When administrators at John Knox Village of Florida, Inc., life plan retirement community sought to enhance their approach to diversity, equity and inclusion, they looked more acutely in the last seven years within their Pompano Beach community — and outward to the marketplace.
Traditional senior-serving, retirement and life plan communities at the time existed in a “sea of sameness,” said Monica McAfee, the chief marketing and innovation officer. Her team envisioned a way to set the community apart from the competition.
Founded in the late 1960s as a home for retired Baptist ministers, it had evolved dramatically, especially over the last decade. Yet, its nearly 1,000 residents and 800 staff hardly reflected the larger Broward community or the world itself, McAfee said.
Their staff spoke English, Creole and Spanish, but training at the time wasn’t provided in employees’ their native languages. The community was growing diverse, yet Jewish, Catholic, African American and LGBTQ residents were few. [..]
Click here to read the full piece. This story was originally published by POZ Magazine on August 11, 2023.
