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Learn About Untapped Talent for Businesses At Feb. 18 Panel Discussion

February 14, 2020

GREATER DES MOINES, IA (Feb. 14, 2020) – The Greater Des Moines Partnership will host an event on the topic of Untapped Talent in the African American community. The event will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families.

A panel discussion will explore how businesses can tap into the pool of untapped talent in the African American community by connecting attendees with resources, sharing best practices and providing practical tools to reach this group.

The panel will be facilitated by Sailu Timbo, Director of Diversity and Recruiting at Hy-Vee, Inc. and a member of The Partnership’s Inclusion Council. Panelists include:

  • Will Holmes — Starts Right Here Movement
  • Dennis Henderson — Broadlawns Medical Center
  • Negus Sankofa Imhotep — Urban Dreams
  • Nancy Richardson — Hy-Vee., Inc.

This is the first of six events that will be scheduled throughout the year regarding the issue of untapped talent, with each event exploring different groups that could provide a potential talent pool for businesses. The Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Inclusion Council has been working on highlighting the opportunities that lie within untapped talent groups since 2015 to raise awareness, debunk myths associated with these groups, encourage employers to access these talent pools and provide community contacts, connections and resources to facilitate the process. The Untapped Talent series is an opportunity for employers to learn in depth about each of these untapped talent groups, demystify myths and stereotypes, connect with intermediary community organizations who can provide additional resources and support to both employers and employees, and expand their sources of hiring to find diverse talent.

The next event on Thursday, March 26 will focus on Returning Citizens. Watch for more information on this and other events as it becomes available. The Feb. 18 event is free to attend, and interested attendees can register online. The event will also be livestreamed on YouTube.

About the Greater Des Moines Partnership

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 24 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and more than 365 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.