Learning (and Unlearning) to Build a More Inclusive Economy
B The Change Weekly: June 17, 2022
Delivered on Fridays, B The Change Weekly provides 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:
“We’ve found we’re pretty good at acknowledging we don’t know everything.” — Kobie Hatcher, CEO of Cyborg Mobile
In their pursuit of a more inclusive and regenerative economy, Hatcher and other Certified B Corporation leaders are learning (and unlearning) behaviors and developing collaborative, innovative solutions. As shared in the articles below, that can include creating mentorship programs to diversify the tech industry, finding values-aligned investors for under-represented social entrepreneurs, or incorporating circular practices into the fashion industry.
By taking action now, B Corps are moving forward in their long-term journey toward racial equity, climate justice, and a stakeholder economy — tackling challenges to create systemic change. As fellow changemakers on this journey, we hope you have a wonderful day of commemoration or service on Juneteenth.
Business Practices to Bridge the Racial Wealth Gap
A recent RESET Leadership online workshop on achieving racial equity provided statistics about the U.S. racial wealth gap: a $10 trillion challenge. To inspire other businesses to begin or expand their racial equity efforts, the workshop highlighted B Corps and other organizations working to bridge the gap through their practices and programs.
Raising Millions to Support Under-Represented Entrepreneurs
At Opportunity Main Street, under-represented entrepreneurs in the Baltimore area can tap into support and education about community-based investing. For Co-Founder Jenny Kassan, who also leads B Corp The Kassan Group, it’s one way to help social entrepreneurs fund their company’s growth without sacrificing their values and vision.
Creating Timely Styles — and Art — with Circular Practices
As a B Corp and street fashion company committed to continuous improvement in sustainability, IMPT! is exploring how to reduce the production of waste while still meeting customers’ style expectations. Founder Victor Hugo Ramos explains how the company is developing a circular mindset that includes turning potential textile waste into art with Black artists and how other fashion brands can do the same.
Stay in the Know
Here’s your chance to catch up on recent articles:
- Business Practices to Bridge the Racial Wealth Gap: B Corps Create Supports to Help Build Long-Term Worker Wealth and a More Diverse Workforce
- How This Footwear B Corp Is Bringing Ethical and Sustainable Values to Skate Culture: Cariuma Founders Build Brand with Focus on Community and Environment
- Seeking Health for People and the Planet: Kaylaan Is B Corp Certified: Tapping the Collective Power of Small Actions
- The 6 P’s of the Mind: A Framework for Business Innovators: Introducing a Method for Managing Your Mind to Better Manage Your Business
- The Challenge of Incorporating the Circular Mindset in Fashion: How IMPT! Is Adjusting Its Design, Services, and Business Model — and How Other Companies Can Follow Suit
- Providing Equitable Access to Reproductive Health Care: Public Advocacy and Internal Policy Adaption to Support Employees
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.
