In these early days of February, I want to share an immense moment of gratitude.
My thanks and utmost respect go to the enterprises, organizations, and companies that are actively and earnestly supporting Black History Month.
In an era where DEI has become a four-letter word in some circles, I am indebted to the organizations that are helping repel this onslaught of ignorance.
Ironically, if you add Belonging, DEI does indeed become a four-letter word: DEIB.
I should be cautious, as this war on DEI is not a laughing matter.
In some instances, it is quite literally a matter of people dying for or because of. Here in Canada, where I live, I felt a retreat in support midway through 2023, and it kept gaining steam throughout 2024. I am sure the reader would expect me to inform her that 2025 was bad and early 2026 will only worsen.
Gratefully, and quite frankly, surprisingly, that has not been the case despite the powerful opposition that has attempted to quash equity-pursuing entities. As powerful as the powers that be have been, their muscle did not cause a crash, but rather created an opposing force of equal, if not greater, magnitude. Where one group has attacked with force and fury, the intended victims and potentially injured have responded with savvy and strategy.
I know there must be some law of physics here if only I had the intelligence to remember it. It is happening, though, right in front of my eyes. And yours.
As a founder of a small social impact organization, I can tell you that the support from corporations we are receiving today is highly reminiscent of 2021, when companies were at their peak of support after George Floyd’s murder in 2020 murder.
The support is gratifying. The form in which it is coming is even more so. This wave of collaboration is not just financial. It is functional. It is foundational. It is transformational.
Companies contributing to the fight are looking for outcomes, sustainable deliverables that will manifest systemic results. This advanced approach to community support is not only good for society, but also good for organizations such as ours. This new approach pushes us to improve how we operate, serve our communities, and prioritize. These are not challenges; these are opportunities to learn, improve, and support.
No doubt readers will push back to inform me they are not experiencing the same. I have no doubt. Rest assured, my comments are not rounded in research, though they are grounded in my experience.
After five years of striving, pushing, delivering, and building, I am sure part of our positive experience is that people who make decisions in organizations trust us enough to challenge us and also fund us. This is not an exclusive position; there are many other impact groups in the same privileged strata.
Those who aren’t there yet should keep the faith. Do what they do best. Believe in themselves and in these they meet. Listen closely to the noise the ground makes as you walk on it. It will tell you whether this is the path to follow.
