Focus: HOPE has been a leader in the community for more than 50 years. Founded in 1968 after the previous year’s riots in Detroit, residents were concerned the racial friction would re-emerge one year later. As a result, three individuals, banned together to combat racism, injustice and to bring economic stability to those impoverished. Now, in 2022, Focus: HOPE has continued to be a force for both civil and human rights. Announcing a stake in diversity, inclusion, and equity, the non-profit will now use technology to broaden its scope and reach.
The Michigan-based nonprofit organization is doing its part to merge technology and DEI as a response to the increasing interest around corporations and their push to include more persons of color in their ranks. Focus: HOPE is bringing a new method for training through its #GoPro DEI training.
“The public’s heartbreak over the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others segued to important national discussions about economic justice,” says Portia Roberson, CEO of Focus: HOPE. “We are doing our part by helping our partner companies become more inclusive. This is an important step for any company looking to move the needle in 2022 and a great way to honor Black History Month.”
The idea for the program emerged from conversations with Focus: HOPE and GM Financial, or GMF, the financial services portion of General Motors. Since June 2020, General Motors has been clear about its stance in DEI as the company pushes to become the most inclusive company across the world.
“This partnership has been absolutely critical to our work at GM Financial,” says Shunda Robinson, GM Financial Global Senior Vice President of DE&I. “Helping our leaders understand the lived experiences of team members is essential to GM Financial’s overall DE&I strategy.”
General Motors Financial is not new to this service. Having received the training several times since 2020, GMF is now planning its 2022 #GoPro schedule. The CEO of Focus: HOPE hopes the #GoPro training will help to increase diversity and invest in the community.
“We see this as a sound strategy not only for promoting economic mobility among marginalized groups in the workforce, but also a way to help companies diversify their talent, broaden their perspective, and hopefully improve services and increase their market share as a result,” says Roberson. “Additionally, partnering with Focus: HOPE for #GoPro is a wonderful way to give back to the community because of all the service work we are doing in the region.”
The series will regularly feature thought leaders like Jamon Jordan, Detroit’s official historian; Peter Hammer, Director of Damon J. Keith Center at Wayne State School of Law; Benjamin Evans, co-founder of BMe Community; Dessa Cosma, Founder and Executive Director of Detroit Disability Power; Rhiannon Chester, Fellowship Manager for Detroit Equity Action Lab (DEAL); and Marvin Cotton, recent exoneree and Founder of Better not Broken.
“#GoPro helps leaders understand retention barriers faced by BIPOC, women, queer, and disabled people, encouraging companies to become proactive about inclusion,” says Jasahn Larsosa, Focus: HOPE’s Director of Advocacy, Equity, & Community Empowerment and chief curator of the series.
Focus: HOPE received support from GM Financial, Meritor, and General Dynamics Land Systems to offer this training and is aiming to add 3 to 5 companies to its client portfolio for 2022.
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