Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Hampton Roads Chamber
Ronnie Parker serves as the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for the Hampton Roads Chamber. In this capacity, Ronnie works with the Chamber to support strategies that ensure a diverse and inclusive business environment. Ronnie also provides guidance and support in dealing with diverse workplace issues and community engagement to include supplier diversity and corporate social responsibility.
Ronnie Parker has been a resident of Virginia since 2009 through his military service in the United States Navy. Ronnie first attended college at East Carolina University majoring in Hospitality Management. Ronnie went on to attend Regent University majoring in Business Management and finishing with a Master’s of Public Administration.
After his military service, Ronnie became a Team Supervisor for the American Red Cross running blood operations and drives in several cities and multiple states. After the Red Cross, Ronnie went on to serve as the Executive Assistant to the President and CEO of the Hampton Roads Chamber while simultaneously serving as the Administrative Officer of the Hampton Roads Military Advisory Council and the Executive Director of RVA-757 Connects (formerly known as RVA-Hampton Roads Megaregion Collaborative). In these roles, Ronnie helped bring military and business leaders together to better serve the active and veteran military community while also creating partnerships between Richmond and Hampton Roads for megaregion economic awareness and prosperity.
Ronnie currently serves as the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer where he works to help businesses understand the importance of investing in and creating initiatives for diversity, equity and inclusion. Ronnie also works with the Chamber’s DEI Committee to provide programming, resources and guidelines for organizations that look to implement diverse and equitable initiatives. Ronnie is a member of the American Society for Public Administration, served on the Volunteer Hampton Roads Volunteer Achievement Awards committee and has multiple awards and certifications through Dale Carnegie.
Ronnie resides in Virginia Beach with his wife Michelle and twin children Ronnie and Isabella.
“When you are continually reminded that you have little to no value, it’s easy to be convinced that all the rules are stacked against you. Your worst fears are not possible. They are probable.” This quote from a character named Mr. Ibis from the show “American Gods” resonates with many Black Americans and is an illuminating statement for a reason behind Black History Month.
The Hampton Roads Chamber is proud to celebrate Black History Month in February. We honor the commitments and accomplishments of Black leaders year-round but pay special attention during this month set aside for positive reflection and growth. Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative has grown over the past three years and will offer several programs.
As the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for the Hampton Roads Chamber, it is my responsibility to view everything we do through an equitable and inclusive lens for the business community. The recent passing of the Honorable Congressman John Lewis left our nation with an essay that asked for togetherness and hope. John Lewis shared the concept of getting into “good trouble” and standing up for what is right. As leaders in the business community we should be asking ourselves, how we can take Congressman Lewis’s message and change the current narrative? How do we examine our personal values and the values we have instilled in our organizations? In these current times of our Nation, it is imperative for us to look at methods for getting into good trouble and how it relates to inclusivity and success.