Building Equitable Access and Opportunity
The Commitment to Opportunity, Diversity and Equity (CODE) was created to help the community achieve sustainable growth in the areas of diversity, inclusivity, equity and opportunity. By collaborating with Greater Omaha and Lincoln businesses, we work to accomplish this through two initiatives:
- CODE Employer Coalition — This group is dedicated to expanding diversity and inclusivity in our workplaces by turning insight into measurable action.
- CEOs for CODE — This group brings business leaders together in their shared commitment to break down barriers and drive change at the executive level.
When combined, these efforts can achieve economic equity and inclusiveness for all. And we want you to be a part of it.
%
of Black young professionals in Omaha felt their workplace was inclusive and welcoming, compared to 79% of all other races, according to a 2017 survey
Our Employer Coalition Members Are Leading Change
Creating Inclusive Workplaces
Our Employer Coalition seeks to advance diversity and inclusion within the workplace. As a member of the Coalition, you will be supported as you develop an action plan to cultivate a trusting environment where all ideas are welcomed and employees feel represented.
All companies are encouraged to join.
We Will.
On June 3, 2020, the Greater Omaha Chamber hosted nearly 150 CEOs, founders and leaders of the Omaha business community with the purpose of identifying collective action for diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces and communities.
We discussed a variety of inequities—from healthcare and housing to education and employment —and recognized the shared root of all of these disparities is racism. As a direct action of this, more than 260 CEOs signed a personal commitment to lead change.
Guidance on Your Journey
To support employers in the midst of developing their organization’s diversity and inclusion (D&I) strategy, we’re created a step-by-step guide. Whether you’re an Employer Coalition member who has just completed your assessment or a D&I professional looking for tips, this toolkit can help guide your work.
Resource Library
Whether you’re curious about the business case for diversity and inclusion or looking for inspiration on how to create a more inclusive culture, you’ll find best practices and thought starters in our resource library. The library is a great place to start your D&I exploration.
Employer Coalition Members with ERGs
Employee resource groups (ERGs) are groups of employees who join together in their workplace based on shared characteristics or life experiences. These groups are a critical piece of an organization’s diversity and inclusion strategy, especially as it relates to recruitment and retention, marketing, brand enhancement, training and employee development.
- Asian & Pacific
- Black or African American
- Different Abilities
- Latino
- LGBTQIA+
- Native & Indigenous Peoples
- Veterans
- Women
- Young Professionals
- Other
| Organization Name | ERG Name |
|---|---|
| Conagra | Conagra Asian Employee Resource Group (CARG) |
| Kutak Rock | Asian Heritage Affinity Group |
| Union Pacific | Asian Employee Resource Organization |
| Valmont | Indian-American Leadership Council |
| Organization Name | ERG Name |
|---|---|
| BCBS | BLUE |
| CHI | African American Diversity Council |
| Children’s Hospital | RISE (Reaching for Inclusion, Success & Equity) |
| Conagra | Conagra Black Employee Resource Group (CBERG) |
| Kutak Rock | African Heritage, African, Black Affinity Group |
| OPPD | African American Network |
| Signature Performance | BIPOC ARG |
| Union Pacific | Black Employee Network (BEN) |
| UNOmaha | Black and African American Faculty Connections |
| Organization Name | ERG Name |
|---|---|
| BCBS | Possibilities |
| Children’s Hospital | CARE (Compassion, Access, and Respect for Everyone of all abilities) |
| Kutak Rock | Individuals with Disabilities Affinity Group |
| Union Pacific | Educate. Advance. Support. Encourage. (EASE) |
| Organization Name | ERG Name |
|---|---|
| BCBS | Latinos Empowered to Achieve their Potential (LEAP) |
| CHI | CHI HOLA |
| Children’s Hospital | Unite |
| Conagra | Conagra Latino Leadership Employee Resource Group (CLLERG) |
| Kutak Rock | Hispanic and Latin Affinity Group |
| OPPD | Latino Society at OPPD (LSO) |
| Signature Performance | BIPOC ARG |
| Union Pacific | Latino Employee Network |
| UNOmaha | Hispanic and Latinx Faculty Connections |
| Valmont | Hispanic Organization for Leadership and Advancement (HOLA) |
| Organization Name | ERG Name |
|---|---|
| BCBS | Fearlessly You |
| Children’s Hospital | Children’s PRIDE (People & Resources for Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity) |
| Conagra | Conagra LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group (LGBTQ+) |
