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ON OUR MINDS
Brought to you this week by Philadelphia-area based Senior Account Executive Sheridan Earle, who knows she has too many tabs open, but just has so much she wants to read.
Visibility and Transparency this Pride Month and Always
Pride Month kicked off last week with a strong start for transgender representation. Laverne Cox inspired the first transgender Barbie Doll, Justine Lindsay is the first openly trans cheerleader in the NFL, and Marvel will soon introduce their first transgender superhero. While these moves signify growing cultural acceptance for our transgender community, we are still in a year that has seen over 300 anti-LGBTQI+ bills introduced across the country, 130 of which specifically target the rights of transgender people, such as Ohio’s proposed anti-trans sports bill which would require genital inspections. While businesses are still falling into “rainbow washing” habits, some are developing more impactful year-round campaigns. Unilever’s United We Stand campaign aims to make systemic change in areas ranked lowest on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index to empower local grassroots LGBTQI+ organizations. “Societal leadership is now a core function of business,” according to the 2022 Edelman Trust Barometer. Businesses must consider the moral and practical implications their stances on these issues will mean to their bottom line, as well as society at large.
Gun Reform Conversations Continue, As Do Mass Shootings
We cannot go a single day without discussing the tragedy and pattern of mass shootings in the U.S.; probably because there have been more mass shootings than days in the year. At least 246 occurred in the first 160 days of 2022. Since the Uvalde massacre (19 children and two adults murdered at Robb Elementary School) there have been at least 33 mass shootings, including one in my home city of Philadelphia, claiming the lives of 34 people and injuring over 150. President Biden issued remarks calling on lawmakers to take action, and polls suggest that most Americans support stricter gun control, but how people vote is not always in line with how they claim to feel on this issue. The “Protecting Our Kids Act,” a series of gun reform bills, did just pass the Democrat-controlled House, but is unlikely to pass the Senate. Electing politicians who can help enact legislation is vital, but don’t wait for November to make your voice heard. Reach out to your local legislators through Everytown for Gun Safety and take action with The Prevention Institute.
Working on Purpose
Meta COO Sheryl Sandberg’s announcement that she would be leaving the social media giant to focus on philanthropy reminds us no company is safe from losing top talent amidst shifting priorities. Sandberg cited reasons as “a really important moment for women” (likely a nod to the potential overturn of Roe v. Wade) and that her role didn’t leave “room for a lot of other stuff in your life.” Sometimes called The Great Reflection, workers continue seeking better work-life balance and employers who make a positive impact on the world. And just because someone has shifted recently, doesn’t mean they won’t again if their new company doesn’t deliver. So, how to retain workers? Fair wages, to start. According to the Institute for Policy Studies, the CEO-worker wage gap is still widening. Investing in employee well-being and developing an authentic social impact plan have also been cited as crucial to attracting and retaining talent, especially Millennials and Gen Z. Job seekers, expect to see companies advertising more progressive and employee-centric values; just remember to ask how they put these words into action.
As McPherson Strategies operates at the intersection of social impact and communications, we’re here for this purpose-driven employee landscape. Did I also mention that we’re hiring?
ON OUR RADAR
Read:
Cheer:
- Speaking of high-profile women giving back, McP client the Women’s Philanthropy Institute put out this op-ed in Philanthropy Women showcasing how MacKenzie Scott’s “all-in” approach to giving may help transform women and girls’ causes and the philanthropic landscape in general.
- Lisa Cook was confirmed as the first Black woman on the Federal Reserve Board.
- The Elevate Prize, out to “make good famous,” just introduced their new Get Loud award. Follow them @elevateprize on Instagram to see the grassroots organizations making a difference and nominate one you believe in.
- McP client Zoetis, the leading animal health company, published its 2021 Sustainability Progress Update describing the significant headway the company is making towards its long-term sustainability goals.
Watch:
Listen:
- Do you get lost in the “alphabet soup” of sustainability and ESG lingo? You’re in luck, because McP client Persefoni’s Chief Sustainability Officer Tim Mohin and Sustainability Advisory Board Coordinator Caitlyn Kinney just dropped the first episode of their new podcast, “Sustainability Decoded with Tim and Caitlin.”
- Hear an astronaut love story on this week’s episode of “Short Wave features Tam O'Shaughnessy,” long-time partner of Sally Ride, the first woman in space. Tam talks about their relationship and Sally Ride Science, a non-profit dedicated to inspiring young people in STEM careers.
- Avoid the pitfalls of diet culture this summer and tune into “Maintenance Phase,” a fun and educational podcast debunking wellness and weight loss myths.
Events:
- Black Lives Matter co-founder Ayọ Tometi will serve as Black Philanthropy Month’s 2022 Summit keynote speaker. Mark your calendars for the global in-person and virtual events to kick-off on August 3 and also for the Black Women Give Back Awards on August 31, co-hosted by the Women’s Philanthropy Institute. Nominations for the awards are open through July 3!
- Join The Desai Foundation, a public programmatic non-profit working in rural India, for an incredible Impact Tour in January 2023. Find all the details at their website.
- In NYC and interested in supporting Pride, Juneteenth and social entrepreneurship? Attend the "Culture First Happy Hour" on Wednesday, June 15, 5-8pm in Soho, NYC. Register here.
Subscribe:
- Our founder and CEO Susan McPherson recently chatted with Lisa Witter, World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, CEO of the Apolitical Foundation and co-founder of Apolitical on Susan's Connected newsletter.
Buy:
- Genius Guild Founder, Kathryn Finney, launched her new book, Build The Damn Thing.
- The Man Who Broke Capitalism, by McP friend David Gelles, explores the legacy of GE CEO Jack Welch as the root of all that’s wrong with capitalism and, more importantly, shares how we might fix it.
Apply:
- Podcast and public radio show “Our Body Politic” is looking for an Executive Producer. You may remember that their creator, Farai Chideya, joined McP client Tulaine Montgomery recently for a powerful episode of “Say More.”
- Vital Voices Global Partnership, a non-profit focused on elevating women's voices in leadership positions, is seeking a Vice President, Technology & Innovation. Learn more and apply here.
- The NYC Department of Veterans’ Services is looking for a Press Secretary. Search here and filter by Agency to find the job description.
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