CMC Forum: Three Chambers of Diversity

Courtesy of WCBE 90.5 FM
By WCBE Podcast Experience
February 20, 2021

Columbus and the surrounding suburbs have a diverse population. According to worldpopulationreview.com, “The most common ancestry groups in Columbus are German (19.4%), Irish (11.7%), English (7.9%), Polish (7.2%), and Italian (5.0%). While European immigration to Columbus has declined, the metropolitan area has seen great increases in African, Latin American and Asian immigration, particularly from China, Mexico, India, and Somalia. The city has a diverse Asian population, although the Hispanic community is mostly Mexican with a sizable Puerto Rican population. About 116,000 people in Columbus are foreign-born, which accounts for about 82% of new residents. 40% came from Asia, 23% from Africa, 22% from Latin America and 13% immigrated from Europe.”

But what about the diversity of business owners and how does their level of success represent a need for more awareness of the Black, Hispanic and Asian owned businesses in our community? We look forward to welcoming a panel of representatives from varied Chambers of Commerce around the city to learn about their members and their member businesses and how to support our neighbors.

Featuring J. Averi Frost, Executive Director, Central Ohio African American Chamber of Commerce and Program Manager, Columbus Urban League; Claudia De León, CEVP, President, Hispanic Chamber Columbus and COO, La Mega Media; Joy Kouns-Lewis, Ph.D. VP, Asian American Commerce Group and VP of Human Resources & Risk Management, Children’s Hunger Alliance with host, Hayleigh Colombo, Reporter, Columbus Business First.

Listen to the Podcast Here