Recognition for leaders driving change in North Carolina; making “significant impact” in business, industry, and communities
Raleigh, May 11, 2022 – Business North Carolina asked prominent leaders and top executives to help them create the Power List 2022 – individuals who are “driving much of the change in North Carolina” and “who are making a significant impact in their enterprises, industries and communities.” The Diversity Movement CEO and co-founder Donald Thompson was named to the list, comprising “the state’s most powerful leaders across major industries.”
The complete Power List 2022 awardees was released on May 1 in a special issue of Business North Carolina, identifying “North Carolina’s most influential leaders.”
“Demand for steady, competent leadership is unquestionable. Just look at the war in Ukraine, inflation reaching 40-year highs, and negative effects lingering from a horrible pandemic,” said David Mildenberg, Editor of Business North Carolina. “It’s a challenging time. Fortunately, our state is full of terrific leaders.”
Thompson has led The Diversity Movement since its inception in 2019. Known globally for its groundbreaking diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programming that drives real-world business results. The company was recently honored by Fast Company, which named MicroVideos by The Diversity Movement as a 2022 “World Changing Idea.” This recognition follows Inc. Magazine’s 2021 Best in Business List in DE&I Advocacy.
Thompson’s career has centered on growing and leading companies. His expertise is goal achievement, transforming company culture, and driving exponential growth as an entrepreneur, public speaker, author, podcaster, Certified Diversity Executive (CDE), and executive coach. Recognized as a leader who brings a broad executive perspective across multiple industries, Thompson serves as a board member for Easterseals UCP, Vidant Medical Center, Raleigh Chamber, TowneBank Raleigh, and several other organizations in the fields of technology, marketing, sports, and entertainment.
Thompson writes a weekly leadership column for WRAL TechWire and has written for many other publications, including Entrepeneur.com and CNBC. An engaging keynote speaker, he entertains and engages audiences by demonstrating how DEI initiatives can change the world by transforming the way we work together. As a leadership and executive coach, Thompson helps executives utilize new tools and thinking so they can rapidly develop better management skills and leadership abilities as they work in the ever-evolving business landscape.
Underestimated: A CEO’s Unlikely Path to Success
Thompson’s book Underestimated: A CEO’s Unlikely Path to Success will be published in October 2022 by Morgan James. Part leadership guide, part memoir, Underestimated shares the hard work, continual learning, and resilience that enabled him to achieve his most audacious aspirations and become an award-winning champion of DEI initiatives with two decades of leading successful organizations to tremendous growth and influence.
Underestimated focuses on the unlikely journey of a Black CEO, presenting Thompson’s unique insights on American business, life, and racial and economic justice. Candid, outspoken, and refreshing, he offers a remarkable look at corporate America through the eyes of a true outsider who found his way into the halls of power.
Making North Carolina More Diverse and Inclusive
In 2021, CNBC released the report “America’s Top States for Business,” with North Carolina ranking second in the nation. Executives across the state noted the strong business culture from Charlotte and Raleigh over to Asheville and many other growing regions. Yet, despite the strong overall marks, CNBC editors warned that “steps toward inclusiveness are needed” to push NC to the top spot.
Engaging with 100+ clients across industries, The Diversity Movement is leading the charge for greater inclusion with an innovative employee application suite that powers workplace excellence via a DEI lens.
DEI Navigator
DEI Navigator is a subscription-based membership that gives leaders at small- and mid-sized organizations the ability to have all the DEI resources of a Fortune 500 corporation – content, tools, and on-demand advice for DEI leaders.
DEI Navigator is everything leaders need, all in one place. Membership offers access to The Diversity Movement’s award-winning team of proven business leaders and certified diversity executives, along with expert curated content, how-to guides, specialized training, and a community of peers sharing their ideas and lessons learned – all at a fraction of the cost of hiring a full-service DEI consultancy. The award-winning MicroVideo platform is included with DEI Navigator membership.
MicroVideos by The Diversity Movement
Joining Fast Company’s exclusive list of global organizations changing the world for the better is MicroVideos by The Diversity Movement, a micro-learning platform containing 500+ right-sized videos created so organizations and individuals can learn about DEI in the flow of work. In terms of minutes created, the content in the MicroVideo platform is the equivalent of 28 full-length Hollywood films.
Developed by proven business leaders and certified diversity experts, the MicroVideos library is organized in specific learning pathways like inclusive leadership, DEI vocabulary, Human Resources topics, LGBTQ+, the business case and return on investment, and allyship. Actionable takeaways help viewers put DEI principles into practice right away.
About The Diversity Movement
The Diversity Movement offers an employee experience application suite that personalizes DEI for your organization and delivers real-world business outcomes. Our productized DEI journey is built on digital learning tools and content, conversational AI, and analytics. The Diversity Movement created DEI Navigator, a subscription-based service that enables small- and mid-sized organizations to power its DEI programming, built especially for leaders who need world-class resources – like a “chief diversity officer in a box.” Another key offering is the MicroVideo library, a micro-learning platform created to scale DEI learning across the organization. Recognizing the power of our 500+ video micro-learning content, Fast Company honored MicroVideos as a 2022 “World Changing Idea.”
The Diversity Movement helps you win in the marketplace by powering scalable and sustainable workplace excellence via a data-driven approach focused on business results. Join the movement at www.thediversitymovement.com.
Contact
Bob Batchelor, The Diversity Movement, bob@thediversitymovement.com
