Story Archive

Bring Your Own Spoon

Gov. Bruce Rauner of Illinois attended a Black History Month event in Chicago, and was summoned to the stage by Tyronne Stoudemire, a diversity and inclusion executive from Hyatt Hotels. Stoudemire poured a glass of milk to illustrate to the Republican governor that white men lead most organizations. Then Stoudemire added chocolate syrup to the glass, and pointed out that it sank to the bottom. “When you look at most organizations, diversity sits at the bottom of the organization,” Stoudemire explained. “You don’t get inclusion until you actually stir it up.” Gov. Rauner stirred the liquids together as Stoudemire concluded, “Diversity is the mix, and inclusion is making the mix work.” The governor then took a gulp of the chocolate milk and exclaimed, “It’s really, really good. Diversity!” (RC/Chicago Tribune) ...But rumors that the governor told his aide the good flavor was “thanks to the white sugar” are just that — rumors.