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ON OUR MINDS
Brought to you this week by Account Coordinator Liza Butegwa, who just celebrated Africa Day!
What’s changed in a year
This week marked one year since the murder of George Floyd. In that year, some things have changed but, sadly, much has stayed the same, with continued police killings and systemic racism permeating our society. While conversations towards healing have been taking place in the living room and (virtual) board room, tangible progress is harder to identify. Brands have publicly recognized their role in speaking out against injustices, yet the systemic change promised has been slow to materialize. A recent report by the Creative Investment Research team shows that of the $50 billion companies pledged to support civil rights organizations and communities of color, only $250 million has been spent or committed to an initiative. Among the companies cited, Apple, PayPal, Twitter and Netflix are some that have delivered. This analysis in Politico rings true: “there are real risks of backsliding into old habits now that the Black Lives Matter protests have faded from the news, at least for now.”
In business we trust
According to the latest Edelman Trust Barometer study, trust in businesses is at an all-time high, with research showing the public holds them in higher regard than the government and NGOs. The question is, how will businesses use this influence to deliver meaningful change for their consumers, employees, and for society in an equitable way, and how can they place equity at the core of business strategy to move beyond one-time statements and moments in time? While we have seen that large companies can afford to be both impactful and profitable, what opportunities exist for small, minority-owned businesses? This SSIR article makes the case for building a social business infrastructure that will help make this practice the new norm in the private sector.
Equitably greening our world
It was a good week for the planet — and a bad week for oil and gas. As we celebrate World Environment Day on June 5, we are reminded that calls for equity in finance, policing and business practices must be accompanied by environmental equity as well. Climate change poses an existential threat to the world, but — much like the pandemic — will have a disproportionate effect on the most vulnerable. Businesses have been on the front lines of innovation and greening of the economy and our society, whether through the exponential growth of electric vehicle sales or redirecting finance and investment towards green activities. Companies must ensure that as they go green, they provide job opportunities in the communities most affected by climate change, and limit the negative effects that certain green activities and renewable technologies have on people and the environment.
ON OUR RADAR
Read:
- Get inspired! Catherine St-Laurent, former Senior Communications Officer of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Chief of Staff to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, shared her story about finding “a sense of purpose” in this interview with ELLE.
- “When women have more money, they have more power. Is there a greater threat to the patriarchy than that?” Loved this op-ed in Fortune from Lindsey Taylor Wood, founder and CEO of The Helm.
- An interesting take in Fast Company on what Clubhouse means for businesses moving forward.
- Also in Fast Company: our client Lisa Kenney talks about one of the most common mistakes that companies make on gender.
- “It really is the Wild West” — an important analysis on the increased demand for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion experts in corporate America featured in The Cut this week.
- Glassdoor data found that LGBTQ+ employees are less satisfied at work compared to their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts. Read the insights here.
Celebrate:
- Congrats to our friends at Geben Communication on acquiring Women Online — excited for what’s next!
- Voice in Sport, founded by Nike executive and former CEO of rag & bone Stef Strack, is changing the game for girls and women in sport. The team created the first digital membership platform for women athletes democratizing access to mental health and nutrition resources.
- Today is Menstrual Hygiene Day, yet around the world, COVID has exacerbated period poverty, the lack of access to menstrual products. McP client the Desai Foundation has been working nonstop to counter this impact, which could lead to a decrease in gender equity in education and an increase in child marriage. You can support their mission and celebrate Menstrual Hygiene Day by Pledging Your Period with a donation or post on social—you don't have to bleed to do it!
Listen:
- The latest episode of the Grow for Good podcast features McP client Jeannette Ferran Astorga, Head of Sustainability at Zoetis, who talks about how the company is putting animal health and local communities at the forefront of its sustainability efforts.
- I highly recommend listening to How to Citizen with Baratunde’s powerful episode featuring Ai-jen Poo, co-founder and Executive Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance.
- Street Business School founder Devin Hibbard, also a client, spoke to the Business of Giving podcast about their unique social franchise model and how they plan to help one million women lift their families out of poverty by 2027.
Watch:
- June is Pride Month! This Human Rights Campaign Video highlights the importance of the Equality Act. Here are four actions you can take now.
- Next week marks 100 years since the Tulsa Race Massacre. History, National Geographic, and PBS will be releasing three new documentaries covering this and wider racial violence and injustice stories in America.
- Susan spoke at Talks with Google and discussed how to forge authentic and lasting relationships, especially as we re-emerge from a year of isolation.
Apply:
- McP client New Profit is hiring an Associate Partner to join the Future of Work team. Apply here.
- LG Electronics is hiring a Director of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility. Apply here.
- Peloton is hiring a Director of Social Impact and Cultural Marketing. Apply here.
- Know anyone looking to gain more experience in social impact communications? We are hiring for our Social Impact Fellowship.
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