The Belonging and Equity (BE) Center at FIU Hospitality
The Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University (FIU) leads the country as the most diverse hospitality school. We have over 142 countries represented in our university's student body. Diversity and inclusion are our core strengths and FIU remains committed to DE&I.
Diversity and Inclusion are rich with complexity because of our ever-changing societal norms, and demographic shifts. Equity within the DE&I triad is the least understood within professional hospitality spaces.
While hospitality is the most diverse global industry, there is a lack of diversity in senior level roles.
- <1%Of hospitality industry CEOs/Presidents are Black
- <11%Hispanic/Latinx professors in hospitality higher education
- <12%Women in hospitality industry leadership positions
- 40%The drastic drop of female employees by moving up to mid-level hospitality management
DE&I is a global challenge impacting a multitude of human and societal factors—with astonishing financial costs.
$2.6 Trillion
US Cost for gender/race disparities in 2019
$71 Trillion
US Cost for racial inequality since 1990
$3.1 Trillion
Expected US Cost for gender/race disparities by 2029
Leading with Equity
Equity is frequently omitted from high-profile training certificate programs and corporate titles of officers charged with creating cultures of belonging. Equity within organizational settings is the concept or process of taking inventory of individual needs so that all people might have the same or similar access to opportunities.
Demand for Equity is at the epicenter of the DE&I movement, and organizations that respond to these calls outperform their competitors. At the Chaplin school, we are committed to advocating for those least represented to create equitable opportunities that will allow our school, industry, and hospitality and tourism ecosystem to thrive.
Mission
The BE Center’s mission is to educate, celebrate, advocate, collaborate to achieve a culture of belonging within the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, the university, and our community.
Vision Statement
The BE Center’s vision is to engage faculty, students, staffs, and community members through meaningful programing that will create and celebrate equitable outcomes for all underrepresented groups within the hospitality echo system.
The first endowed Diversity, Equity & Inclusion professor of FIU's Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management
"DE&I is a multifaceted and complex topic, consequently it presents itself as a major organizational and institutional challenge. I firmly believe that together we can build a DEI Alliance to make real progress."
—Professor Brian Barker
Partnerships
Chaplin School and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits
In June 2021, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits,the world’s preeminent distributor of wine and spirits, reaffirmed its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by forming a historic relationship with Chaplin School, America's most diverse hospitality school. This partnership is part of a larger effort to bridge the gap between minority communities and the hospitality section through an alliance called the Alliance in Hospitality Equity and Diversity or AHED. The establishment of this national alliance focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. This partnership will concentrate on educational programming, academic research, mentorship, career pathing, scholarships, employee training/micro-credentialing, and forming synergies with existing partnerships.
Resources
FIU is committed to provide the highest quality educational and employment experience to its students, faculty, and staff in a nurturing and supportive environment. There are a number of resources available on campus and online.
Division of Diversity Equity & Inclusion
FIU Veteran and Military Affairs
Engagement Opportunities for Students
DE&I Course
HFT4294: Senior Seminar in Hospitality Management: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
In this class, students will develop critical thinking capabilities, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills through analyzing and creatively solving fundamental challenges faced in the hospitality industry. They will also be able to professionally communicate the research process as well as the solutions conducted on hospitality issues. Additionally, students will gain an understanding of fundamental leadership principles and apply them to their lives.
This Senior Seminar will specifically focus on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I)—examining concepts related to under-represented groups in the leadership of the hospitality and restaurant industries, with an emphasis on navigating challenges and creating opportunities for career advancement for aspiring leaders. The importance of diversity and inclusion efforts and the benefits that a diverse workforce provides organizations will be highlighted and discussed.
(Offered in Spring and Fall semesters)
Diversity Scholarship Opportunities
- Roots Scholarship Fund
- Marvin and Hazel Shanken DE&I Scholarship Fund
- Black Hospitality Initative (BHI) Scholarship
- Donate
National Society of Minorities in Hospitality at FIU
The Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management recognizes the commitment of the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH) to Educating, Encouraging, and Empowering minority students in pursuing careers in the hospitality industry. This organization is student lead and run.
Support DE&I at Chaplin Hospitality
It takes action and support to effect change in the world and make a difference in DE&I. As a donor, you can play an important role in the future of DE&I at the Chaplin School. We thank you for being a champion of change and for your support!