Black Meetings & Tourism - NATIONAL COALITION OF BLACK MEETING PROFESSIONALS CALLS ON AMERICAN AIRLINES TO ACT

Industry Briefs
NATIONAL COALITION OF BLACK MEETING PROFESSIONALS CALLS ON AMERICAN AIRLINES TO ACT
The National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP) commends the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), on its call for a response to the reported troubling discriminatory patterns of American Airlines. As we enter the peak of summer season for Black travelers, it is important to us that the friendly skies are friendly to everyone. In the current combative culture hovering over the principles of equity, it is important that the travel industry chooses dignity over tolerating discrimination. Additionally, we believe that change starts from the top of the organization and begins with the Board of Directors and C-Suite Executives. We are recommending the following actions be implemented immediately: · American Airlines acknowledge and report, the findings of the independent investigation. · An Advisory Council be established and supported by an equitably paid team of diversity and inclusion experts with implementation authority. The Advisory Council should have a clear objective with measurable outcomes that are practiced companywide. · An annual audit to measure and track experience and customer satisfaction of racially diverse travelers within the questionnaire of American Airlines patrons. · The creation of an independent Ombuds Office to support and protect employees who witness discriminatory incidents happening within the company. Why does NCBMP care? The National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals was founded February 23, 1983, on the principles of friendship, equity, and empowerment. Our Founders were all association executives, who chose to leverage their economic power to advance and recognize Black meeting professionals’ industry wide. Our very existence as an organization was created in the spirit of advocacy with the knowledge of our economic impact on a destination, airline or hotel brand. Today our organization serves as the primary organization supporting Black hospitality professionals, who represent an annual spend of $129 billion annually. Again, we commend the position of the NAACP as it elevates awareness and supports the humanity of travel. We understand the importance of standing for fundamental freedoms and supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from all levels and we will continue to push for positive change. We know that this issue is not limited to one airline and will continue to seek dialogue and action from all segments of our industry. We also understand the power and influence of tourism to any economy and will support those, who support us, which is why our motto, and our guiding principle is...We do Business with our Friends. ABOUT NCBMP: The National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP), founded in 1983, is a non-profit organization that seeks to educate and empower Black hospitality professionals, and all business minded professionals who believe in equity. Since its founding, NCBMP has made a significant impact in the hospitality community by advocating for equity and helping members maximize their return on investment.

Industry Briefs

NATIONAL COALITION OF BLACK MEETING PROFESSIONALS CALLS ON AMERICAN AIRLINES TO ACT

The National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP) commends the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), on its call for a response to the reported troubling discriminatory patterns of American Airlines. As we enter the peak of summer season for Black travelers, it is important to us that the friendly skies are friendly to everyone. In the current combative culture hovering over the principles of equity, it is important that the travel industry chooses dignity over tolerating discrimination. Additionally, we believe that change starts from the top of the organization and begins with the Board of Directors and C-Suite Executives.

We are recommending the following actions be implemented immediately:

· American Airlines acknowledge and report, the findings of the independent investigation.

· An Advisory Council be established and supported by an equitably paid team of diversity and inclusion experts with implementation authority. The Advisory Council should have a clear objective with measurable outcomes that are practiced companywide.

· An annual audit to measure and track experience and customer satisfaction of racially diverse travelers within the questionnaire of American Airlines patrons.

· The creation of an independent Ombuds Office to support and protect employees who witness discriminatory incidents happening within the company.

Why does NCBMP care?

The National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals was founded February 23, 1983, on the principles of friendship, equity, and empowerment. Our Founders were all association executives, who chose to leverage their economic power to advance and recognize Black meeting professionals’ industry wide. Our very existence as an organization was created in the spirit of advocacy with the knowledge of our economic impact on a destination, airline or hotel brand. Today our organization serves as the primary organization supporting Black hospitality professionals, who represent an annual spend of $129 billion annually.

Again, we commend the position of the NAACP as it elevates awareness and supports the humanity of travel. We understand the importance of standing for fundamental freedoms and supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from all levels and we will continue to push for positive change. We know that this issue is not limited to one airline and will continue to seek dialogue and action from all segments of our industry. We also understand the power and influence of tourism to any economy and will support those, who support us, which is why our motto, and our guiding principle is...We do Business with our Friends.

ABOUT NCBMP:

The National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP), founded in 1983, is a non-profit organization that seeks to educate and empower Black hospitality professionals, and all business minded professionals who believe in equity. Since its founding, NCBMP has made a significant impact in the hospitality community by advocating for equity and helping members maximize their return on investment.