MLK diversity breakfast speaker promotes equity and inclusion
Keynote speaker Ashford Hughes promoted equity and inclusion at the annual MLK Diversity breakfast hosted by Lipscomb University’s Department of Communication and Journalism and College of Liberal Arts & Sciences on Jan. 17.
Anna Moseley |
“For we know now, that it isn't enough to integrate lunch counters. What does it profit a man to be able to eat at an integrated lunch counter if he doesn't have enough money to buy a hamburger?” Martin Luther King Jr.
Keynote speaker Ashford Hughes shared this quote at the annual MLK Diversity breakfast hosted by Lipscomb University’s Department of Communication and Journalism and College of Liberal Arts & Sciences on Jan. 17.
Area professionals and Lipscomb University faculty and staff members gathered in Lipscomb’s Ezell Center to honor King and to gain insight into the work Hughes is doing to carry out King’s mission in the Nashville community.
Hughes, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for the Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County Mayor’s Office, encouraged us to rise above the concept of diversity to one of equity and inclusion.
“We need to move beyond the diversity that at times has become an industry buzzword,” said Hughes. “For the Nashville leaders within this community, I ask that when we talk about moving forward toward action, that we move hastily and intentionally towards equity and inclusion.
51 years ago, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “All Labor Has Dignity” speech at Bishop Charles Mason Temple of the Church of God in Christ in Memphis, Tennessee. King is known for being a civil rights advocate, but he also fought hard for economic justice, said Hughes.
“Economic justice for black and brown peoples was always a focal point of King’s message that oftentimes gets overlooked or pacified within the history books,” said Hughes. “Dr. King needs to be remembered as an intentional and tenacious fighter for quality jobs, career and family sustaining wages, and full support for black and brown businesses. For Dr. King and within his vision, economic justice was social justice.”
In his position as chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer, Hughes is working closely with community groups and organizations to ensure equal access to city programs and services and for economic equality.
One of the latest steps taken in Nashville was last April when Mayor David Briley signed an executive order forming the Minority Business Advisory Council.
The council meets quarterly to outline “the challenges and opportunities for minority business growth as well as proposals to improve, among other areas, contracting opportunities with Metro, entrepreneurship, access to workforce training and talent, technological support, and access to capital,” according to Nashville.gov.
On Jan. 11, Mayor Briley signed the city’s first Equal Business Opportunity Program into law, another action step Hughes praised in his talk. This program acts as an initiative to increase the number of government contracts given to minority-and women-owned businesses in Davidson County.
Hughes challenged his audience to learn and question the policies and procedures in place and ask ourselves, are we really serving all people?
“I want to leave you with a charge to move to action,” said Hughes. “Move to the actions that Dr. King was fighting for until his last months, last weeks and last hours of his life.”
After the MLK Diversity Breakfast, Ashford shared his story of faith in Lipscomb’s Multicultural Awareness, Skills and Knowledge chapel with more than 75 student and then attended a student diversity luncheon. He encouraged them to embrace the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. and to continue fighting for equity and inclusion.