Doing the Work on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

B The Change Weekly: February 7, 2020

Delivered on Fridays, B the Change Weekly delivers the most important and most relevant stories about people using business as a force for good. The newsletter features a weekly note from the B the Change team alongside insight and context on the stories we share here on Medium. Below is our latest roundup. To receive these insights directly in your inbox, sign up for B the Change Weekly today. Now on to the good stuff:

By committing to a more inclusive economy, Certified B Corporations commit to creating opportunities for people of all backgrounds and experiences to work that supports them and their families and allows them to contribute to their communities.

Sometimes this means B Corps step forward to forge new paths for others to follow, and other times it means B Corps take a step back to create a larger circle so others can join and collaborate — and even take the lead.

This week B The Change Weekly highlights examples — such as innovative hiring models, outreach to future workers, and workplace programs that encourage honest conversations — to help you lead, collaborate, learn, and collectively improve the impact of the B Economy.

Twice a year, Namasté Solar offers a “Right Use of Power” workshop for its workers that explains behaviors that perpetuate oppression and unhealthy power dynamics in the workplace and beyond. (Photo courtesy Namasté Solar)

Creating Change — Small and Large

Through business practices and worker programs, B Corps are taking action to better reflect and serve the world around them. As they aim to improve their impact on all stakeholders — including consumers, workers, and community — they work to create more inclusive and equitable workplaces, so that business works for everyone.

This B The Change article shares examples of innovative equity, diversity and inclusion work at a variety of B Corps, and highlights how small and large programs at small and large companies can add up to real, significant change.

Shining a Light on Diversity

B Corp Bulb operates on the belief that companies have a social and environmental responsibility over and above making a profit, and that building a diverse team is a crucial part of the journey.

On B The Change, Bulb shares how it is combining data with a human touch to improve diversity among its team of employees.

Digging into Racial Equity

Since opening as a single-scoop shop in 1978, Ben & Jerry’s has grown into a global business with a three-part mission focused on making fantastic ice cream, creating sustainable financial growth, and finding innovative ways to make the world a better place.

Read on B The Change how Ben & Jerry’s social mission has grown alongside its collection of ice cream flavors to include advocacy for racial and criminal justice, democracy and fair trade.

Stay in the Know

Here’s your chance to catch up on recent articles:

Expanding Business Social Responsibility: How Companies Can Morally and Ethically Act on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: B Corps Expand Company and Worker Mindsets While Also Broadening Business Opportunities
How Improving Access to Funding Can Help Close the Racial Wealth Gap: Growing a Company Can Transform Business Owners and Their Communities — and More Women of Color Should Have That Opportunity
Are Your Employees Struggling Financially? Start with Economic Empathy: How Companies Can Create Trust and Help Workers Build Financial Stability
My Team Isn’t Getting My Long-Term Vision for the Company. What Can I Do Differently? How Sticky Notes and Trustworthy Feedback Can Help You Identify Achievable Ideas and Inspire Your Colleagues
Moving from Alpha to Beta: BlackRock and the Basics of Financial Sustainability: It’s Time to Go Beyond the ‘Business Case’ for Investment Change
Develop the Most Effective Impact Strategies with This New Tool: How the SDG Action Manager Can Help Your Company Move the Impact Needle
A New Take on Worker Cooperatives: Joseph Cureton Employs Innovative Business Model

B the Change gathers and shares the voices from within the movement of people using business as a force for good and the community of Certified B Corporations. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the nonprofit B Lab.

Doing the Work on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion was originally published in B The Change on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.