Akron, Ohio - The Hon. Bradley S. S. Dunn, Ohio Civil Rights Commission, receives Diversity Award at the Law Week Celebration's Law Day Luncheon. His remarks:
"First, I would like to recognize my family who is in attendance. My wife Amy, my son Spencer, and my daughter Madilynn. I think this is the first time they have at least pretended to be listening to me.
It is an honor to be recognized by such an incredible group as the Akron Bar Association and by those for which I hold such great esteem, the Akron legal community. I am proud to be, as I first heard it referred to by Past President Steve Funk, an Akron Lawyer. That hold special meeting for all of us. But even more special to me is receiving this particular honor – the Diversity Award.
I may not look like it, I am, after all, an older White male, but I am the product of diversity. I have had the all too rare experience of working for a very diverse group of people including three strong Black female bosses in my legal career. These beautiful individuals have served as mentors and I recognize I would not have achieved what I have, not only in my career but in my life, if it was not for their insight and guidance. They have challenged me to question my assertions born of a homogeneous upbringing and culture and it has made all the difference.
We live in tumultuous times and if we want to achieve a more perfect union we will need diversity. If we are going to assure all Americans are included in the dream we need to include all people, not just the ones with whom we easily associate. It is necessity not an option.
More importantly, we will need to remember to be inclusive, not just diverse. As Vera Myers says, “Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance.” What good is it to have diversity if we ignore its potential to make a contribution. Without inclusion, diversity does little.
Be warned though. Diversity and inclusion in practice is not easy. It works to make better and smarter decisions, true, but it does this because it inserts cognitive friction. It is this friction that causes us to stop and address our assumptions and to recognize people have experienced this world through a very different lens. It is uncomfortable to have our assertions challenged but it is that very act, that very uncomfortable act, that makes for better decision making.
So I challenge you today to do your part to further diversity and inclusion. Whether that part is small or massive, it is yours. And, in the end, if we all do our part we can get to that more perfect union."
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