Diversity, inclusion, and equity must coexist in order to ensure that all people and diverse organizations have a chance to compete in the marketplace. Diversity is merely an acknowledgement of the differences we each have as members of the collective human race. Inclusion is the structure and mechanism that fosters the environment allowing individuals of diverse backgrounds to “sit at the table” without impediments. Equity is the system that allows fair profit, compensation, and ownership. Although American companies have made significant strides in increasing the level of diversity in both their workforces and within their vendor supply chains, more considerable effort is necessary. Recent data obtained from some of the largest corporations in the US reveal that minorities and women continue to remain underrepresented within both the senior executive and managerial levels in many of these organizations.
As a minority-owned firm (“MBE”) and certified federal disadvantaged business enterprise (“DBE”), Meridian recognizes the criticality of diversity, inclusion, and equity. Meridian’s success is attributable in part to two important key factors. First, we embrace diversity within our organization. Our team is comprised of dedicated colleagues who possess a variety backgrounds and professional experiences. Meridian leverages the collective talents of our workforce to empower each of our clients to achieve their full potential. This level of inclusiveness further strengthens our ability to compete in the marketplace. Secondly, Meridian’s clients and strategic partners have recognized the importance of supplier diversity. These commitments are based on a “tone-at-the-top” willingness to ensure that minority- and women-owned firms can participate in large-scale engagements.
