Region of Choice initiative
Background & Data
Background & Data
In 2019, MMAC surveyed its board of directors and 500 corporate leaders who identified racial disparity as one of the region’s biggest liabilities. We then formed a working group to identify and recommend actions that would help employers and the region improve metro Milwaukee as a location of choice for diverse talent.
THE DATA
We compared Milwaukee to 20 of its peer regions using seven measures of economic prosperity across each ethnic group (white, African American, Hispanic). We then ranked each region on these measures. Milwaukee ranked 6th among peer regions for the prosperity of its white population and last for the African American and Hispanic populations. Milwaukee also had the largest gap in prosperity between its white and African American and white and Hispanic populations.
THE DATA
We compared Milwaukee to 20 of its peer regions using seven measures of economic prosperity across each ethnic group (white, African American, Hispanic). We then ranked each region on these measures. Milwaukee ranked 6th among peer regions for the prosperity of its white population and last for the African American and Hispanic populations. Milwaukee also had the largest gap in prosperity between its white and African American and white and Hispanic populations.
THE RESEARCH
MMAC engaged consulting firms with extensive experience in diversity, equity and inclusion to create a baseline of information from diverse talent on the barriers, challenges and opportunities of working and living in metro Milwaukee. This project included:
MMAC engaged consulting firms with extensive experience in diversity, equity and inclusion to create a baseline of information from diverse talent on the barriers, challenges and opportunities of working and living in metro Milwaukee. This project included:
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KEY SURVEY TAKEAWAYS
From more than 1,000 diverse managers responding:
From more than 1,000 diverse managers responding:
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60%
believe that diversity and inclusion efforts at their company are focused on meeting compliance goals, not on improving company culture |
62%
of African American managers feel they have limited exposure to opportunity |
56%
of Hispanic/Latino managers feel they are overlooked or ignore |
43%
of diverse managers felt discrimination or bias in their workplace |
64%
of diverse managers felt discrimination in the community. |
THE GOAL: By 2025, increase diverse management by 25% and diverse employment by 15%
Research shows that African American and Latino/Hispanic communities in the Milwaukee Region have a significant gap in economic prosperity measures as compared to 20 peer regions across the country. While we strive to make progress in every aspect of diversity, this pledge is intended to address the acute disparities facing African American and Latino/Hispanic professionals in our community.
Research shows that African American and Latino/Hispanic communities in the Milwaukee Region have a significant gap in economic prosperity measures as compared to 20 peer regions across the country. While we strive to make progress in every aspect of diversity, this pledge is intended to address the acute disparities facing African American and Latino/Hispanic professionals in our community.
RESEARCH
Read the full report >>
A 2018 survey of the MMAC’s Board members and CEOs of its member companies identified racial disparities as the biggest challenge facing the Milwaukee Region. Based on that feedback, MMAC formed a taskforce to conduct comprehensive research on the challenges and opportunities that diverse management employees face in Metro Milwaukee through a survey, focus groups and listening sessions.
Read the full report >>
A 2018 survey of the MMAC’s Board members and CEOs of its member companies identified racial disparities as the biggest challenge facing the Milwaukee Region. Based on that feedback, MMAC formed a taskforce to conduct comprehensive research on the challenges and opportunities that diverse management employees face in Metro Milwaukee through a survey, focus groups and listening sessions.
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MMAC compared metro Milwaukee to 20 peer regions on seven measures of prosperity across White, African American and Hispanic populations based on seven indicators, including:
1. Managers & officials 2. Management, business, science, art occupations 3. Unemployment 4. Bachelor’s degree of higher 5. Singe, female-headed households with children 6. Owner-occupied housing 7. Poverty rate |
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