Worcester chamber launches diversity roundtable

Tim Murray said it is important for the chamber to serve all portions of the region's business community.

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By Sam Bonacci

The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce this week is launching a professional business community for senior to mid-level professionals of color in the Worcester regional area.

The kickoff event for the Diverse Professionals Roundtable (DPR) will take place Thursday at the Beechwood Hotel. The DPR is a professional association, sponsored by the chamber and UMass Memorial Medical Center, committed to the development of professional and personal relationships among senior leaders of racial and ethnic diversity in Central Massachusetts, according to a release from the chamber.

Chamber President and CEO Timothy Murray said the new initiative is reflective of a growing and diverse business community. Having a variety of professional support groups is important, he said.

“As we become a more diverse community and business community we want to make sure we are serving members in ways that will be helpful to them but this is also something we have heard from the business recruitment side,” said Murray.

The group will serves as a resource for the business, educational, and civic community of Central Massachusetts on diversity-related issues critical to building inclusive organizations and peaceful communities. This will be accomplished in part through roundtable discussions and planned events targeted to advancing diversity and encouraging the growth of underrepresented professionals and expansion of their influence while making a positive impact on the Worcester community, according to the chamber.

The group’s first event will be held at the Beechwood Hotel, 363 Plantation Street in Worcester this Thursday, from 4:30 to 6 p.m.