| Farm Credit Services of America | FCSA LGBTQ+ Resource Group |
| Kutak Rock | LGBTQIA and Allies Affinity Group |
| OPPD | OPPD Pride |
| Signature Performance | LGBTQ+ ARG |
| Union Pacific | Bridges |
| UNOmaha | LGBTQ+ Faculty and Staff Connections |
| Valmont | LGBTQ+ |
| Organization Name | ERG Name |
|---|---|
| Kutak Rock | Native and Indigenous Peoples Affinity Group |
| Signature Performance | BIPOC ARG |
| Union Pacific | Council of Native American Heritage (CONAH) |
| Organization Name | ERG Name |
|---|---|
| BCBS | Military Families United Together (MFUT) |
| CHI | Veterans Affinity Force |
| Conagra | Conagra Veterans Employee Resource Group (CVERG) |
| Farm Credit Services of America | FCSA Veterans Resource Group |
| Kutak Rock | Veterans and Servicemembers and their Families Affinity Group |
| OPPD | OPPD Veterans Network |
| Signature Performance | VETS ARG |
| Union Pacific | UP Vets |
| Organization Name | ERG Name |
|---|---|
| Bland & Associates | bWinRS |
| Conagra | Conagra Women’s Employee Resource Group (CWERG) |
| Farm Credit Services of America | Team Catalyst |
| Kutak Rock | Women’s Initiative |
| Lamp Rynearson | Women’s Employee Resource Group |
| OPPD | OPPD Women’s Network (OWN) |
| Union Pacific | LEAD |
| Valmont | The Women’s Leadership Council |
| Organization Name | ERG Name |
|---|---|
| BCBS | YP Connect |
| Children’s Hospital | Catalyst |
| Conagra | Conagra Young Professionals Employee Resource Group (YPRG) |
| Farm Credit Services of America | Roots |
| Kutak Rock | Professional Development Committee |
| Lamp Rynearson | Early Career Professionals (ECP) |
| OPPD | Young Professionals Group (YPG) |
| Tri-Faith Initiative | TF Young Professionals |
| Union Pacific | UP Ties |
| Urban League | Urban League Young Professionals |
| Valmont | Valmont YP |
| Organization Name | ERG Name |
|---|---|
| OPPD |
EmPOWERing Families (Mental Health) |
| OPPD | OPPD Global Connections |
| OPPD | OPPD Project Management Community of Practice |
| OPPD | OPPD Society of Engineers |
| OPPD | OPPD ToastMasters |
About CODE
Created in 2016, the Greater Omaha Chamber’s Commitment to Opportunity, Diversity and Equity (CODE) is focused on creating positive, measurable outcomes leading to increased opportunities and equity for underrepresented populations.
Research conducted in 2015 showed Black young professionals were five-to-six times less likely than all races to recommend Greater Omaha as a place to live, work and play, among other issues. Two years of focus groups, additional research and collaboration among organizations, nonprofits and corporations revealed these trends were ongoing and systemic. Something had to be done – because “nothing” is never an option.
The result was CODE—a call to action for those who believe we can and must do better.
CODE seeks to:
- Increase workplace diversity in the workforce, management and senior leadership among Greater Omaha companies to accurately reflect the demographics of our city
- Increase community satisfaction among underrepresented groups
- Assist companies in achieving an increase in diverse employee satisfaction and inclusion ratings
- Provide opportunities for dialogue, engagement, networking and training/education surrounding Diversity and Inclusion
- Increase number of minority-owned businesses through access to existing networks and resources for training, technical assistance and funding
- Create networking opportunities and support mentorship programs for underrepresented groups
If your organization is ready to address these challenges, consider joining our employer coalition.
Advisory Council
A cohort of D&I practitioners, nonprofit representatives, content experts and passionate stakeholders form the CODE Advisory Council. The group serves as an advisory council to the Chamber, Urban League and other partners in their efforts to increase diversity and inclusion in employment and the community.
COUNCIL MEMBERS
Carmen Tapio (Chair), North End Teleservices
Angel Starks, Nebraska Realty
Angela Cooper, Mutual of Omaha
Ashley Turner, Borsheims
Cammy Watkins, Inclusive Communities
Chris Johnson, Leo A Daly
Christopher Estwick, Fraser Stryker LLC
Christopher Whitt, Creighton University
Donald Neal, KPMG, LLP
Jessie Feinstein, Jackson Lewis, PC
Joyce Cooper, OPPD
Michael Beverly, (Update)
Moniki Cannon, Gunn & Cannon | Empowerment Group
Morgann Freeman, Nebraska Appleseed
Richard Webb, 100 Black Men of Omaha
Stancia Jenkins, University of Nebraska
Tamika Mease, Signature Performance
Victoria Novak, Metropolitan Community College
Winsley Durand, Greater Omaha Chamber, REACH
Ronald Fleming, Greater Omaha Chamber, REACH
Sarah Moylan, Greater Omaha Chamber
Patricia Moyorga, Greater Omaha Chamber
Kayla Toney, Urban League of Nebraska
Bianca Harley, Greater Omaha Chamber