Taft is the recipient of its second consecutive Best in Class Award: Diversity in the Legal Profession bestowed by the Greater Cleveland Partnership at the organization’s annual meeting on Mon., June 10. Taft’s chief diversity officer Adrian D. Thompson accepted the award on behalf of the firm.

In addition to Taft’s award for diversity in the legal profession, 2019 Best in Class Awards were given to organizations in the following categories:

• Board Diversity
• Senior Management Diversity
• Workforce Diversity
• Supplier Diversity

The Commission on Economic Inclusion’s Diversity & Inclusion Organization Assessment was completed by 105 organizations, an uptick of 42% from 2018. The assessment is a tool for organizations to compare their inclusion strategy with entities of similar size and type. The results reflect the business’ commitment to making inclusion a priority in all aspects of the business.

The Greater Cleveland Partnership is one of the largest metropolitan chambers of commerce in the nation. It focuses on driving economic vitality through building a strong and thriving climate for the broad business community, including small businesses, middle-market companies and large corporations.

The Commission on Economic Inclusion, an initiative of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, has been working since 2001 to close the racial disparities in jobs, income and wealth, by growing businesses owned by people of color and increasing workforce diversity, equity and inclusion. Its work is fueled by the belief that businesses and the region are stronger with greater racial equity.