Many individuals and businesses are wondering how to respond to the crisis of racism and discrimination in America. Many of them want to support systemic change in our society and they know that they need to act. But knowing what to do and how to do it can be tricky. To help corporate leaders and communicators, we’ve come up with a list of articles and resources.
- Harvard Business Review article, “U.S. Businesses Must Take Meaningful Action Against Racism” is an excellent resource for leaders. The authors write, “The issues of racism and hatred are not ones that organizations or their leaders – from CEOs at the top of the hierarchy to team managers on the frontline – can ignore.” They then go on to outline the mistakes to avoid and the actions to take.
- Microsoft Satya Nadella’s statement is also excellent because it reminds us that we must have empathy, acknowledges that we all need to play a part in systemic change, and links back to Microsoft’s bigger mission of empowerment. Here’s what he said:
I know it’s not enough to just have empathy for those impacted, for the communities who are experiencing this hate, firsthand, who are scared for their safety, and for their loved ones. Our identity, our very existence is rooted in empowering everyone on the planet. So, therefore, it’s incumbent upon us to use our platforms, our resources, to drive that systemic change, right? That’s the real challenge here. It’s not just any one incident, but it’s all the things that have led to the incident that absolutely need to change. We can’t do it alone. I’m grounded in that, I realize that, but together I think we can, and we will drive change.
Satya Nadella, Microsoft
Other examples of corporate responses from large brand name companies, can be found here:
- A message from Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg: Verizon commits $10 million in aid to organizations dedicated to equality and social justice.
- Starbucks posted the following statement on its Instagram account: “We will confront racism to create a more inclusive and just world. We stand in solidarity with our Black partners, customers and communities. We will not be bystanders.”
- Brooks Running also posted a tribute on Instagram, “Until the day we can all run on equal ground.” The look-and-feel of this is similar to Starbucks’.
- Nike’s “for once, don’t do it” is a compelling video on YouTube. It gave me chills watching it and also reinforces the message that we can all make a difference.
- This Fast Company article, “George Floyd Protests: CEO and business leaders respond to nationwide civil unrest,” contains many more examples.
And, when businesses haven’t gotten it right, there has been an immediate backlash with people condemning them. For instance, Facebook has also come under fire for holding its free-speech stance and refusing to correct posts that clearly incite violence, and TechCrunch reported on negative reaction to Amazon. Individuals unhappy with the company’s treatment of workers and the technology provided by Amazon Web Services enabling facial recognition that can be used for policing, felt the company was acting in a hypocritical manner when it issued a statement calling for an end to the inequitable and brutal treatment of Black people.
Other ideas that business leaders might consider:
- Make sure you have a diversity and inclusion policy.
- Ensure diversity and inclusion is part of your company’s strategic plan.
- Hire someone responsible for diversity and inclusion within your business.
- Recruit, retain and promote members of diverse demographics.
- Offer diversity and inclusion training for management and leadership. Train people how to recognize and avoid bias.
- Create a mentoring program. Mentors and mentees often both benefit.
- Include diversity and inclusion as a performance metric.
- Offer time for employees to do volunteer work.
- Form strategic alliances with women- and minority-owned businesses.
- Donate money to organizations committed to ending systemic racism.
We all have a civic and moral duty to be part of the solution. Perhaps, in these unsettling and perilous times, we can finally find the heart and the courage to once and for all banish racism from our society in all its forms and treat one another with humility, respect and compassion. We are human. Let’s us find the goodness in one another.