DETROIT — In 2012, the Rainbow PUSH/Citizenship Education Fund(CEF) Automotive Project released its first Automotive Diversity Scorecard. The Scorecard allows automotive manufacturers’ leadership teams to self-evaluate their companies’ diversity.
“We have seen many automakers take big steps forward with their diversity programs as they have come to truly see the value of diversity and inclusion programs,” said Reverend. Jesse L. Jackson, founder and president of Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
This year is the first time in the history of the scoreboard, no automaker received a single red grade – which typically indicates deficient diversity and inclusion programs. Meanwhile, General Motors and Toyota both received green grades in four areas – the most among the 12 automakers surveyed this year.
“But we cannot afford to be complacent – our work is far from being done,” Jackson said. “The automotive industry and the communities it serves would benefit from having more Blacks in the C-suites and as owners of dealerships. Our advertising agencies need larger budgets and of course, we need to make sure minorities play a meaningful role in the emerging electric vehicle supply chain.”
The annual Scorecard provides the Rainbow PUSH/CEF Automotive Project with an aggregate report summary to serve as a resource for consultation on industry best practices. Each OEM receives a confidential survey that address six diversity measures and upon completion returns it to Rainbow PUSH/CEF for evaluation.
“We are pleased with the responses we from many of the participating automakers. These are the best scores we’ve seen since the inception of the Diversity Scorecard,” said John A. Graves, chairman of the Global Automotive Summit.
