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ON OUR MINDS
Brought to you this week by Account Coordinator Liza Butegwa, who is thankful for her husband and pup in these trying times.
The contrasts are deafening
This week we witnessed history as rioters and domestic terrorists stormed Capitol Hill. Like many others, I can’t help but notice the stark differences between the reactions by law enforcement on Wednesday and during the Black Lives Matter protests over the summer. Sadly, few of us are shocked by this, because we know historically that all voices aren’t always heard — all votes have not always been counted and basic human rights at the hands of police have been reserved for only a few. Separately, activist groups like Color of Change and numerous business leaders called for social media companies to take action and block Trump’s accounts — a move that may prove too little too late. Meanwhile, we were encouraged to see some companies taking steps to uphold the democratic process, including Ben & Jerry’s condemnation of Wednesday’s riots with a clear racial equality lens. Shopify also closed online stores affiliated with the Trump campaign denouncing entities that condone violence.
A reimagining of gender in Congress (and beyond!)
Looking ahead to this month’s inauguration, we are excited by Congress’ announcement of proposed new reforms to foster a more inclusive and diverse culture. These measures are aimed at making the House “more accountable, transparent and effective in our work to meet the needs of the American people.” Building on the election of the first nonbinary state lawmaker last year, this move signals that our governing bodies are one step closer to reflecting the communities they serve — which recognize the future is gender fluid. For businesses, understanding these shifts in gender norms unleashes possibilities for both customers and employees. McPherson client Reimagine Gender is committed to helping organizations create environments free of constricting gender norms, where everyone is empowered to be their authentic self. This month and next, CEO Lisa Kenney is holding trainings designed to help people understand the basics of gender, as well as one-hour Practitioner Trainings for HR, marketing and customer service. You can register for these workshops here.
Leading with purpose
Faced with a pandemic, racial injustice and electoral mayhem, companies ventured into previously unseen territories in 2020 and lent their influence to help solve these issues. Among the predictions of how this involvement in social issues may evolve, an exciting possibility is companies working together toward a common purpose, becoming “industry allies rather than competitors.” The growing awareness of the power businesses hold to create the change we want to see in the world is a bright spot from a grim year. A recent article by Christina Blacken posits companies should evolve Corporate Social Responsibility to Corporate Social Justice. I see no lies there. Stay tuned for Susan’s annual forecast on Forbes, coming next week.
ON OUR RADAR
Read:
- How do we ensure equitable distribution of the vaccine? The New York Times interviewed experts about considerations we must take when designing an inclusive rollout strategy.
- Rebecca Henderson’s article in Harvard Business Review calls on all business leaders to move on from the assumption that someone else will ensure democracy. Read the full piece here.
Celebrate:
- Warnock and Ossoff’s historic wins in Georgia as the first Black and Jewish senators, thanks largely to Stacey Abrams' vision and others' dedicated efforts to bring out more Black voters.
- Client Telemundo, in partnership with Comcast Internet Essentials and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, launched the #FamiliasOnline effort last month to help bridge the digital divide and support intergenerational connection for students, families and seniors across the U.S. through a laptop and Wi-Fi giveaway.
- Celebrating essential workers should continue long after 2020. We were excited to see the NFL’s announcement inviting vaccinated healthcare workers to the Super Bowl this year.
Listen:
- Nicholas Kristof joined Kara Swisher on her podcast “Sway” and discussed the role of companies in doing good and serving the public interest. Kristof states, “I believe two things: 1) This is a really important trend that could lead to positive change; and, 2) So far it has been mostly window dressing.” Listen to the episode here.
- On Guy Raz’s “How I Built This," Morra Aarons-Mele of Women Online reiterated how we can all move past our anxieties to become great leaders.
Watch:
- There’s long been a history of white-washing African American stories in Hollywood. We’re excited by the release of Sylvie’s Love, directed by Eugene Ashe — a welcome break indeed!
- If you’re in need of some cheering up, watch this adorable compilation of 2020 in dogs. I’m not crying, you are.
- Map out your streaming plans with this New York Times curated list of movies and TV shows across different platforms.
- As a period novel fan, seeing increased representation in live-action depictions is thrilling! Congratulations to Bridgerton’s star Nicola Coughlan for celebrating the show’s color-conscious casting.
Apply:
- The Black Aids Institute is hiring a Director of Operations based in Los Angeles. Apply here.
- Applications are now open for The 2021 NPR Reflect America Fellowship. Learn more about the position here.
- Girls who Code is hiring! Click the link to apply for the Logistics Coordinator position based in NYC or remotely.
- The International Rescue Committee is hiring a Senior Communications Officer for corporate partnerships. Apply here.
- So is McPherson Strategies! Apply here.
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