Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner took a large gulp of chocolate milk in front of a Chicago crowd Wednesday in order to demonstrate his support for workplace diversity.
During a Black History Month event at the downtown Chicago Thompson Center, Hyatt Hotels diversity and inclusion executive Tyronne Stoudemire discussed workplace diversity alongside Mr. Rauner before using chocolate milk as a metaphor.
“This glass represents corporate America,” Mr. Stoudemire said as he handed the glass off to Mr. Rauner.
“And if you look at any corporate website and look at its leadership team, you see all white men, a few white women, and just maybe an Asian in technology,” Mr. Stoudemire said while pouring milk into the glass.
“This chocolate syrup represents diversity — women, people of color, people with disabilities, the aging population, generation X, Y and Z,” Mr. Stoudemire continued, before squeezing a generous amount of chocolate syrup into the milk.
“When you look at most organizations, diversity sits at the bottom of the organization,” he said. “You don’t get inclusion until you actually stir it up.”
Mr. Rauner then stirred the milk and took a gulp.
“It’s really, really good,” the Republican governor declared. “Diversity!”
“Diversity is the mix, and inclusion is making the mix work,” Mr. Stoudemire concluded.
Mr. Stoudemire told the Chicago Tribune he’s been using the chocolate milk metaphor for 16 years now, but that Mr. Rauner didn’t know about it beforehand.
The governor’s spokeswoman Rachel Bold wrote in a statement, “This was the event moderator’s example of diversity that an audience of all ages could see and understand. It was one of two demonstrations at the event, both of which received ovations from the crowd.”
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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