<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="ltr"><b>I am Diversity, Please Include Me</b><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><div><br></div><div>by Charles Bennefield</div><div><br></div><div>I ‘m present in every place you go</div><div>Depending on your lens I’m friend or foe</div><div>I’m a force to be reckoned with</div><div>Like the winds of change I move. I’m swift.</div><div>I’m present when two or more are together</div><div>If embraced I can make the good even better.</div><div>I’m not limited to age, gender, or race.</div><div>I’m invisible at times and yet all over the place.</div><div>Don’t exclude me due to a lack of knowledge</div><div>Welcome me like the recruit fresh out of college.</div><div>Let me take my seat at the table</div><div>Even though I may be differently able</div><div>My experience, my passion the authentic me</div><div>Can help add value for your company.</div><div>Learn about me; improve my underrepresentation</div><div>And I can provide a competitive edge to your entire nation.</div><div>I exclude no one I am strengthened by all</div><div>My name is Diversity and yes I stand tall.</div><div>Recognize me and keep me in the mix</div><div>Together there’s no problem that we can’t fix.</div><div>I am your best hope towards true innovation</div><div>And to many, I reflect hope and inspiration.</div><div>Your lives and companies will continue to change</div><div>Thus the need for Diversity and Inclusion will also remain.</div><div>Do all that you can to truly embrace me</div><div>And experience life’s fullness totally</div><div>I’m the thought lurking behind the unfamiliar face</div><div>I’m the ingenuity that helps your team win the race.</div><div>I’m the solution that came from the odd question that was asked.</div><div>I stand out in the crowd when I, Diversity, am allowed to be unmasked.</div><div>I’m diversity embrace me and we’ll journey far.</div><div>I’m Diversity include me and we will reach the shining star.</div><div>Coupled with Inclusion our lights burn longer</div><div>Together we are smarter, better and stronger</div><div>I am Diversity</div><div>Yes, that’s me</div></div><div><br></div>—————————————————-<br><br><div dir="ltr"><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">http://www.MoscowCares.net</span></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tom Hansen</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moscow, Idaho</span></div></div><div><br></div><div>“A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met.”</div><div>- Roy E. Stolworthy</div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>