Moving Towards an Inclusive Economy
Reflections on the 2016 B Corp Champion’s Retreat
Last week, I had the pleasure of attending my second B Corporation (B Corp) Champion’s Retreat in Philadelphia, PA. It was inspiring to sit in the National Constitution Center looking out over Independence Hall and discussing the B Corporation Declaration of Interdependence.
Independence Hall, is after all, where the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were adopted. And as always it is great to see so many leaders who share the idea of business as a power for good. Businesses being good for stakeholders too and not just shareholders.
This years theme was “Towards an Inclusive Economy.” The Declaration of Interdependence states that we must be the change we want to see in the world and business should strive to benefit all and do no harm.
“To do this requires that we act with the understanding that we are each dependent upon another and thus responsible for each other and future generations”
Before the opening session I met an individual from Turkey, Taze & Kuru. Taze & Kuru is one of three B Corps in the entire country of Turkey. I also met someone from Chilé who worked with Fetzer Vineyards. The businesses represented and those in attendance clearly are quite diverse. However, as I looked around the room I couldn’t help but notice that it appeared to be a largely caucasian crowd.
Over the course of the retreat, I observed that many of us have had the benefit of what could be perceived as privileged educations. I shared with my table during an exercise that I recently sat on a panel for Creative Control Fest, an afro-centric event that is championing diversity in the creative industry. In the final keynote of Creative Control Fest, Jerald Cooper, Young Guru’s manager, and Young Guru himself via skype, Jerald began talking about social enterprise. Then he said the magic words: “B Corp” and raised the question, “who knows what a B Corp is?” I, of course, raised my hand and shouted out. Jerald’s response, “You gotta be kidding? The only white guy in the room knows what a B Corp is.”
Now, back to the inclusive economy. To be fair, this includes much more than race. Such as socio-economic diversity, international as well as large and small businesses. However, I believe that we as B Corps have our work cut out for us as we educate the public on what it means to be a Certified B Corp and fully embrace it.
In Ohio, where Fulcrum Creatives is located, there is a small contingency of us who hope for our state to pass Benefit Legislation. This would allow us to form as a Benefit Corporation legally, not just have a hard to come by certification. This legislation will protect triple bottom line charters should a business ever sell or go public. As we and others go forward, we need to be conscious of this lack of awareness in some communities and industries to invite more diverse groups to join our conversations. Or, one day, B Corp could become something that appears too elitist. Something that only leaders of privileged means have in their toolbox as they go forward as a business or social enterprise.
Only together can we work toward a more inclusive economy and community and be the change we want to see in the world.
If you would like to contribute to, or follow the progress of Benefit Legislation in Ohio, join the movement at OhBenefit.com
Jason is the principal of Fulcrum Creatives. When he isn’t client whispering, you can find him running the trails of Columbus, Ohio.
