YW Boston

Are you passionate about eliminating racism and empowering women in Greater Boston? Now is your chance to join YW Boston’s Advocacy Committee! YW Boston’s Advocacy Committee is tackling critical issues in education, childcare, and civil rights. Applications are open NOW through November 15, 2024. Make your voice heard and help create meaningful change! 👉 Apply today: https://buff.ly/3rnkYzA For application questions, please contact Brianna Savage at BSavage@ywboston.org.

🎉 Happy National Women's Small Business Month! If you're ready to join the trailblazers of women business owners right here in Boston, here are some quick tips to get you started: 🤝 Utilize Free Resources: The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center offers valuable training and counseling at no cost for those who are just starting or need guidance on their entrepreneurial journey. 📊 Do Your Homework: Conduct market research to identify competitors and discover what sets your business apart! 🗂️ Write a Business Plan: A clear plan is crucial for success! A plan can help you identify key goals and how you will achieve them. 🏛️ Understand Local Licenses: Depending on your business, you may need a license. Ensure your business is compliant by researching any necessary local laws. For a full guide of helpful tips and resources for starting a business in Massachusetts, click here: https://buff.ly/3XVkK06

🔔 Reminder! Join us October 22 from 9-10 AM for our upcoming webinar, "Crafting Connection: Using Storytelling and Communication to Build Resilient Organizations." Our expert speakers, Austyn Ellese Mayfield, Anouska Bhattacharyya, Ph.D, and David Brown—moderated by Cristela Guerra—will delve into powerful strategies for fostering a culture of inclusivity and engagement through storytelling. Participants will receive a communication toolkit designed to help navigate moments of crisis. This practical resource will empower you to lead with clarity and confidence during times of uncertainty. Register here: https://buff.ly/3zCBZtJ

🔔 Applications close today to join our LeadBoston class of 2025! Don't miss your chance to lead your organization to an equitable future next year. LeadBoston is a cohort-based program that meets organizations’ demands for more inclusive leadership. Throughout this unique program, participants explore barriers to inclusion through facilitated dialogue, expert speakers, communication modules, and peer learning. Once taking part in the program, participants are equipped with the knowledge, tools, and analytical skills necessary for effecting meaningful change in the workplace. Don’t wait! Apply or nominate an employee by the end of the day! https://buff.ly/3poj6pc #ywboston #leadboston #deileaders #dei

Today, we observe #LatinaEqualPay Day. Despite their incredible contributions, Latinas earn only 51 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a call to action! Latinas power our economy across all sectors, yet they often work in underpaid roles with limited protections. To change this, we must advocate for real solutions. Here’s how you can help: 1️⃣ Support the Paycheck Fairness Act: This vital legislation strengthens the Equal Pay Act of 1963, banning retaliation for discussing pay, eliminating the use of prior salary history, and ensuring better pay data collection. 2️⃣ Raise the Wage Act of 2023: This act aims to increase the federal minimum wage to $17 an hour by 2028, ensuring that all workers, including tipped workers and those with disabilities, earn a living wage. Together, we can push for a future where all workers are valued and compensated fairly. Let’s work together to end the wage gap now!

We're #hiring a new Organizational Learning Manager / Senior Manager in Boston, Massachusetts. Apply today or share this post with your network.

There's only one week left to apply to join Boston's largest network of inclusive leaders. Don't miss your opportunity to join LeadBoston and lead your organization to an equitable future! LeadBoston is a cohort-based program that meets organizations’ demands for more inclusive leadership. Throughout this unique program, participants explore barriers to inclusion through facilitated dialogue, expert speakers, communication modules, and peer learning. Once taking part in the program, participants are equipped with the knowledge, tools, and analytical skills necessary for effecting meaningful change in the workplace. Apply or nominate an employee today! https://buff.ly/3poj6pc #ywboston #leadboston #deileaders #dei

Join us on October 22, from 9-10am for Crafting Connection: Using Storytelling and Communication to Build Resilient Organizations--the latest webinar in YW Boston's Thriving Together Series.    Hear our expert speakers, Austyn Ellese Mayfield, Anouska Bhattacharyya, Ph.D, and David Brown, joined by moderator Cristela Guerra as they guide you through strategies for fostering inclusivity and engagement in your workforce. You’ll learn:   The power of storytelling to cultivate empathy and understanding across teams.  How to align communication with your team’s needs, ensuring all voices are heard.  Techniques for consistent and clear leadership communication that builds trust and dependability.  When to engage in dialogue and when to act in crisis situations.  Register today: https://lnkd.in/gv-8-mKB

YW Boston was proud to participate in the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and City Awake’s 2024 Fierce Urgency of Now Festival. We are especially grateful for our esteemed panelists from the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women and the Massachusetts Asian American & Pacific Islanders Commission, who led an interactive and inspiring conversation on the importance of representation in public boards and commissions. A special thank you to: Shaitia Spruell, Executive Director, MCSW Wanjiku Gachugi, Ph.D. (A.B.D.), Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for the Town of Acton, MA, and Vice-Chair of the Eastern Regional Commission on the Status of Women. Danielle Kim, Executive Director, Asian Community Fund, and Commissioner, Massachusetts Asian American and Pacific Islanders Commission. Mary-dith Tuitt, Vice-Chairwoman, MCSW, Legislative and Public Policy Committee, for moderating the session with excellence, passion, and inspiration. Together, we had a room full of engaged young professionals join us in a lively discussion on the Importance of Diversity in Public Boards and Commissions. It was an incredible opportunity to explore the benefits of serving, the process of applying, and how diverse voices are essential to fostering equitable representation in Massachusetts. We are inspired by the energy in the room and look forward to seeing more individuals step up to create lasting change in our communities. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this powerful conversation!

In 2021, Black-owned businesses saw a remarkable growth of 14.3%, even amid the challenges of the pandemic. However, ongoing legal battles threaten funding for these vital enterprises. To ensure continued support for Black entrepreneurs, The Brookings Institution complied several Innovative strategies for investing in Black-owned businesses amid DEI backlash: Special Purpose Credit Programs (SPCPs): These are specialized lending programs designed to provide credit to economically and socially disadvantaged groups. They allow lenders to offer loans based on race to help address historical inequities in access to capital, in line with the 1974 Equal Credit Opportunity Act. This strategy is crucial for closing the racial wealth gap. Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs): CDFIs are specialized organizations that provide financial services in underserved areas. They focus on lending to small businesses, especially those owned by people of color, and often receive funding from the U.S. Treasury. CDFIs help fill the financing void left by traditional banks, making it easier for Black entrepreneurs to secure loans. Place-Based Funding: This approach targets investments in specific neighborhoods or regions that have been historically underserved or marginalized. By focusing resources on these areas, investors can stimulate local economies, support community development, and help businesses thrive in places that have often been overlooked. Community Ownership Models: This strategy encourages community members to invest in local businesses, allowing them to share in the success and wealth generated. By involving locals in ownership, these models build community ties and ensure that profits stay within the community, fostering economic resilience and empowerment. Crowdfunding: Crowdfunding leverages small contributions from a large number of people, often through online platforms. This approach allows entrepreneurs to raise capital without relying solely on traditional funding sources. It’s particularly effective for Black-owned businesses, as it can widen their financial support network beyond their immediate social circles. Read the full article here: https://buff.ly/4gxcdI3 Along with these strategies, YW Boston hosted a webinar discussing the legal implications of the recent Supreme Court decision on Affirmative Action. Hear insights from our panelist, here: https://buff.ly/47zN7nR