Innovation in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Veteran Entrepreneur Leads Company Creating Workplace Excellence
Public speaker, author, and executive coach are just a few titles held by entrepreneur Donald Thompson. The co-founder and CEO of The Diversity Movement, Donald is an established thought leader on creating stronger company culture and helping drive organizational growth. He is also the author of the new book, Underestimated: A CEO's Unlikely Path to Success.
The Diversity Movement was founded in 2019 by five innovators from within marketing and branding agency Walk West where Donald served as CEO. The company launched by offering a single eLearning course. However, its clients needed additional services, so it quickly grew into a content, product, and data-driven organization, focusing on connecting DEI to real-world business outcomes. "Our clients turned to The Diversity Movement for cutting-edge content, analytics, and initiatives they could use to build stronger, healthier, and ultimately, more profitable workplaces," says Donald. "The real-world focus enabled us to grow exponentially."
Donald brought together a team of business strategists, marketing leaders, content experts, and Certified Diversity Executives to meet client needs. The Diversity Movement enables organizations to build and strengthen culture via a scalable, subscription-based employee experience platform. Its integrated approach helps companies build inclusive culture through the application of data-informed insight, technology, and DEI expertise. The platform is powered by 400 original digital learning lessons, 600-plus micro-learning videos delivered in a "Netflix for DEI" experience, and analytics that track culture-building progress.
"The Diversity Movement's products speed adoption of culture initiatives — proven to immediately benefit the bottom line," says Donald. "Whether an organization needs to improve retention and expand its talent pipeline or create an internal infrastructure for its diversity leader, our platform allows the culture-centric leader to quickly scale knowledge and see real-world financial results."
The Diversity Movement has won several accolades, including from Inc. and Business North Carolina. Its microlearning platform, "MicroVideos by The Diversity Movement," was named one of Fast Company's "2022 World Changing Ideas." Locally, the company was recognized as a Triangle Business Journal Fire Award winner, which highlighted start-ups "whose products and services are gaining quick acceptance in the marketplace."
When it comes to financial guidance, Donald turns to TowneBank. "With every new business venture, I start with TowneBank," he says. "The team helps me think about the future from the ground up — a true partnership. Any bank can open a checking account, but we all want to feel like the people we are working with have our best interest at heart. That's what I get with the TowneBank team."
In addition to leading The Diversity Movement, Donald hosts the "High Octane Leadership" podcast, pens a weekly leadership column for WRAL TechWire, and serves as a mentor for Black Founders Exchange, hosted by American Underground and Google for Startups. Donald also sits on several boards, including TowneBank Raleigh, Vivant Medical Center, Easterseals UCP, and the Raleigh Chamber, as well as several other organizations in the fields of technology, marketing, sports, and entertainment.
For more information, please visit DonaldThompson.com or TheDiversityMovement.com.
"The team helps me think about the future from the ground up — a true partnership. Any bank can open a checking account, but we all want to feel like the people we are working with have our best interest at heart. That's what I get with the TowneBank team."