OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY , EQUITY & INCLUSION
Visit Baltimore remains committed to making diversity , equity and inclusion a part of our cultural DNA .
We are leading the charge to move the travel and tourism industry forward by encouraging necessary dialogue in support of underrepresented communities , amplifying the voices of our majority Black city , creating new career development opportunities for diverse future hospitality leaders and providing the tools for businesses across the city to foster a welcoming environment for all .
LEADING WITH EDUCATION In fall 2020 , Visit Baltimore held diversity , equity and inclusion training for Baltimore travel , tourism and hospitality leaders and staff . Janese Murray , the president of Inclusion Impact Consulting , LLC , in Baltimore , facilitated the six trainings , sponsored by Atlas Restaurant Group , that brought together hundreds of participants from hotels , restaurants , nonprofits and various venues throughout the industry to develop and implement strategies designed to improve workforce diversity , create an inclusive and equitable culture , assess intercultural competence and facilitate authentic and courageous dialogue about systemic racism .
“ By offering these trainings to local industry leaders , our goal is to create a warm , welcoming environment for all visitors , but especially those of color . This is critical in a place like Baltimore , where nearly a quarter of the city ’ s annual visitors are African American ,” explained Al Hutchinson , President & CEO of Visit Baltimore . “ We want travelers to leave Baltimore telling their friends and family that they visited one of the most inclusive and diverse destinations in America .”
To continue this essential education in FY22 , Visit Baltimore is partnering with experts like Dr . Karsonya “ Kaye ” Wise Whitehead of The Karson Institute for Race , Peace & Social Justice at Loyola University Maryland , to create DEI training materials for Baltimore businesses and organizations to be better prepared to welcome visitors of all backgrounds , races , genders and abilities as part of our new Warm Welcome Program launching in FY22 .
6 VISIT BALTIMORE