Written by Tom Edd Wilson, President and CEO, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce (exerpts)

Most Chambers of Commerce aren’t considered strongholds of diversity. But I’d like to suggest to you today that the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce is moving away from their image of homogeneity – and in fact, the Chattanooga Chamber is much more inclusive in its primary mission than popular perceptions would have you believe.

What is our mission? It’s basically to promote job growth that leads to a more prosperous community. The Chamber’s primary role is nurturing new businesses, supporting existing businesses and recruiting outside businesses to the Chattanooga area – and we perform that role for all kinds of businesses with all kinds of products and all kinds of owners that employ all kinds of people.

So I submit that as we carry out our most fundamental function we are supporting and encouraging and promoting diversity. Certainly, women- and minority-owned businesses represent a potential for job growth that has not been fully realized. Still, there is encouraging news: women-owned firms in Tennessee are growing more rapidly than the national average. These businesses employ over 196,000 people and generate almost $24 billion in sales. Our state ranks 11^th in the U.S. in growth of women-owned firms.

The Chattanooga Chamber supports women in business in any number of ways; nurturing women-owned start-up companies at the Business Development Center, electing women to leadership roles on our board/committees, presenting the Athena Award annually to an individual who has mentored women and encouraged them to realize their leadership potential. I might also add that the Chamber and the Chattanooga African-American Chamber enjoy reciprocal board representation.

Now, let me speak for a moment about another way the Chamber is involved in diversity. As the Chamber goes about its business of encouraging business, we have no greater secondary role than developing an able workforce. Why? Because our members tell me that nothing is more challenging to them than locating good employees. The retirement of the Baby Boom generation means there are fewer job seekers entering the marketplace. At the same time, global competition means that we need workers with math, computer and critical thinking skills more than ever before.

What does that have to do with the Chamber and diversity? There’s no institution in Chattanooga more diverse population because than our public school system. And the Chattanooga Chamber is working hard to improve educational opportunities for those students.