The world is changing: we know that the demographics of the country are shifting rapidly. Currently one of every three U.S. residents is a minority, by 2050, that number is projected to be one of every two U.S. residents. Many of Macy's top markets are already 'minority majority'. Therefore, we need a diverse and talented workforce to connect and understand the preferences, needs and lifestyles of all our diverse customers, and we also need to seek out and support diverse suppliers who can help us fill the gaps in our merchandise assortments, and find the products and services that meet the preferences and lifestyles of our customers. Utilizing diverse suppliers who often better understand the needs of diverse customers fosters innovation, economic inclusion and invests in our community.

In Cincinnati, Macy's has partnered with local suppliers, such as River City Furniture, and Williams Interior Designs, Inc. Last year Macy's awarded a national contract for branded promotional items to minority owned supplier, Icon Blue. On the retail side, Macy's features men's neckwear from Krimson by Kwame, skin care and cosmetics lines by Carol's Daughter and Fashion Fair, lingerie by Lunaire, and jeans for curvy women from PZI Denim, to name just a few of the vendors that help us present distinctive, differentiated assortments for our customers. Macy's will feature trunk shows and special promotions with several key vendors in the downtown Fountain Place store in conjunction with the upcoming Macy's Music Festival in late July.

Macy's commitment to growing our business with minority vendors extends to an innovative and ground breaking program, a vendor academy to be launched in Spring 2011, that offers curriculum ranging from marketing to strategic planning specifically to help mentor and educate vendors on doing business with large companies, such as Macy's.  In addition, Macy's Chairman, President & CEO, Terry Lundgren leads the company's Executive Diversity Council, whose key focus areas include developing and expanding our business with minority and women owned business enterprises (MWBEs). In his third year as Board Chair of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Terry has raised the bar for the organization by establishing specific metrics to increase Macy's spending with MWBEs. By growing existing relationships with our vendors, and continually seeking to establish new ones, we are creating a winning and inclusive environment for Macy's, our suppliers and our community.

On vacation in the Bay Area this week, I was privileged to walk with the Macy's team in the 40th anniversary of Pride in San Francisco. What a thrill to walk behind Macy's Pride + Joy banner along Market Street, lined with half a million spectators and supporters, in one of the largest and most colorful Pride celebrations in the world. As a lifelong Bay Area native, I grew up and accepted being in one of the most diverse areas in the country, and yet I was once again so impressed by the overwhelming diversity and colorful sophistication of the City by the Bay.

Upon learning that I'm from California, people comment that it must have been difficult to move here, one unspoken reason being the lack of diversity. I try to refrain from drawing comparisons, as I am now firmly a 'going on six year' Cincinnati resident, dedicated to downtown living, celebrating the changes that are taking place in the community, and enjoying the vibrant arts and culture that are available and so accessible here. However, it is a reminder that Macy's and other corporations and community organizations have an important role and a responsibility to encourage and grow diversity within our community, in order to create workplaces and a community that will thrive and be viable long into the future. 

Creating a workforce that values and leverages diverse perspectives, and the innovation and creativity that result from having diverse teams working to solve business problems, will ultimately influence having a more diverse and inclusive community. Macy's, through our Diversity Council and employee resource groups, is continually working to raise the awareness of the value of diversity and inclusion. Through the efforts of our Macy's Diversity Council, we are proud to be the first large corporation to support the Greater Cincinnati Commitment, a pledge that reflects the "signer's affirmation to join with others in taking steps to remove racism, prejudice and stereotypes of all forms from our own lives, as well as the lives of others, and to treat all people with respect."  

This visible commitment to diversity and inclusion, coupled with Macy's efforts and that of other Cincinnati corporations and institutions sponsoring and supporting this weekend's Cincinnati Pride/Equinox, should encourage all of us to look forward to the 40th anniversary of celebrating Pride in Cincinnati.

One of the wonderful highlights of moving to Cincinnati six years ago to join the Macy's corporate team was having the opportunity to contribute to shaping and influencing the company's Diversity strategy, which includes developing and growing our relationships with community partners. Macy's steadfast commitment to diversity and inclusion and long standing tradition of giving back to the communities in which we do business, is showcased throughout the year by our sponsorship and support of diverse community events, such as Cincy Cinco, the Macy's Music Festival, and Cincinnati Pride/Equinox.

Macy's is a proud sponsor of Cincinnati Pride/Equinox, one of more than 16 sponsorships of parades and events in key cities that are part of our month long national campaign, Pride + Joy. The campaign recognizes and celebrates our pride in the contributions of our LGBT employees and customers and demonstrates our commitment through our company policies, marketing, events, community partnerships and cause initiatives. The campaign, which is being supported by nearly 2000 Macy's volunteers in parades across the country, also includes a macys.com microsite, national and regional advertising, tribute windows in select stores, Facebook exposure, and gift registry booths for same-sex couples. Many of the parades feature a 12-foot rainbow star balloon symbolizing the company's continued commitment to the LGBT community. Exemplifying the spirit and commitment of our employee resource groups, and their value as a resource to our business, the campaign came about through collaboration and feedback from Macy's LGBT ERGs with support from Macy's Marketing and Diversity teams.

I believe that the impact and significance of these events reaches far beyond Macy's sponsorship and participation. Certainly they create a strong connection to Macy's for both our employees and our customers, and contribute to the company's image and brand as an employer and a shopping destination of choice.  More importantly, they clearly demonstrate the influential role that Macy's and other corporate partners play in encouraging diversity within our community. That role is vital in creating a community that is economically viable, culturally rich, and recognized for being welcoming, vibrant and creative.