BCA Global Digital Magazine 2016 Year In Review Impact and Programs | Page 2

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
President’s
Greeting
I would like to first express my hope for the future of our country, our industry
and the young people who are paving the way for their personal and career
success. The importance of BCAGlobal’s mission is based on the importance
of diversity and racial inclusion. We know from a cross-cultural standpoint,
food brings many walks of life together in a civilized forum. Collectively, we
can celebrate diversity, and use the essence of food’s influence to broaden our
understanding of people from a cultural perspective.
The “brick and mortar” of the industry are young people who desire a career
as chefs, restaurateurs, or working in other sectors of the industry. If you
think in terms of the positions for growth, employment, and opportunity, the
foodservice industry is by far the largest sector. Diversity inspires innovation and
creates dynamics for increased revenue and profit. It has been clearly proven
that if we focus and celebrate those individuals who make up and represent
diversity within the culinary and hospitality industry, the whole is made better by
the individual parts. This adds value to people and the entities they work for.
So many things can be said about tradition, heritage, customs, and
communicating through food. By educating and aligning ourselves with the
vast diversity of food that exists we simultaneously become aligned with a
higher understanding of culture on a level we did not have before. We at least
have an entrée into a conversational starting point to identify some similarities
verses differences and can gain appreciation for building relationships based on
inclusion.
By definition, inclusion is a state of being valued, respected and supported.
It’s about focusing on the needs of every individual and ensuring the right
conditions are in place for each person to achieve his or her full potential.
Inclusion should be reflected in every learning and working environment. In
simple terms, diversity is the mix; inclusion is getting the mix to work well
together. It starts with learning about who is in the mix, and that will take some
conscious work.
Our 2016 focus was to move from an advocacy and networking organization
to a program driven prospective. These new programs include healthy eating,
sustainability, mentoring and urban agriculture, and this will lay the ground
work and impact young professionals that are members of the organization.
Now in our 25th year, BCA’s mission continues to be as important and relevant
in our industry as ever. Please consider supporting the organization for 2017 in
any way you can to make a difference.
We look forward to continuing to show the results of our hard work and
supporting diversity within the culinary and foodservice industry. Our unity
defines our future.
Best wishes for the New Year!
Sincerely,
Alex Askew
President
BCA Global
2017 Digital Magazine
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BCAGlobal
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www.bcaglobal.org