Does a minority manage you? How about a woman? What about your company's board of directors? Does it have minority and/or women members?

These were some of the questions asked of the 450 participants at last week's Café Mosaic, the third installment of the popular series put on by the Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM) and their Mosaic Council Partners to address diversity.

Held at the Milwaukee Art Museum, the event attracted several hundred young professionals as well as 65 community and business leaders.

"YPM events are consistently great. I enjoy the interesting and challenging conversation, always hearing new perspectives from their members," said Steve Smith, chairman and CEO, Journal Communications.

"The fact that so many influential leaders and young people attend our mosaic cafés shows that the format and focus have struck a cord with the community-at-large," said Shelley Jurewicz, executive director of YPM.

Organizers said the intent of the Mosaic Café Series isn't to fix diversity problems in the traditional sense, rather to move Milwaukee toward "living diversity," the mantra of YPM's Mosaic Strategy.

"Each time we get together the crowd is large and diverse, and the format gets us all meeting a lot of different people in a very short time, discussing something that is of importance to everyone in the room," said Paul Grant, YPM Mosaic Council Chair. "And it's all topped off with the Mosaic Challenge to get out have a cup of java, drink or dinner with someone you meet during the course of the evening."

The café kicked-off with the Ajula Youth Drummers of the Milwaukee Public Theater.

The group explored how Milwaukee can rise above the national average for minorities and women in management if employers have a tendency to hire and promote people who are themselves.

"We all do it," said Shary Tran, YPM Mosaic Council member. "The key is to expanding our perspective of 'likeness,' and that's what is happening to those attending our cafés."

According to statistics gathered by YPM, minorities and women aren't well represented in metro Milwaukee companies, bringing Milwaukee below national averages.

"I was surprised by the statistics and to hear the differing views on the subject. It opens your mind," said Angela Bross, a young professional in attendance.

YPM's next Café Mosaic event is June 17. For more information, visit http://ypm.mmac.org.