PBN Diversity & Inclusion Awards 2019
OVERALL DIVERSITY CHAMPION: Linda Holmes Newton
LINDA holmes NEWTON sees her efforts to promote equity, diversity and inclusion as far more than just a job. She sees it as her responsibility.
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“My great-grandfather was a slave,” said Newton, founder of Providence-based nonprofit Diversity & Inclusion Professionals and principal of consulting firm Newton & Newton LLC. “He escaped from a slave dealer and fled to the District of Columbia, where he went from being someone’s property to becoming an attorney and the first justice of the peace in the district.”
During segregation and Jim Crow laws in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Newton attended an all-white, all-female Catholic high school. Many of her classmates were told by their parents that they could not invite her into their homes or attend events in her community. Despite this, Newton found guidance and inspiration from the rock-solid support system she had behind her.
“I grew up in a black community of economic stability, educational achievement and strong, supportive black role models,” Newton said. “My parents and grandparents were college educated. They became lawyers, librarians, bankers, [information technology] professionals and teachers. They worked hard to give me the same opportunities.
“My success is a direct result of their efforts and the efforts of countless other advocates and leaders and foot soldiers for justice who gave their lives so that I could sit wherever I wanted on the bus and vote and benefit from affirmative action laws,” she said. “I was taught that those with more have the responsibility and obligation to participate, engage and speak out against injustice, inequality and hatred in its many forms.”
As an adult, Newton has worked tirelessly for many years to remain true to that belief – always looking to help others.
Newton worked for more than 30 years at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, where she rose from being customer service representative to vice president in charge of developing the company’s first diversity program before retiring in 2010.
‘A commitment to diversity and inclusion is a commitment to culture change.’
Linda Holmes Newton, Diversity & Inclusion Professionals founder
Newton didn’t slow down. She founded Diversity & Inclusion Professionals, an organization that seeks to advance equity and inclusion as critical elements of business and community success. The organization created Diversity Links, a series of networking events in partnership with other organizations offering attendees opportunities to meet and engage with a diverse group of Rhode Island professionals.
DAIP has also sought to elevate the ongoing discussion about equity and inclusion through programming, by including conversations with local college and university leaders. Topics that are discussed include “Generations in the Workplace,” “Key Components of a Successful Diversity & Inclusion Strategy” and “Creating a Positive Work Environment for LGBTQ Employees.”
Although challenging, Newton believes it is not only timely but critical for businesses to develop and implement diversity and inclusion initiatives.
“A commitment to diversity and inclusion is a commitment to culture change,” Newton said. “Changing the culture of an organization is not easy to do and it does not happen overnight. It is not enough to have a plan in place. The plan must be fully integrated throughout the business and have measurable accountability across the organization. Without effective diversity and inclusion plans, businesses will not be able to recruit top talent, grow market share or stay relevant in an increasingly diverse world.”
Kim Lee, International Game Technology PLC’s vice president for diversity and inclusion, met Newton in 2017 at DAIP’s annual luncheon in Providence. After that meeting, the two quickly became friends, colleagues and advisers to one another.
“Linda has served as a welcoming committee for many professionals who have moved to Rhode Island and needed advice, counsel and a warm conversation to help with the transition,” Lee said. “Creating a sense of belonging is core to who she is as a person. She’s warm, personable, direct, strategic and generous with her time and expertise because she understands the impact interpersonal connections can have on the work we do as diversity and inclusion professionals.”
