MindSpring Partners’
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative
At MindSpring Partners, we embrace authenticity to empower meaningful change through diversity, equity, and inclusion within the recruitment industry.
We strive to create a workplace that encourages, supports, and celebrates the voices of all our employees, and we are dedicated to continued learning which enables others to grow and thrive in this changing world.
We commit to growing our vision not only internally but with our clients and candidates, to advocate for diverse talent, foster inclusive hiring practices, and build a more equitable workforce that reflects the Chicago community and drives long-term success for all.
Client Solutions
Initial Hiring Manager Conversations
When we first meet with a client, here are some of the questions we ask them to understand their DEI initiatives and how we can help through the recruiting process.
- What does diversity mean to you?
- How important is diversity to you?
- Are you prepared to hire diverse talent?
- If I presented you X, who may not have Y, how does that fit into your decision process?
- How diverse is your current team? Is DEI a discussion internally?
MindSpring Partners
Our Internal DEI Initiatives
MindSpring has partnered with social justice educator and cultural change consultant Anthony DiNicola to:
- Engage our team in educational programming on power, privilege, oppression, and bias to create a more equitable and inclusive work environment
- Establish a vision plan for DEI initiatives
- Create a series of goals to support our partners’ efforts to diversify their workforce
Resources
Internal Discussion
Organized by our internal DEI team, MindSpring Partners has engaged in various conversations surrounding marginalized communities, their history and its relation to the present, and what the future of hiring in America can look like. We have utilized a collection of resources and themes, some of which are listed here:
“Unconscious Bias in Recruiting”
A discussion regarding unconscious bias and how to create a more inclusive workforce using a presentation created by our internal DEI team.
Ibram X Kendi’s “How to Be an Antiracist” (via Brene Brown’s podcast)
A discussion on the commonness of racism and the tactics that can be used to approach it.
“1619 Project” (New York Times)
A discussion on the history of slavery and how it affects the Black community today, including in hiring practices.
A discussion on the Netflix documentary, and the transgender and gender non-conforming community in the workplace.
A discussion on the pandemic’s effect on women in the workplace.
Volunteer Projects
Engaging With the Community
MindSpring Partners has focused on utilizing our extensive industry knowledge to help our local communities by dedicating time and creating partnerships with various organizations through mock interviews, resume coaching, and other forms of job readiness volunteering. These wonderful organizations include:
Grace Hopper Program at FullStack Academy
∙ An immersive software engineering course for women+ students with no upfront tuition cost.
∙ A development and leadership training program for underserved adults, primarily focusing on business and technology.
∙ A world-class coding program for veterans and their spouses.
∙ A one-year program offering students within the opportunity divide training and corporate connections for employment opportunities.
∙ Feeding hope since 1970, Lakeview Pantry is one of Chicago’s largest and longest-operating food pantries.
MindSpring Partners supports these local organizations and important work they are doing for the City of Chicago:
∙ An entrepreneurial program for high school students in underserved Chicago communities.
∙ The first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ Center located on the South Side of Chicago.
∙ Providing mental health resources for BIPOC youth in Chicago.
∙ An organization focused on early childhood development and closing the opportunity gap.
National Association of Asian American Professionals
∙ A not-for-profit, Pan-Asian American organization that promotes the career advancement and leadership development of Asian American professionals.
