Human Diversity Matters

Diversity matters to every single one of us.  Our industry makes us unique in that we are able to appeal to each and every person in one way or another.  Our publications reach diverse audiences all over the world. Therefore, when a group or segment of our diverse population is excluded, all of us are denied.

For our businesses to not only survive, but to thrive, each of us needs to be aware and sensitive to all members of our industry. This means that we all need to learn to accept what is different from us and respect it.  When all segments are respected and utilized, it benefits everyone involved.

The U.S. population of color surpassed the 100-million mark in May 2007.  Today, one in every three Americans is a person of color.

Consider the following:

Hispanics/Latinos now comprise nearly 13 percent of the U.S. population, which grew to 284.8 million in July 2001 (up from 35.3 million, or 12.5 percent of the country's 281.4 million residents in April 2000).

African Americans and Blacks (of all diasporas) make up 12.7 percent of the nation's population, up from 12.6 percent in April 2000. The Black population grew by 700,000 in the 15 months after Census 2000 was released. 

Asians are the next largest minority group after African Americans/Blacks and Hispanics/Latinos, at about 12.1 million, or 4 percent of the population.

Caucasians remained the largest single population group, numbering about 199.3 million in July 2001, nearly 70 percent of all U.S. residents. 

Your organization can keep risks at a minimum by understanding what diversity is, why it matters, and how to effectively manage your business in terms of diversity.