THE MCPHERSON MEMO

ON OUR MINDS
Today’s issue by Lauren Hill, Senior Account Executive, who is ultra excited that it’s finally Spring!
 
Preserving our voting rights
Georgia made headlines again this week, but this time for a voting bill that significantly restricts voting access in the state. Since the bill was signed last Friday, it has prompted lawsuits from prominent civil rights groups and economic boycotts against Georgia corporate leaders. The pressure mounted and Delta Airlines and Coca-Cola reversed course to make their objections to the new bill crystal clear. Just this afternoon, the MLB announced it would be pulling the 2021 All-Star Game out of Georgia. Earlier this week, 72 Black executives signed on to an open letter demanding corporate America take action to fight GOP-led legislation that would similarly restrict voting access in at least 43 states. These are all examples of the continued responsibility and impact of the voices of corporate America. 
 
Protecting Asian lives
In response to the rising number of attacks on the Asian community, President Biden announced six new actions to tackle anti-violence and discrimination. At the request of many advocates, Biden will appoint a permanent director to lead the coordination of policies across the federal government. Asian American business leaders have also pledged to give $10 million back to AAPI causes. There are many ways that we as individuals can support the AAPI community by donating to organizations on the front line and supporting local Asian American businesses. For instance, cookbook author Grace Young went from weekly visits to Chinatown in Manhattan for groceries and goods to almost daily trips to ensure that the businesses there were supported. 
 
Looking ahead  
On the heels of our founder Susan McPherson’s recent book release, The Lost Art of Connecting, many of us are starting to look ahead towards what safe in-person connections will look and feel like very soon. Just this week, it was announced that all 50 states have expanded or will expand vaccine eligibility to everyone 16 and up and surveys have shown a drop in vaccine hesitancy among Americans overall. Tech companies, nonprofits and state agencies have even shifted efforts toward building digital vaccine certificates or vaccine passports to support a healthy approach to travel and socializing in the coming months. While the country rapidly expands its efforts to vaccinate citizens, grassroots groups are rapidly helping homebound seniors get vaccinated in Los Angeles and self-proclaimed vaccine hunters are helping those less tech-savvy snag appointments online. Some consumers are also urging brands to help with the vaccine rollout.  

ON OUR RADAR

Read: 

• President Biden unveiled a massive $2 trillion infrastructure proposal that he says would deliver a "once-in-a-generation investment" in the U.S. Here are the 6 key numbers to know. 
• This week McP client NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises announced a two-year partnership with Susan G. Komen to improve breast care initiatives and education for Hispanic women in the U.S.
• Big news in the renewable energy space with the Biden administration's announcement this week. Our client Climate Jobs National Resource Center offered their take on how to ensure decisions like this create good jobs and ensure a more equitable future for all.
• Check out these tips to kick zoom fatigue to the curb in a piece from McPherson Strategies’ own Susan McPherson. 
• These women are making strides to advance gender equality. Check out Apolitical’s 100 most influential women in gender policy. 
• Reading is a powerful tool to improve mental wellness. Fable is the social platform for readers. Join now for free. 

• Learn how to define and build a regenerative business. Download the Sustainable Brands Report here.  
• To help schools across the country address vaccine hesitancy, McP client Brooklyn LAB launched School Vaccine Hub, a central source of information and resources about COVID-19 vaccines from trustworthy medical and public institutions.
• Youth anxiety is on the rise, especially on social media. Check out and share this expert-backed framework to help support young people's mental health.
• This Leadership Development Program from GreenBiz is training the next generation of sustainable business leaders. Registration closes April 12th. 
• Congratulations to client Reimagine Gender on the launch of this website! Whether you're a business leader, parent or policymaker, there's a ton of rich content that can help you navigate the changing world of gender. 

• Susan sat down (virtually) with Claire Wasserman of Ladies Get Paid to discuss her new book. Check it out here. 
• This new heartwarming ad from Pantene features two moms and a trans daughter highlighting the importance of gender affirmations and knowing who you are. 
• Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind Sesame Street, is taking an intentional approach to discussing race. 
• Procter & Gamble is putting more money behind Black creators and media. Here’s why.
• Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation, says generosity is no longer enough. Tune in to his conversation around how philanthropies must attack inequality on 60 minutes this weekend April 4th 7PM ET/PT.

• “Seneca’s 100 Women to Hear” discusses why the most important thing we can do is ask “How can I help?,” with author and McPherson Strategies founder, Susan McPherson.
• McP client Daniella Ballou-Aares of Leadership Now Project discusses the business of democracy on “Masters of Scale Rapid Response."

• McP client New Profit is hiring a Manager of Communications. 
• Columbia University in the City of New York is hiring a Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. 
• Global Citizen is looking for a Chief of Staff to the President/COO. Apply here.
• Peloton is looking for a Director of Global Marketing to lead and develop world-class brand campaigns and activations to support its unique brand. 
• Girls Scouts of America is looking for its next national CEO to steward their 109-year-old organization into the next decade of existence with vision, heart, and innovation. Interested candidates with experience in the non-profit sector can email GSUSACEO@SpencerStuart.com to apply.