Two years ago, when Kevin Altieri went to work for Denver’s gay and lesbian chamber of commerce, he didn’t imagine he would one day help organize a networking event involving a full spectrum of minority business groups.
But the gay and lesbian chamber, called the Colorado Business Council, wanted to build bridges to organizations representing other minority groups. It reached out to six other minority chambers, and on Tuesday, the organizations hosted Denver’s first Diversity in Business Expo.
“There is strength in numbers,” said Altieri, the CBC’s director of administration.
About 200 people attended the day-long series of events, including networking opportunities, a speech by Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and educational sessions covering everything from hiring to small-business marketing.
Co-hosting the event at the Adam’s Mark Hotel were the Denver Hispanic Chamber, Colorado Black Chamber, Asian Chamber, Rocky Mountain Indian Chamber, Colorado Women’s Chamber and Latina Chamber.
Whether they are gay or lesbian, African- American or Hispanic, people who differ from the stereotypical white businessman can find it hard to build and maintain strong professional relationships, said Mark Renn, CBC president.
He said Americans are generally more accepting of differences than they were in 1992, when he went public with his homosexuality. Still, “you have to worry in the workplace about being harassed and ridiculed and of being terminated.”
Although prejudice still exists, businesses are reacting to increases in minority populations by seeking, and trying to retain, diverse employees, vendors and customers, Renn said.
Hickenlooper said business is being lured by the growing economic muscle of minorities. The future belongs to cities where differences are accepted, he said.
“That soup of diversity is the single closest correlation to your economic future,” he told attendees.
Rebecca Blackbyrd, a slender 30-year-old in wire-rimmed glasses who describes her job as “animal communicator,” came to the event to make connections.
Blackbyrd, who started her own business in October, works with people and their pets to smooth out conflicts.
“This is an opportunity to network. I am working on getting the word out there.”
Staff writer Tom McGhee can be reached at 303-820-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com.
