As we honor Martin Luther King Jr. today, I ask you to take a moment to remember that America remains a mosaic. We are made of different parts from many different places. While this has long been our nation's story, recent events have shown this to be true more than ever.

Look no further than the November 2012 elections. The results of those elections were influenced by minorities in an unprecedented way. Indeed, many of the elected are minorities. The composition of the 113th Congress reflects historical diversity with 101 women, 45 African-Americans, 31 Latinos and 12 Asian-Americans, among others.

America is more diverse than ever, and it is important we all remember this — especially those of us in the business community.

Every business has an audience, a community or customers it serves. Without a doubt, that community looks, thinks and acts differently than it did even 10 short years ago. As a result, businesses face new realities that require new attitudes and approaches. How should a business successfully adjust to this new reality? By welcoming it. We should not simply accept diversity — but welcome it. When businesses welcome diversity, fresh inspiration, renewed energy and exciting opportunities follow.

This is what we've experienced at Waller. My law firm has a rich history of leadership in recruiting, promoting and retaining women and minority attorneys. Our approach is different. We want diverse professionals because it creates a higher quality of legal services. Our attorneys come to the table with common goals but uncommon backgrounds. When diverse attorneys focus on a common goal, it fosters a more robust exchange of ideas; it energizes and yields new and better options to increasingly complex business problems. Our clients tell us they appreciate that our varied experiences bring invaluable perspective and innovative solutions.

More than simply making business sense, welcoming diversity is critical to being a good corporate citizen. To best understand and support the communities in which we operate, we must open our doors to the entire community and walk out our doors into every corner of the community. Otherwise, we deny ourselves opportunities to make the world, no matter how large or small, a better place.

This year, we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the document that brought an end to slavery in the U.S. Today we celebrate the legacy of Dr. King, the man whose name is synonymous with the 20th-century crusade to make the Emancipation Proclamation a new reality for all. What will we be celebrating tomorrow?

U.S. Census Bureau figures released last month project that minorities will soon become the majority. If businesses in Nashville, and around the nation, see the promise in this new reality, there will be renewed cause for celebration. The places we work will look like the diverse communities we call home. And our lives will be richer for it in every way.

Previously published in The Tennessean, January 2013

For further information visit Waller

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.