Happy 2021. We have persevered through a confounding, messy year marked with tragic events that have impacted us all, while also highlighting some of society's greatest disparities. Now is the time to take a breath, reset, and focus on the challenges ahead. There will be a lot to do this year as vaccines roll out, climate action accelerates, equity and the education gap remain in the spotlight, and economies begin to reopen. In this issue, we highlight initiatives we believe are worth emulating this year. Read on for inspiration as we strive for a more just and inclusive future... |
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INSIGHTS | Defending Democracy |
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INSIGHTS | The Importance of Trust |
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Former U.S. secretary of labor, treasury and state George Shultz turned 100 years old in December. In an essay published by the Hoover Institution, he shared a key lesson he learned over the years: trust is the coin of the realm. "When trust was in the room, [...] good things happened," wrote Shultz. "When trust was not in the room, good things did not happen. Everything else is details." In a Washington Post op-ed, he explains how – with his family, as a marine in World War II, as a student at MIT, and as a politician – trust was key to leadership and social change. He's right: research shows that people are 12x more likely to be engaged when they trust their leaders. With truth and trust both under attack, Shultz's timeless advice is strong guidance to keep top of mind in the year ahead. |
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INSPIRATION | 1M Jobs for Black Americans |
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Leaders of 35+ companies, including Merck, IBM, and Nike, have raised $100 million in seed funding for OneTen, a startup that will up-skill, hire, and promote 1M Black Americans over the next 10 years. The nonprofit aims to help the 80% of working-age Black Americans without four-year college degrees find and retain jobs that pay $40k or more. OneTen will pair candidates with training, while its corporate supporters gain a new talent pipeline. According to Merck CEO Ken Frazier, OneTen is a public acknowledgment that corporate efforts haven’t made enough of a difference in the lives of Black Americans. Black people currently make up 13% of the U.S. population, but only 8% of professionals and 3.2% of senior executive positions. |
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DATA | Sustainable Investing is Booming |
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BlackRock's latest Global Client Sustainable Investing Survey found that investors representing $25T in assets plan to double their ESG assets in the next 5 years. The majority of surveyed investors believe that sustainability is fundamental to investment outcomes, with 20% agreeing that the pandemic will accelerate their sustainable investing. This year, climate-related risks topped 88% of respondents' sustainability portfolio concerns, and 58% also expressed concerns about social issues, such as DE&I and fair labor practices. While ESG data has improved significantly in the past decade, 53% of investors said that poor quality or availability of ESG data remained their biggest barrier to sustainable investing. Read more about BlackRock's survey results. |
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ENVIRONMENT | Calling For Immediate Climate Action |
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America Is All In builds on past support for climate action with new statement signed by 1,500+ governments, businesses, and other organizations, calls on the Biden administration to take immediate action to address both the climate and economic crises. The statement asks policymakers to create more jobs through sustainable investments, advance just and equitable climate solutions, protect the health of present and future generations, and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Biden is listening, and recently announced a climate team tasked with prioritizing environmental protection while growing clean energy jobs. Now, we'll be watching for new cross-sector initiatives that accelerate action to 1.5C and live up to the promise of going "all in." |
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BRAND ACTIVATION | Ben & Jerry's Honors Colin Kaepernick |
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Ben & Jerry's released Change the Whirled, a new ice cream flavor honoring activist and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. The dairy-free flavor (Kaepernick is vegan) celebrates the athlete's "courageous work to confront systemic oppression and stop police violence against Black and Brown people." Change the Whirled will hit US shelves at a time when 77% of Americans are looking closely at how companies respond to racial injustice. A portion of the proceeds will support Kaepernick's Know Your Rights Camp, a nonprofit designed to empower BIPOC youth. This collaboration is yet another example of Ben & Jerry's commitment to social activism, dating back to its participation in 1% For Peace in 1988. Read about other issues that Ben & Jerry's cares about. For us, it's part of a master class in bringing brand values to life authentically. |
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VIDEOS WORTH WATCHING | Pepsico Supports NYC Bodegas |
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In a 4-minute short film, Pepsico announced The Bodega Giveback, a campaign that will gift cash to 20 bodegas across NYC's five boroughs. With help from podcasters and comedians Desus Nice and The Kid Mero ("the bodega boys"), Pepsi kicked off this end-of-year campaign by surprising a bodega owner in the Bronx with a check to cover rent for 2021. The activation boosts Pepsi's visibility with consumers -- and a retail channel that has been criticized for making less-than-healthy food choices (like some Pepsi brands) commonplace in working class neighborhoods. The video emphasizes that bodegas can serve as community hubs — a cherished part of NYC culture that welcomes all. Feel your heart melt for the people Pepsi is supporting. |
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PURPOSE | Catch Carol on the Work And Life Podcast! |
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Carol is featured in the latest episode of best-selling author Stew Friedman's Work And Life podcast. Tune in to hear Stew and Carol discuss the history of business purpose, and learn more about what it takes to embrace social causes in the corporate world. Plus, don't miss insider insights about Reebok’s role in Amnesty International, PNC Financial’s sponsorship of early childhood education, and Aflac’s support for pediatric cancer patients. Listen to the episode. |
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Catch Our Most Recent Episode! |
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Akhtar Badshah spent a decade at Microsoft leading the company's global community investment and employee programs. After leaving the tech giant, he founded Catalytic Innovators Group, a consulting practice that accelerates social impact through innovation. In the latest episode of Purpose 360, Akhtar shares his expertise on social impact, CSR, philanthropy, and international development. Listen for insights on: - How Microsoft developed, evolved, and scaled its global citizenship efforts, including groundbreaking programs like YouthSpark
- How to advocate for investments in citizenship, philanthropy, and purpose within your organization
- How adopting a “purpose mindset” can help all employees bring their own purpose to work
Other Recent Episodes: Episodes 79-80: Evofem's "Soul" Purpose is to Improve the Lives of Women Episodes 77-78: Patagonia is in Business to Save the Planet Episode 75-76: Cox Enterprises Puts People and Purpose First |
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Please check each event's website for the most up-to-date information. Interested in having Carol or one of our other talented partners speak at your event or hold a workshop? Let's chat! |
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JANUARY - Reuters NEXT, Jan. 11-14, virtual, reimagine solutions to our most pressing challenges
- CES 2021, Jan. 11-14, virtual, a global stage to launch products, engage with brands and define the future of tech
- Cleantech Forum, Jan. 19-21, virtual, uncover the ideas transforming how we tackle the climate crisis
- CECP The Evolution of Corporate Giving Budgets, Jan. 20, virtual, webinar on the evolution of corporate giving budgets in the past year
FEBRUARY - edie Sustainability Leaders Forum, Feb. 2-4, virtual, connect with leaders around solving the climate crisis
- CECP Disaster Preparedness, Feb. 9, virtual, webinar on how to incorporate disaster relief and response
- GreenBiz 21, Feb. 9-11, virtual, explore the latest trends, tools and insights shaping sustainability
- Sustainatopia, Feb. 17-18, virtual, focus on accelerating business development + investment acquisition within social, financial and environmental sustainability & impact
- SBSI 2021, Feb. 24, virtual, explore how organizations can develop and build a world that is good for all humans
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