Living Cities’ Post

Hot off the press! I co-authored a Harvard Business Review piece on how spotlighting minority-owned businesses can drive serious results. At Wayfair, our push to promote diverse-owned suppliers led to a 57% spike in their SKU traffic. Supporting diverse-owned businesses isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s smart for business. These suppliers often haven’t had broad exposure to customers, so their products feel fresh and new, helping retailers attract and retain customers. Check it out if you’re into game-changing insights on Supplier Diversity. And shout out to Abhay Aneja, Oren Reshef, Margaret Pierson, and Michael Luca for co-authoring! https://lnkd.in/eTHa_ZPx #supplierdiversity #HarvardBusinessReview #Inclusion

Outsmarting your implicit bias is good for business. Here's the latest example: researchers found that amplifying minority-owned businesses also drives sales to the sponsoring company (i.e., Yelp and Wayfair). This practice also helps reduce racial disparities by promoting minority-owned businesses. Outsmarting implicit bias is good for business, and it's good for aligning our values of fairness and equality with our actions. Read more about the research here: https://lnkd.in/eY7YvQcc #implicitbias #bias #business #racialbias

How can we accelerate and cement progress toward accelerating economic advancement in today’s evolving equity landscape, particularly for Black workers? JFF’s Center for Racial Economic Equity delved into this crucial question and more during last month’s Racial Economic Equity Summit in Boston.Through the generous support of Comcast and Walmart through the Walmart .org Center for Racial Equity, we convened leaders from across the learn-and-work ecosystem and gained valuable insights, including: 1️⃣There is a range of equitable and innovative talent practices employers can use to build diverse talent pipelines, build a purpose-driven, employee-centric workplace, and offer skill-building opportunities to help employees advance. 2️⃣Employers need to partner with leaders from intermediaries, community-based organizations, and postsecondary institutions to offer innovative wraparound solutions that support career advancement for all employees, particularly those who experience barriers in the labor market. 3️⃣We can see a positive impact for the economy when employers intentionally and strategically invest in untapped talent in the #tech industry. Join the Center as we work to create a world where race no longer dictates education and economic outcomes—a fundamental aspect of JFF’s 10-year North Star goal, helping 75 million people facing systemic barriers to secure quality jobs. https://lnkd.in/eUdBa9ze

#GETInsights - As you may know if you’ve been following along, this month we’ve been doing a #BlackHistoryMonth series, highlighting some of our incredible partners in the #GETCommunity and sharing notable Black figures in tech. Today, we want to shift gears and take a moment to discuss the issue of Black representation in tech, in an effort to bring awareness to the prevailing inequities to ignite change. While progress has undoubtedly been made in terms of more equal representation of Black technologists in tech, there is still much work to be done to achieve true equity. Black people make up 12 percent of the US workforce but only 8 percent of employees in tech jobs.1 That percentage is even smaller further up the corporate ladder; just 3 percent of technology executives in the C-suite are Black, according to a McKinsey analysis of Fortune 500 executives. There is still a clear need for more representation of Black technologists in organizations, particularly in higher level leadership and CEO roles. Increasing Black representation in technology jobs isn’t just about bridging wage gaps. It means improving the lives of those who are regularly othered, diminished, and discounted in workplaces where they may be the only Black person. It’s also about developing inclusive technologies that have transformative potential for Black communities. Truthfully, businesses risk billions if Black professionals continue to be historically excluded in tech jobs, and effectively closing the gap means making changes to education, recruiting, and retention initiatives. We’re on a mission to achieve this at an accelerated pace. If you’re interested in joining us on this journey, visit the link to learn more: https://bit.ly/45Rhbts Read more on bridging the Black representation gap here: https://mck.co/3Oy2q8g #genderequalityintech #techleaders #womenintechnology #genderequality #inclusivetech #inclusivity #computerscience #womeninstem #equityintech #entrepreneurship #womenintech #genderequity #GETcommunity #innovation #technology #leadership #investment #startups #community #accelerator #blackintech #racialequity #womenintech #indigenoustech #latinasintech #blackwomenintech #latinosintech #latinx #getcities #getcitieshubs

