The Global Diversity & Inclusion Foundation, known as GDIF was formed in 2008 and came to fruition January 1st, 2010. Its mission was to raise the bar for diversity & inclusion by strengthening the leadership and management capacity of the workplace. This was accomplished while stressing accountability, creditability and integrity for professionals working within the sector of diversity & inclusion through a “one stop” shop by offering cost-effective education, research and accreditation services. Ultimately, the goal was to nourish and sustain honesty to those organizations that significantly strive to improve the equality in the workplace globally.
Chuck Obina founded Global Diversity & Inclusion Foundation not because of his Asian culture, Hispanic culture, being a Veteran, Disabled, LGBT or being a Male. It was due to his passion and desire to drive equality for all in the workplace no matter whom one is. His leadership deciphers him from others. He is one of the most influential leaders in the diversity & inclusion sector. He is a visionary leader with hands on approach and a mobilizing human personality. Chuck believes that accountability, creditability and integrity is the fundamentals to raising the bar to diversity. He appreciates the road that has been laid to get where we are today, but he also believes that we can not continue to do things the same way.
Breanna Speed was appointed as the Chairman of the Board. She broke the glass ceiling with being the first transgender to lead a global nonprofit board of directors, as well as being a Veteran, African American and a woman.
Atlanta was chosen as its global headquarters to address diversity & inclusion that extended past race and gender by providing a central location from which information and referral, training, consulting and project management services could be provided globally. Our 1st chapter was created in Atlanta, with 3 more shortly thereafter in NYC Tri-state, Los Angeles and Orange County California. Chapters addressed local frontline issues for staff, volunteers and board members of all types of workplaces.
In an effort to better serve and represent GDIF, the planning for additional offices went into effect for Los Angeles and Chicago in early 2011. Since launching in 2010, the board has grown from 3 to 55 trustees while maintaining the operations with 1 employee. The board was created to function as a working board to best utilize its resources to manage the organization with greater effectiveness and efficiency.
From its very inception, the Global Diversity & Inclusion Foundation board of directors unanimously past and fully supports it nondiscrimination policy. It establishes a core value, a deep commitment to its staff and to the exercise of fair and equal employment practices. As a global organization, providing services throughout the world, GDIF has been intentional in ensuring that both its workforce and Board of Directors are highly diverse.
Even before launching, The Global Diversity & Inclusion Foundation secured its own 501(c)(3) status by taking over an existing 8 year old nonprofit and smartly utilizing its nonexistent resources. Sustaining strong ties with local, national and international networks, it was better positioned to provide guidance and direction for diversity and inclusion on a global front. No doubt, this set GDIF apart from their competitors both, non-profits and those that tend to perceive to be.
Through a series of social media and recruitment initiatives and ongoing efforts to enhance membership benefits, GDIF reaches over 15 million globally.
Global diversity and Inclusion Foundation has continued to launch a number of cutting edge initiatives, significantly raising the bar to provide accountability, creditability and integrity, while others were experiencing reduction or eliminated programs and services.
