Releasing the human potential in the Prism's rainbow is a beautiful thing

InnoVenture 2005 was a smashing success: 450 attendees, 30 major organizations with innovation displays, and 15 emerging companies presenting to investors. The energy in the room was electric.

There was one major problem - 448 of 450 people were white, so there were lots of creative, talented people that we missed. Why didn't African-Americans show up? This isn't just an InnoVenture problem. You see it everywhere in our community.

Marvin Rogers and David Mitchell approached InnoVenture in the fall with a solution called the Prism Initiative, designed to attract the best and brightest young talent reflecting the diversity of the community. You are involved in Prism because you are smart and talented, not because of the color of your skin. The diversity of those in Prism is a test of whether we have identified all the talent across the community.

Thursday night was their first event. 80+ bright, creative young professionals showed up. Another smashing success! Below is a string of emails from those that attended.

Releasing the human potential in the Prism's rainbow is a beautiful thing! I am very proud of the team that put this together.

-----Original Message-----
From: Kathie
To: Prism Initiative Committee
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 3:02 PM
Subject: Yesterday's Event at BMW

To all,

I was inspired by last night's message and by the awesome people who were there. It helped me to expand my vision one more notch for what is possible. I'm glad I had the opportunity to share the experience with everyone that was there.

Kathie

-----Original Message-----
From: Timika
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 10:01 AM
To: Prism Initiative Committee
Subject: Yesterday's Event at BMW

Good morning,

I would like to thank everyone on the Prism committee for all your hard work in pulling together such an awesome event last night. Everyone that I spoke with shared nothing but great feedback. The collaboration with Pulse and Urban League Young Professionals will help our community pull together our best & brightest young professionals. As I stepped back and took a look at the crowd I saw great leaders of all ages in the same setting networking, building relationships, exchanging business cards......which brought joy to my heart.
I believe this community is now beginning to grasp the concept of what diversity really means. As we continue to work together things will begin to fall in place.

Keep up the great work!

Timika

-----Original Message-----
From: Brenda
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 9:57 AM
To: Prism Initiative Committee
Subject: Yesterday's Event at BMW

Congratulations to all of you who worked hard to make last night happen! It was a great success for the Prism Initiative---a wonderful milestone. Shoot high, aim for the stars--that's what you all have done.

Thank you all very much,

Brenda

-----Original Message-----
From: Marvin
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 8:55 AM
To: Prism Initiative Committee
Subject: Yesterday's Event at BMW

Hey Gang,

Check out this message...very encouraging way to start the day!

Thank you again for your support.

Have a wonderful day.

Marvin

-----Original Message-----
From: Heiko
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 8:52 AM
To: Prism Initiative Committee
Subject: Yesterday's Event at BMW

Hello Marvin,

It was very nice to meet you yesterday evening for the "Insights at the Intersections of Change" event at BMW.

I really enjoyed listening to you and the other speakers, and to hear about their vision for the future for Greenville and the Upstate. I hope more of these kinds of events will follow and I would really like to be involved in supporting the growing of this great region.

Have a great weekend,

Heiko