I’ve been wondering whether to comment on this whole #youthforia controversy and their “tar in a bottle” or black face foundation , as I usually don’t like to waste words especially on brands that are this ignorant 🤧 However after seeing this insightful article by Beauty Independent by the wonderful Rachel Brown stating retailers are now dropping youthforia (rightfully so) - I thought I’d have my say as Black beauty founder. Youthforia is a brand that has managed to raise ample funding (fairly easily unlike similar peers to me in the industry - where as Black founders who are doing the authentic work of diversity and innovations are receiving less than 1% of funding ) and with massive support. Mistakes like these are frankly inexcusable. I’m really glad the biggest names in the industry are finally responding appropriately to this and hopefully any other retailers their stocked in will follow suit ! I’m usually very open to supporting female founders however, when a mistake is made twice it’s no longer a mistake it’s a decision. The whole #youthforia situation is a further reminder why beauty investors (and investors in general) need to TAKE HEED , and take this as a wake up call - it is time to look for the most underfunded , and overlooked founders - a lot of which happen to be Black founders like me- and other innovative brands as they (WE) hold the key to true innovation and authentic diversity in the industry 💭🙋🏽♀️💰 Really excited for more innovative (Black owned) beauty brands to break through the noise going forward. Article below ✍🏽 ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/ejBvvsjb #youthforia #beautynews #investors #diversity #shade600 #credo #ulta #revolve #retailers #inclusion #authenticity

We are Just getting started!- Hilary Doe “The key factor driving economic competitiveness today is talent – the capacity to develop, retain and attract talent of every description, from the digital cloud to the production floor.” Those were the words of urbanist Richard Florida and his team that delivered a report on Michigan last year titled, “Michigan Great Inflection: A Strategy for the Age of Technology and Talent.” Florida has long asserted the importance a creative class plays in the economic revitalization of cities. Detroit has been a wellspring of cultural creativity for generations, from music to fashion to art. But its economic vitality was rooted in heavy industry, notably automobiles. While progress is being made, more needs to be done. Detroit, and Michigan’s, shortcomings in education and public transportation come to mind. We must nurture the next generation of critical and creative minds who will lead the way in the economies of the future – and keep them here. To keep them here, we must improve transit to make the urban core more desirable for young professionals. Detroit is making strides when it comes to placemaking, which is critical at a time when many educated workers can choose where they live. These are all building blocks toward developing the vibrancy of the city in an economy where places that leverage knowledge and creativity are rewarded with wealth creation. For Black Tech Saturdays, it’s an exciting moment, one worth watching, and it will be interesting to see if the creative culture that has been established there can continue to develop, grow and find a home in Detroit. #BlackTechSaturdays WE ARE THE PEOPLE WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR! Hilary Doe You Can In Michigan Let's Grow Michigan Michigan Economic Development Corporation Ben Marchionna Quentin Messer, Jr. CEcD Crain's Detroit Business 🎥 Aaron Dawson #keepgoing #togetherwecan #strongertogether #thefutureisbright #blackexcellence #blacklove #blackjoy #blackintech #womenintech #diversityintech #communitytech

Important conversations are being had around the tension between #generationalwealth and buying #blackowned. In a recent clip shared by Earn Your Leisure’s Invest Fest platform, Monique Rodriguez discussed her rationale behind selling Mielle Organics LLC to Proctor & Gamble (P&G) this year. Her desire to create generational wealth for her family is shared by many Black women entrepreneurs. Blaze Group’s 2023 State of Black Women-Owned Businesses Report®️ (#SOBWOB23) shows that 73% of Black women entrepreneurs are moms. Exit strategies give these business owners a way to create substantial profit if the business is successful. On the other side of this conversation are consumers who want to buy from Black-owned businesses and fuel economic exchange that closes racial wealth gaps. A study found that a dollar circulates in the Black community for merely 6 hours before leaving. Dissenters have expressed that exits for companies like Mielle, Bevel, Carol’s Daughter and others are misaligned from their desire to buy Black-owned products and that the quality-rich elements that initially drew them become compromised for increased margins. 💡 These conversations are important for us to lean into, as they catalyze innovative solutions. Problems of scale require solutions of scale. It’s time that we tell our own stories in ways that are relevant to us. I’m happy to amplify voices and work with changemakers in addressing these important needs. Video Credit: https://lnkd.in/gfZyM_Cp

