Diversity and inclusion the focus of forum in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A Springfield panel of business leaders and educators promised Thursday that African-American and Hispanic professionals will be given the same consideration at their white counterparts.

On the eve of the beginning of Black History Month, the Springfield Common Ground Business Forum outlined their goals.

Retired Nurse Jean Denton Thompson of Amherst told 22News that in the 1970's, minority professionals were treated badly.

“I had training as an LPN and I could not find any work at all,” Thompson said. “And I didn't see too many people who looked like me in the medical field”

People who attended Thursday’s forum at Monarch Place promised that in today's world, any form of discrimination against qualified minorities will be counterproductive.