Jerome Hutchinson, Jr. - SFBJ Diverse Voices Honoree 2023

DIVERSE VOICES Honoree 2023

Jerome Hutchinson, Jr. Founder & Chief Servant Officer

ICABA World Network

In many ways, Jerome “Hutch” Hutchinson Jr. doesn’t just envision equity in the workplace; he’s been helping to make it happen for more than four decades. In 1979, he was a founder of his college NAACP chapter. And in 2009, he created the ICABA World Network as a network that now includes over 1,200 Black professionals and entrepreneurs across the region. His Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summits bring together thought leaders, practitioners, and private and public sector professionals to address issues and share best practices.

It’s not always been easy, but it’s vital. Being diverse can lead others to underestimate your abilities, he said. They might dismiss your skills, or elevate you by dissociating you from others, he added. “‘You’re not like the people from around there. You speak so well,’” he said. “As Black people, we face this all the time.”

Hutchinson’s mission is to offer opportunities that may be lacking. Some miss out on the social networks, the gatherings, even the inside knowledge of what could be available to them, he said. Instead, he tells people, understand what you’re facing and leap that hurdle.

“My entire life has made me sensitive that diversity, equity and inclusion are socioeconomic imperatives,” he said. “Leadership that creates a big tent and embraces a diverse forum for thought and practices will be the most successful going forward.”

Any advice for diverse executives hoping to rise in the professional world? The bottom line in the professional world is two things: how well you contribute to the bottom line, and likeability.

Likeability is huge in the ability of somebody to rise. If you know somebody, have certain experiences, went to the same school, that creates commonality and a natural affinity. We always know that culture emanates from the top. They will take into consideration things that create a culturally diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace.

Why is DE&I not moving forward with the desired velocity? Things are changing. What we need to do is to continue our growth as a society and marketplace for diversity to be embraced. This is essential. It’s not a checked box, but understanding DE&I truly is a pathway to business success.

When your workforce feels comfortable and valued, there’s all kinds of research that tells us they’re more productive.

The very purposeful, intentional efforts on the part of leadership ensure we have a more diverse workforce that’s empowered and valued is the key to our growth and success in maintaining the American excellence that we like to talk about.

What responsibility do you and your peers have to advance DE&I in the business community? I’m very committed to the role of being part of the solution.

The phrase “Be the change you want to see in the world” comes to mind. We have to be involved in making sure that those things are happening, we are advocating, taking responsibility and accountability for what we want to see happening. It can get a little tricky. Politics and personalities can sabotage these efforts. If there’s not a clear cultural mandate from the top, people will begin to play games.

Any advice for diverse executives hoping to rise in the professional world? The bottom line in the professional world is two things: how well you contribute to the bottom line, and likeability.

Likeability is huge in the ability of somebody to rise. If you know somebody, have certain experiences, went to the same school, that creates commonality and a natural affinity.

We always know that culture emanates from the top.

They will take into consideration things that create a culturally diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace.

Why is DE&I not moving forward with the desired velocity? Things are changing. What we need to do is to continue our growth as a society and marketplace for diversity to be embraced. This is essential. It’s not a checked box, but understanding DE&I truly is a pathway to business success. When your workforce feels comfortable and valued, there’s all kinds of research that tells us they’re more productive. The very purposeful, intentional efforts on the part of leadership ensure we have a more diverse workforce that’s empowered and valued is the key to our growth and success in maintaining the American excellence that we like to talk about.

What responsibility do you and your peers have to advance DE&I in the business community? I’m very committed to the role of being part of the solution.

The phrase “Be the change you want to see in the world” comes to mind. We have to be involved in making sure that those things are happening, we are advocating, taking responsibility and accountability for what we want to see happening.

It can get a little tricky. Politics and personalities can sabotage these efforts. If there’s not a clear cultural mandate from the top, people will begin to play games.

SEE ALL HONOREES

By Melanie Dickinson and Jeff Zbar – South Florida Business Journal Jun 16, 2023

South Florida is the epitome of a diverse community. People here hail from across the country, the hemisphere and around the world. And close to 200 languages are spoken throughout the region.

But, like most communities, our diversity extends beyond ethnicity.

The South Florida Business Journal’s 2023 Diverse Voices special section reflects our diversity in business leadership by spotlighting our honorees’ racial, cultural, ethnic and LGBTQ backgrounds, and how that has contributed to their advancement and their companies’ success.

Chosen from across a host of industries influential to the South Florida business community, they help describe and define who we are while exemplifying the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion practices.

Now in its third year, the 2023 Diverse Voices honors program is part of the SFBJ’s ongoing DE&I initiative. In partnership with area businesses and organizations, we host panels that bring to light DE&I best practices. Several special sections throughout the year showcase these individuals, including allies, and offer their impressions on how to make our workplaces more diverse, equitable and inclusive.

And, year after year, we continue to learn from these honorees what it means to create a diverse, inclusive and equitable organization where people feel they belong and are heard.

Attention to DE&I efforts benefits employees, businesses, and communities, even more so among those organizations that make it part of their core values. This broader source of input bolsters innovative thinking, brand development and an enhanced reputation in the community, including among job candidates who see them as an employer of choice.

“South Florida shines as a dynamic and diverse community,” said our partner, Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh, president and CEO of the Urban League of Broward County. “Organizations that have made equity and inclusion part of their core beliefs enjoy rightful praise as employers of choice where people belong, feel comfortable and are confident bringing their full selves to work.”

Thank you to this year’s Diverse Voices supporters: corporate sponsor Wells Fargo, Out of the Box sponsor Amazon, along with partners the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce, the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Urban League of Broward County.

Also, a big thank you to the 14 companies that have partnered with us on this initiative. It’s heartwarming to see so many companies step forward to support these important efforts.

Thank you, as well, to our honorees for their eagerness to participate in open and engaging conversations. They have shown how diversity – their own, and that of their employers – is a strength for them, their organizations and the community we share.

Enjoy their profiles.

-Melanie Dickinson, President and Publisher of the SFBJ