August is National Black Business Month, a time to honor and support Black-owned businesses! ✨ I had to share this exciting news with you! Black-owned retailers can sign up for Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator program. This incredible program offers financial support, mentorship opportunities, and education to enhance your brand and expand your customer reach on Amazon. At IVY, we're dedicated to empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs by offering strategic insights, operational know-how, and cultural understanding to help businesses tackle challenges and reach new heights. ⁠ 🖤 Need support in elevating your business? Check us out - https://lnkd.in/eNqY-_Pt⁠ 🌱 Ready to sign up for Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator program? Eligible businesses must be at least 51% Black-owned, have a Professional selling plan on Amazon, and a product ready to sell. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to grow and thrive in the e-commerce space. Learn more - https://lnkd.in/eDQeMsvA Let's continue to support and uplift our community by sharing this opportunity! 👋 Connect, share, and join the conversation on amplifying BIPOC women in business. Follow me on my official #Instagram (@SaudiaDavi) and #Twitter (@DavisSaudia). #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #AmazonBlackBusinessAccelerator #BIPOCWomen #BusinessGrowth #Inspiration #CommunitySupport #NationalBlackBusinessMonth

This morning marks a pivotal moment for me, stepping into the White House not just to glam A-list clients but to use my voice for a cause that’s close to my heart: championing #BIPOCBeautyBrands and pushing for greater inclusion in the beauty industry. Thanks to the incredible support of sisters like @swalkerwil, who advocate for us in spaces we’ve yet to enter love you sis. I’ve been given the chance to join a vital panel discussion on diversity and inclusion. Spearheaded by VP Kamala Harris’s team, this opportunity allows me to represent the struggles and triumphs of Black women founders in the beauty sector, particularly the challenges we face in securing the financial backing needed to scale our brands. As a second-time brand founder with over 25 years in the beauty and entertainment industries, I’m here to share our collective story. We’re not just seeking financial gains; we’re building legacies, creating jobs, and developing brands that will endure. Despite the creativity and hard work, less than 1% of Black women receive the necessary funding to elevate their brands, a stark contrast to the well-backed launches we often see. Our journey as Black owned brand founders—many of whom are industry vets with real-world experience—is about more than just entrepreneurship. It’s about turning hours of dedication and skill into innovative products that meet the needs of a diverse world. Today, I’m proud to lend my voice and experience to advocate for more support, more resources, and a broader platform for Black women entrepreneurs to thrive. Recent reports, like the Economic Advancement Report from Braintrust, highlight the significant contributions Black women make to the U.S. economy, including job creation and retail growth, driven by a demand for diverse and sustainable products. Yet, the landscape for securing venture capital remains bleak, with a mere 1% of all venture funding going to Black-founded companies. This lack of financial support hampers not only the individuals behind these ventures but also the broader society and economy. #DiversityInBeauty #InclusiveBeauty #BlackWomenEntrepreneurs #FinancialInclusion #BeautyInnovation #EmpoweringBlackFounders #ChangingTheNarrative

This week at Tory Burch Foundation we were graced with the presence of 50 Force founders who are part of our Fellows program. They descended on New York City from all over the country to support and learn from one another and the experts we convened. Our goal was clear: providing the community and insights to help women entrepreneurs accelerate their businesses. Here are my top lessons for all of us: 1 ) Asking for help strengthens relationships. We often hesitate to ask for what we need because we don’t want to impose on others but Michelle Stevens,  Founder of The Refill Shoppe, pointed out the scientific research that shows people will like you MORE if you ask them for help. No one is served by you denying people the opportunity to contribute to your success. 2) You can’t lead by telling people what to do. Soraya H., an operations leader at Squarespace, stated a Chinese proverb: We cross the river by feeling the stones. The best change management leaders (and also the best parents) set clear expectations then allow individuals to find their way. 3) Invite the next chapter. In exploring her decision to close her brick and mortar store and pivot to online and pop-ups, Myya Founder Jasmine Jones asked herself a game-changing question: “What am I seeking by holding on to THIS version of my business?” Just replace the word “business” with any other aspect of your life–marriage, career, identity–and it will strengthen your own decision-making. What I personally most needed to be reminded of came from Deepa Gandhi, Co-Founder and COO at Dagne Dover. In responding to the question, “What would you tell your one-year-old founder self?” She encouraged all of us to BREATHE and appreciate the wins. #ToryBurchFellows