Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1507211
34 B M & T ••• September/October 2023 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com sibility is getting people to understand the challenges, relationship building and creating partnerships," said DeShields. "We have 35 leaders from all of the major organizations. I ensure that they are engaged and aware." After decades in the industry, DeShields, who exudes selfassuredness and friendliness, has seen it all yet he's never given up hope that things can and will change. "As Black peo ple as we educate the next generation, we all have to think beyond operating hotels," said DeShields. "Why don't we educate young Black people to think about working in finan cial departments, or the architectural designs of a hotel, or negotiating a deal?" DeShields said a greater ability to provide needs to be offered. "It's been decades and we are still talking about Black people not get ting opportunities at senior levels," said the proud Philadelphia native, who has a list of awards and honors too extensive to list. "I would have thought by now to have been fur ther down the road. In 2022, the last thing we should be talking about is a lack of Black lead ership. We should be able to get this right at some point." DeShields, a certified diversity executive, said racism is still a fly in the ointment of hotel ownership. "We need to own more so we can do more," said DeShields, a former hospitality manager for several organizations. "Racism still exists. It's about ownership. Asians own 50 51% of the hotels in our industry. We need to own more. Ownership will drive our opportu nities at all levels." DeShields believes the issue with Black peo ple is money. "We know how to deliver the service that customers expect," he said. "It's always about access to capital. We have to have the ability to work with financial institu tions. Access to capital is right at the top. Seed money is needed. Capital gains money." DeShields is proud of the work TDM is doing. The company has four pillars of activity – Workforce Development, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Research & Data, and the Apprentice Program. "Through our apprentice program we talk about our industry and why it's impor tant to go into it as a career," said DeShields. "There is a career path. We have a talent pipeline component. Future leaders are able to get into a professional development track. Right now we're working with the HBCU con sortium. We have apprentices across the coun try. We are providing paths to career success." TDM, which has a DEI conference scheduled for October 2023 and one that will take place in Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C., is the collaborative leader of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the tourism and events industry. "DEI has little substantive meaning if it's not supported by research and data," said DeShields. "We do an organization assess ment. A lot of it is through our ability to do data analysis. We survey from the reception ist to the CEO, to the board, staff, and stake holders." Today when you talk to DeShields, his feel ings about the industry have changed due to the success of TDM. Now, he's "encouraged." "I'm working at an organization that is there to make a difference," said DeShields. "I have to believe there is something better. Still, my observations make it clear to me that I have my work cut out for me. I'm not running from a challenge." DeShields, who headed the Philadelphia CVB's PHL Diversity effort from 2014 until taking on his current role, is an integral part of the growth and success of TDM. He's had a long, impressive, and storied career in tourism that began when he graduated from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, with an A.S. in Hotel & Restaurant Management; and B.S. in Hospitality Management. When he's not working to change the indus try, DeShields, who has been married to his husband, Thomas, for 30 years, said the rule at home regarding work is to "turn it off." That's where he enjoys cars, doing puzzles, listening to Aretha Franklin, watching 'The Days of Wine and Roses' and the vintage television show, 'Julia,' starring Diahann Carroll, and traveling to Canada for Christmas and Quebec City for the New Year. His favorite hobby is cooking. "I love to cook," he said. "I don't need a recipe. I love to envision what something can be. I love the idea of inventing. My favorite thing to cook is fried chicken and collard greens. I'm constantly trying to perfect my fried chicken." "DEI has little substantive meaning if it's not supported by research and data ,"