DEI Committee’s mission is to foster an awareness and understanding of various perspectives and cultures to create a sense of community and belonging for all. The committee will bring people together to continue the evolving conversation on how we can work together to improve Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Space Coast’s business community.

DEI Committee Resources

In 2022 the DEI Committee created the DEI – Professional Equity Program. The goal of this program is to provide potential MRC professional partners in underserved communities and demographics with the opportunity to explore all the benefits the Chamber has to offer. This will result in diversifying our base while offering financial assistance and engaging programming exposure for participating partners. See below for application.

This sponsorship program includes benefits such as a full year’s basic partnership with MRC, one year of SCORE business consultations, five tickets to attend our Good Morning Space Coast monthly breakfast, and one Supporter Sponsorship at a monthly MRC Small Business Council. The DEI Task Force is seeking to sponsor businesses that consist of being a diversely owned small business with 20 or fewer employees, must have been in business for at least six months, is Brevard County-based, and is registered on Sunbiz.

If you are looking to support a small business in need, the DEI Committee has created different levels of sponsorship opportunities. See below for sponsorships.

DEI Application

DEI Sponsorship Opportunities

Chantal Sheehan

DEI COMMITTEE

A Message from DEI Committee Chair

The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee was born out of an identifiable need to create professional equity for all businesses across the Space Coast. What started as a conversation amongst a few partners and staff of the Melbourne Regional Chamber to create a space where individuals and organizations could be comfortable discussing topics and issues associated with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace grew into a committee with intentional objectives.

Whether or not we realize (or accept) it, the concepts of equity and inclusion are relevant to everyone. DEI work is about recognizing that our unique individual circumstances factor into our ability to succeed. True equality cannot be attained without addressing any limiting factors within those circumstances.

When I first learned about the DEI framework over 15 years ago, it was mind-bending. It was personally and professionally transformational; it was also crazy hard work. Yet, advancing inclusion in our community demands courage and an individual commitment to that work. Change starts within.

DEI is about creating an on-ramp to success for every individual, regardless of circumstance. I believe every leader has a moral and spiritual obligation to have an inclusive mindset. Beyond that imperative, study after study shows that companies and communities that embrace inclusion see dramatic increases in innovation, worker satisfaction, retention, growth, and profits. The question for all business leaders, then, is not, why should we embrace DEI? The question is: can we afford not to?

As a founding DEI task force member, I’m now honored to serve the Space Coast as the 2023 Chairperson of the Chamber’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Our committee seeks to educate and support the advancement of DEI in business so that Space Coast industries, residents, and visitors of all walks of life feel respected, honored, seen, welcomed, and understood. We hope you will join us on this journey to inclusive excellence.

The Melbourne Regional Chamber’s DEI Committee exists to be a facilitator and connector of the best resources for businesses to utilize when seeking to understand diversity, equity, and inclusion. The task force will work to educate and implement best practices on the Space Coast to enable businesses, residents, and visitors to feel respected, honored, acknowledged, and understood.

Sincerely,

Chantal Sheehan

Blue Fox Agile Accounting