Doubling Down on Equity Amid Far-Right Attacks

Hi 👋🏾, It’s Darein, and it’s Tuesday after work. That means it’s time for some Perspectives for Progress! We have some new followers this week and we want to welcome you to the inclusive community!

Also, we started a TikTok! There, I’m known as the boring corporate strategist who used to analyze the news to make corporations money. Now I do it to help your career. Check it out @P4P_newsletter!

Success isn't just for billionaires. For most of us, success looks different. Discover what you can learn from the achievements of everyday historically underrepresented Americans, and find inspiration for your own career journey.

PolicyLink, FSG, and JUST Capital have partnered together to empower historically underrepresented employees and their allies with their new Business Standards for 21st Century Leadership. While there may be a backlash to the realities of America’s diversifying population and workforce, these innovative standards can enhance your career if utilized creatively.

“If we're going to create a just and fair society, one where all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential, business must be front and center in that work." - Michael McAfee, President and CEO of PolicyLink

Taking advantage of the ideological backlash to DEI to enhance your career path is just the kind of mental jiu-jitsu we need in today’s upside-down world. While the importance of equity should be stated in moral terms, in our capitalist society the profitability benefits are also crucial. Leaders who champion equity-based values can drive positive change, unlock profitability, and enhance operational efficiency. If you are working at a large corporation today, you should consider using the new PolicyLink Business Standards for 21st Century Leadership to shore up your bona fides and reputation as an innovative leader that drives evidence-based, data-driven business improvements.

In this insightful video, we hear about the outcome of a partnership between PolicyLink, FSG, and JUST Capital to develop Business Standards for 21st Century Leadership.

While the standards framework is built with American corporations in mind, as we reviewed the report, we found applicable strategies that are universal across industries. So make sure you check it out.

The written standards are on the PolicyLink website here. Public comment is open right now until October 31, 2024.

Actionable Insights

Empower yourself with targeted strategies and tools designed to help you overcome systemic barriers in your career and personal life. This section provides practical advice for advocacy, negotiation, and professional growth, equipping you with the resources you need to level the playing field and achieve your goals.

Building on insights from our LinkedIn newsletter titled, “5 Ways to Increase Profit in Your Core Business with the New Equity Standards,” this section provides strategies and advice for historically underrepresented leaders. Learn how to use equity standards to boost your career and build influence within your organization. Corporate leaders should prioritize linking equity standards to benefits that improve the bottom line and are ethically sound.

We wrote a report titled, “Leveraging Equity Standards for Career Advancement.” We will give you free access to the full report for when it released on Thursday if you complete our survey here.

Two ideas to enhance your career and influence from our report:

Perspectives Media determined six additional ways to empower your career, no matter your function, level, or job title. Complete our intake survey, and we’ll send our report to your inbox for free.

This section includes the stories you need to know. Industry news presented by press organizations owned and run by historically underrepresented peoples.

Nonprofits

• Mey Rude at Out.com is reporting that NBA Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade and his daughter Zaya have launched the Translatable Project to provide a safe, creative space and essential resources for trans youth, especially those of color. Creating targeted programs like Translatable enhances your nonprofit's impact and deepens commitment to supporting specific historically marginalized groups.

• Best friends Tracey Rider and Frances Weeks launched Montana Rez Bred, using a secret family frybread recipe to support the Fort Peck Reservation's homeless community by funding essential services through their booming food business, ICT News is reporting. By creating dual-purpose ventures that address social needs and generate revenue, you can build resilient for-profit ventures capable of supporting marginalized communities long-term.

• Diana Orozco Cruz, one of the few female Maestra Mezcaleras in Mexico, is revolutionizing the mezcal industry by blending scientific principles with ancestral techniques, leading Mezcal Amarás to new heights and setting an inspiring example for women in distilling according to Mitú’s Yamily Habib. Embracing both innovation and tradition, professionals can pioneer change in male-dominated industries, fostering inclusivity and advancing their fields with unique perspectives.

• Angel Reese, a prominent athlete and entrepreneur, has become the first member of the ownership group for DC Power Football Club, a women's pro soccer team, aiming to elevate female athletes and inspire the next generation in the DMV community. Read this Blavity article by Jahaura Michelle, and consider how becoming a part-owner in initiatives you are passionate about can diversify your career and create opportunities for broader social impact.

• Shaun Heasley at Disability Scoop is reporting that Apple is set to introduce new accessibility features later this year, including eye tracking for iPhones and iPads, vocal shortcuts for users with speech issues, and enhanced live captioning, reaffirming its commitment to inclusive design.

Cultural Highlights

Your go-to spot for celebrating the vibrant contributions of historically underrepresented communities in art, literature, music, and media. Get inspired and stay in the know with the latest in creative expression! Bring these up in conversation at work and be a multicultural smarty pants.😊

• The HBO series "Stax: Soulsville, U.S.A." chronicles the rise and fall of Stax Records, the influential label that shaped American music in the 1960s and 70s, spotlighting artists like Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes while exploring themes of race, resilience, and the music industry's dynamics. Mike Hale at The New York Times delves into the rich history and cultural impact of Stax Records to understand how the music business helped historically marginalized Black musicians overcome, inspire change, and leave a lasting legacy.

• AsAmNews’ Akemi Tamanaha is reporting that The "Light, Space and Time" exhibition at Alisan Fine Arts Gallery in New York City features works by California-based Asian artists Summer Mei Ling Lee, Zhang Jian-Jun, and Julie W. Chang, celebrating their unique cultural perspectives and contributions to art. Discover how artists from historically underrepresented groups are enriching the art world with their diverse perspectives and innovative approaches, underscoring the importance of inclusion in creative expression.

• Camp Amache, a former WWII incarceration camp for Japanese Americans, has been designated as the Amache National Historic Site, commemorating the resilience and history of those unjustly detained there. Recognizing and preserving historic sites like Camp Amache honors the resilience of marginalized communities and educates future generations about the importance of remembering and learning from past injustices so that they are not repeated. Read more here.

• Christopher Wiggins of The Advocate is reporting GLAAD's latest Social Media Safety Index reveals that major social media platforms are failing to protect LGBTQ+ users, with TikTok scoring a D+ and platforms like YouTube, Twitter, and Meta's services receiving an F for the third consecutive year due to inadequate enforcement of anti-hate policies and over-moderation of LGBTQ content. This raises concerns about freedom of speech.

• Cate Blanchett spoke with The Advocate’s Trudy Ring about actively promoting women, trans, and nonbinary filmmakers through initiatives like Proof of Concept, but she questions why the responsibility of increasing representation often falls solely on women.

Wait, Did They Just Say That?

Microaggressions, or just plain aggression. This section is for all the times you’ve wondered if your work colleague, your fellow student, or your boss…really just said that. Write-in to us at [email protected] and we might anonymously share your story in the newsletter.

Last week while on the red carpet, international superstar Kelly Rowland was spotted saying, “Wait, Did She Just Say That?” At least, that is what it looked like…

Later that week, the same security guard employed similar tactics with Dominican actress Massiel Tavares. In a press interview, Kelly Rowland stated that her and her team noticed a difference in how the security treated guests of color. 👀