United in diversity

One day, walking into the United Way of Greater St. Louis office will be like walking into an international airport.

“You’ll see signs in difference languages and that it’s an inviting and inclusive place,” said Orvin Kimbrough, the senior vice president of major gifts & planned giving and marketing & communications of United Way of Greater St. Louis.

“That’s the United Way that we dream of, and that’s the United Way that we are all working toward under the leadership of Gary Dollar, our president and CEO.”

On Wednesday, Nov. 10, United Way will receive the Corporate Diversity award at the St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Business luncheon.

The award ceremony will be held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at 12 p.m., with a networking event from at 11 a.m. to noon.

“This award reflects the importance of inclusion of all ethnic groups and reflects the continuing critical importance of the role immigrants play in any community,” said St. Louis American Foundation President Donald M. Suggs said.

“The United Way exemplifies the acceptance of the value of welcoming a diversity range of immigrants to St. Louis and at all levels in its own organization.”

United Way not only models a diverse staff and board, but it also helps foster greater corporate diversity by setting up multicultural United Way groups within companies themselves.

Since 1994, the Charmaine Chapman/African-American Leadership Giving Society – closely followed by the Women’s Leadership Giving Society – has led this effort in the region, while also becoming United Way’s largest African-American giving initiative in the country. Now with the launch of the Multicultural Leadership Society last year, the local United Way is barreling towards its goal of a united, inclusive, giving consciousness.

“No matter what your background is or what language you speak, we are looking at the same thing – having a diverse mindset and helping people,” said Ninoska Clarkin, a native of Bolivia, who joined the Multicultural Leadership Society last year.

At Clarkin’s workplace, Edward Jones, the response has been amazing, she said. This year, as of Oct. 4, Edward Jones’ Multicultural Society has served up $203,000 to United Way’s programs, more than any other company’s Multicultural Society affinity group.

In its first year, the Multicultural Society raised $800,000 and reeled in about 500 members.

“The goal there is to be inclusive, to bring the community into the United Way where we can talk about needs and we can identify what the needs are across the community with everyone,” said Gary Dollar, president and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis.

Nurturing a new crop of community leaders goes hand in hand with the creation of the Multicultural Society.

“New people stepping up and getting involved – that makes the United Way stronger and that makes the entire community stronger,” Dollar said.

Clarkin said one of the greatest things the society has accomplished is bringing people of diverse backgrounds together. The Asian-American, Hispanic, African-American communities all have their own separate affinity groups, but this “brings everyone together,” she said.

She said many people who have come from other countries are looking for ways to give back to the community that has supported them.

“It’s not a duty – it’s a privilege,” Clarkin said. “It’s a privilege to give back to a country that has opened its arms to my family.”

For the society’s chairman Arindam Kar, an attorney with Bryan Cave, the Multicultural Leadership Society accomplishes three main goals. First, it raises awareness about how many different cultures live in St. Louis. It allows United Way to better identify the needs in the diverse communities. And it accomplishes the United Way’s traditional goal of raising funds that stay within the community.

The society is hosting educational forums to give people a snapshot of various cultural communities in the area. In September, the society led a forum focusing on the local Hispanic community. In January, it will be on the Bosnian community.

Within companies, the society helps to identify hidden pockets of diversity.

“Oftentimes folks didn’t even realize there as is much diversity at their companies,” Kar said. “It has been great for companies to promote that diversity not only for the United Way, but also to recognize the value diversity brings to the workplace.”

All of these efforts help people who are voiceless and are at risk of falling through the cracks, said Kimbrough at the society’s INSPIRE fashion show on Oct. 8.

“I was one of those growing up in foster care and destined to be nothing because Mom died early and Dad wasn’t around,” Kimbrough said.

Kimbrough stayed in two orphanages that United Way supports.

He said, “Ultimately my own drive and those relationships have gotten me to where I am today. You have stories of trial and tribulations and people helping you in life’s journey.”

United Way helps more than 1 million people a year, just like Kimbrough.

The St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Business luncheon will be held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at 12 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, with a networking event from at 11 a.m. to noon. General seating is $75, tables of 10 are $750. Preferred seating is $100/$1,000. Call 314-533-8000 ext. 305.