News
Office of Women and Minority Inclusion Releases Second Annual Report to Congress
The Office of Minority and Women Inclusion (OMWI) of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago submitted its second Annual Report to Congress, covering the period January 1 to December 31, 2012. The report provides a comprehensive summary of the Bank’s accomplishments, challenges and opportunities related to minority and women employment; inclusion of minority and women owned businesses (M/WBEs) in contracts; and financial literacy outreach initiatives. The Report also provides year-to-year comparisons between 2011 and 2012 of diversity and inclusion indicators as they relate to workforce and supplier diversity. The progress outlined in the report reaffirms our ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, and demonstrates our continued interest in promoting these important objectives.
Partnership with Junior Achievement
On Tuesday, March 19th, the Bank hosted more than 90 students from Schurz, Juarez, Kelly and Cristo Rey High Schools for “Yo Lo Hice, You Can Too,” an event produced in partnership with Junior Achievement, the Bank’s Office of Diversity & Inclusion (ODI), and our Latino Resource Association (LRA).
The full day event began with a dynamic presentation by the Bank’s own Francisco Robles, a Statistical Reports Supervisor, who described his educational and professional success after graduating from Juarez High School. The MC for the event, Mike Oquendo, host of the Mikey O comedy show, used humor to describe his personal journey of growing up and creating a name for himself through comedy. He was followed by the keynote speaker, Martín Montes, Assistant General Counsel for Exelon Corporation’s Legal Operations and Administration Department, who provided his own story about the importance of perseverance, setting goals, and going above and beyond to achieve ones full potential.
Throughout the day, students had the opportunity to meet with over 30 Bank volunteers to learn about their professional journeys and ask them a few questions as part of a speed networking session. Bank employees also delivered classroom-style workshops to the students on how to make successful career-related decisions and find their passion in the world of work. In addition to these educational activities, all students enjoyed a tour of our Money Museum and a presentation by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, an organization with a mission of making college accessible and affordable for Illinois students.
This event is a part of the Chicago Fed’s commitment to corporate social responsibility in providing mentoring and financial literacy programs to high schools with majority minority populations. Junior Achievement is an important partner of the Bank’s to deliver mentoring and financial literacy initiatives.
About Corporate Social Responsibility
Guided by the Corporate Social Responsibility Council, the Bank takes a holistic approach to its varied responsibilities, seeking to connect its internal and external practices with key initiatives that include:
- Diversity & Inclusion
The Bank supports a diverse and inclusive work environment where employees are respected, treated fairly, and given equal opportunities to perform to their fullest potential.
- Supplier Diversity
The Bank recognizes the importance of a diverse supplier base and is committed to including minority- and women-owned businesses in its procurement program.
- Financial Literacy
Money Smart Week is a series of free classes and activities designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances.
- Economic Education
Fed Challenge is an academic competition that provides students grades 9-12 the opportunity to study the U.S. economy through the lens of the U.S. Central Bank.
- Community Development & Policy Studies
The principal mission of the Community Development & Policy Studies division is to support economic growth objectives by studying and promoting fair access to financial services.
- Regional Economic Outreach
Economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago routinely carry out, and communicate the results of, a wide variety of research that relates to the welfare of the Midwestern economy.
- Environmentalism
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago incorporates into its daily activities a range of business practices that contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment.
- Volunteerism
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago staff members participate on a regular basis in a variety of volunteer activities that help individuals and promote stronger communities.
