Dismantling racist systems and white supremacy are necessary to realize a more just and equitable economy. Undoing these seemingly intractable systems cannot happen overnight, and individual commitments and community action are among the efforts engaged in chipping away at these larger systems.

As the end of Black History Month nears, this edition of B The Change Weekly includes examples of individuals who are uplifting others around them, starting and continuing anti-racism journeys for themselves and their business, and finding resilience in connections to build an economy that works for all.

And this focus continues long beyond this month — find and watch for additional viewpoints, resources, and articles about anti-racism on the B The Change Medium publication and B Lab U.S. & Canada website.

In community,

B The Change  

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In the face of systematic oppression and its traumatic effects, Black Americans overcome by turning to community, love, and joy. From helping others through formal organizations to making connections with new “family” members, that sense of community is celebrated during Black History and Futures Month and beyond.
 

As a barbershop owner and philanthropist in Kansas City, Missouri, Joey Thomas has dedicated his career to uplifting others. But COVID-19 lockdowns that disproportionately impacted Black-owned businesses created new systemic challenges for Thomas and his personal mission to make his city better, one customer at a time.
 

B Lab and other partners are presenting Shift 2021, a virtual event April 14-16 featuring impact leaders and action-oriented workshops. A series of three live-streamed Shift Conversations are planned in the lead-up to Shift 2021 on February 26, March 11, and March 25. Kim Coupounas of B Lab will be among the participants for the March 11 conversation on “What Will It Take to Build a Truly Inclusive Economy? The Role of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Impact Capital in Fostering an Economy that Works for All.”
 

In a three-article series for B The Change, Christie Lee shares what she has learned about being an anti-racist business leader in the consumer packaged goods industry, and what those lessons mean on a public level for her company. Her journey (so far) involves having courageous conversations, asking difficult questions, and committing to examining internal biases.
 

Two resources that help companies measure their impact — the GRI Standards (GRI) and B Lab’s B Impact Assessment (BIA) — have seen growing interest and an opportunity to coordinate their efforts and inform impact-minded businesses. Read more in a Q&A on B The Change and access a new publication designed to help companies and other stakeholders better understand the connections between GRI and the BIA and how to use them together efficiently.
 

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

• 2 Complementary Tools Help Companies Measure and Report Their Impact on Stakeholders: How Businesses Can Combine the B Impact Assessment and GRI Standards for Broader Impact Improvement

• We Need to Shift How We Do Business—Personally, Practically, and Systemically: Shift 2021 Digital Event Gives Voice to Change Agents

• Why LOVE Is Good for Business: ‘Good Business’ Means Engaging from the Heart, Not Just the Head

• Being an Anti-Racist CPG: Organizationally: Consider New Partners, Practices, and Tools

• Being an Anti-Racist CPG: Using Your Brand Message and Platform: How to Support Social Justice

• Operating Through Empathy: Barbershop Owner Creates Community Change, One Head at a Time: Barber and Philanthropist Provides a Platform for Social Change, But Not Without Facing Challenges

• Black Community Is Our Superpower: We Are More Than Our Trauma

• What It Takes to Be a Resilient Agency: Surviving Major, Unexpected Change Requires Planning for the Worst, Especially When You’re Thriving

• Black History Month Can’t Just Be About History, Nor Just a Month: Find Ways to Continue the Journey Toward Anti-Racism Beyond February

• B Lab and Partners Release the Climate Justice Playbook for Business: A Global Call for Businesses to Center Climate Action in People and Justice