Driving Equality through Localized CSR

With or without the higher court — Can Companies help drive positive change?

In the wake of recent Supreme Court rulings that have eroded protections for LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and women, it's critical for the private sector to step up to the plate and go beyond DEI. Now is the time for them to join hands with local communities to push for substantial change. By forging partnerships with grassroots organizations and local leaders, businesses have a golden opportunity to influence local laws and policies towards greater inclusivity and fairness. Companies using their influence and brand trust to advocate for better policies is nothing new, but the impact of these efforts can be outsized at the local level.

Taking a Step Back: The Supreme Court's Decisions

In the past couple of years, we've seen some disheartening rulings from the Supreme Court, ones that have dealt heavy blows to marginalized communities. From removing safeguards for LGBTQ+ folks at work to imposing voting restrictions and dismantling affirmative action for BIPOC individuals, these rulings have left these groups vulnerable, compelling them to seek solutions at a local level.

Beyond DEI: How Businesses Can Help

That's where value-driven businesses come into the picture, and we're not referring to your typical DEI initiative or employee resource group. These businesses, by reconsidering the role of corporate social responsibility and harnessing their influence, resources, and platforms, can play a pivotal role in supporting marginalized communities. How? By actively getting involved in advocacy and teaming up with grassroots organizations in the context of local politics, they can help shape local laws and policies that protect and uplift LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and women.

The Melding of Business and Local Politics

It’s a well-known fact that local politics often prioritize business concerns over community concerns due to a combination of economic power and political contributions. While there's much said about businesses using this position to safeguard their interests often at the expense of communities, they're also uniquely poised to advocate for positive social and environmental change. By syncing their values and social priorities with those of the communities they serve, companies can become indispensable allies in the fight for inclusivity and equality.

A New Form of Volunteering: The Power of Alliances and Collaborations

To bring about impactful change, using corporate social responsibility to forge partnerships between companies and local groups are a must. By forming alliances with grassroots organizations, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, civil rights organizations, and women's rights groups, businesses can help push the local legislative agenda towards inclusivity.

But these alliances have to be anchored in sincerity and active engagement. This means businesses should first listen to the needs and experiences of marginalized communities, ensure their internal policies mirror their public commitments, and provide not only financial support but also expertise, resources, and public backing alongside community-based organizations in the media and at key local events such as city council hearings.

Benefits for All: CSR and Communities

Joining forces with local communities to advocate for progressive laws and policies is a win-win. Not only does it benefit marginalized groups, but it also has positive implications for the businesses themselves. By standing up for inclusivity, businesses can bolster their public image, attract a diverse customer and talent base, and cultivate a more inclusive workplace environment. Plus, fostering a more equitable society can contribute to economic growth and stability in local communities.

However, it's essential that businesses don't publicly stand with marginalized communities while privately funding political causes that jeopardize or harm these same communities. Their actions, in private and in public, need to align with their commitment to inclusivity and equity. This is how businesses can truly build trust with communities that lasts beyond an annual Pride marketing campaign or Black History Month promo, and goes deeper than a DEI initiative.

Despite the challenges posed by the Supreme Court rulings, businesses with a conscience have an opportunity to stand side by side with LGBTQ+, BIPOC communities, and women by reconsidering how their corporate social responsibility programs can step up allyship. By leveraging their platforms and resources, they can make a stand for equality. Together, we can influence legislation, transform policies, and build a society that truly values diversity, inclusion, and equality at all levels. Now's the time to unite, amplify our voices, and fight for our shared values and priorities.