Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1313608
Worcester Business Journal 3 A s we all recognize, this is a topic that has become critical – on a national level, and a local level as well. One of the best ways for Worcester Business Journal to play a role in the progress we want to make in becoming a more diverse and inclusive community is for us to write about the issue, and what we have done. Change only happens when we all pay attention to an issue - not just annually, but all year long. at commitment to ongoing coverage will continue to be the case in the pages of WBJ and on our website, WBJournal.com. On Oct. 12, WBJ published its first focus section on Diversity & Inclusion with a variety of feature stories and columns, and featuring a Business Cares special cover wrapper showing support for the special issue from 16 community organizations. ese companies have taken a leadership role in supporting this special section, and it includes letters/columns from several of these sponsor leaders on the importance of a diverse, inclusive community, and the many benefits flowing to companies with diverse workplaces and work teams. However, we didn't start writing about diversity and inclusion on Oct. 12. Since the police killing of George Floyd at the end of May, we've placed new attention on the topic, with feature stories, columns and interviews on a wide variety of D&I related issues. is came on top of our regular coverage, including the series we've published on leadership diversity and women on boards and in the C-suites of top companies over the last three years. While it's not a new topic for us, this year we've made a deeper commitment for sustained coverage of this critical issue, and our staff writer Monica Busch now has equity and inclusion as part of her regular beat. is special digital edition includes all the content from our Oct. 12 Diversity & Inclusion special section, plus a number of D&I related stories we've reported on throughout 2020, reprinted here as they were on their original publication dates. e whole section is 48 pages of regional reporting, interviews and opinions on the topic – all about and from our community. anks for being a WBJ reader, and thank you to the companies that stepped up and supported the special focus section on Oct. 12. eir investment will help us continue our coverage as we all work together to take leadership roles in supporting diversity and inclusion in the workplace and throughout our community. Peter Stanton Brad Kane Publisher Editor Here is a list of Diversity & Inclusion sponsors. If you get a chance, please thank these fine organizations for their support: Welcome to our first special digital edition on Diversity & Inclusion TABLE OF CONTENTS Feature stories 4 Black businesses matter Black-owned companies – which are key to hiring minority employees, injecting wealth into disadvantaged communities, and advocating for social justice issues – make up less than 1% of Worcester County businesses, even as Black people comprise 6% of the population. 8 Committed to the community Whether it is a pandemic or systematic injustice, David Connell keeps the YMCA devoted to Worcester County. 10 Role of CEOs on societal issues has shifted As public attitudes shift and workers demand more for employers, more companies and CEOs are taking stands on divisive issues. 12 Still left behind Despite efforts to more closely align the recreational marijuana industry with its founding values, Black cannabis licensees and employees are few and far between. 14 Funding equality The national surge in donations to Black advocacy groups following the police killing of George Floyd is slowly trickling to Central Mass. organizations. 16 Dedicating to diversity Large Central Mass. employers are prioritizing enhanced diversity & inclusion posi- tions to address workplace inequality. 18 Executive to Executive: Big-time leadership The CEOs of UMass Memorial Health Care and Hanover Insurance Group discuss why companies should take a stand on social injustice. 20 Not prioritized Despite Congress calling for minority-owned businesses to receive priority in the $669-billion Paycheck Protection Program, that didn't happen locally or nationally. 31 Executive to Executive: Worcester together The leaders of the YWCA Central Massachusetts and the Greater Worcester Commu- nity Foundation discuss the best ways to support social justice. 32 Slavery's legacy in the Central Mass. economy Much like the rest of the country, the Greater Worcester region had direct and indi- rect ties to slavery, with remnants still being dealt with today. 36 Sharing paychecks Mass. organizations push for more salary transparency to help reduce gender, racial pay gaps. 38 Teaching racial justice As shown at Clark University, a summer of steps toward racial equity are just part of the discussion. 40 The Lists: Top minority-owned businesses and Top LBGTQ+ owned businesses Special Sponsored Content Section 22-29 Sponsors of WBJ's Diversity & Inclusion edition give their thoughts on the push for more inclusion Sponsors include Berkshire Bank, Fallon Health, Fidelity Bank, Hanover Insurance Group, National Grid, UniBank, UMass Medical School & Webster Five Advice & Opinion 42 Picking up the fight against institutional racism 42 101: Making statements 43 Racism starts in your heart 43 Don't be left on the sidelines 44 What will you do going forward? 44 10 Things I know about … How companies respond to George Floyd's killing 45 You can't change the past, just the future 45 Walk the walk against racism 45 10 Things I know about … Committing to standing against racism 46 Upstanders are company culture champions! 46 Achieving racial equity requires little steps, and some big ones 46 10 things I know about … How businesses can capture Hispanic talent 47 Diversity & inclusion efforts should including helping with employment for people with disabilities 47 It all starts with respect 47 This is going to get messy Berkshire Bank Best Pro Cleaning Best Pro Restoration Clinton Savings Bank Fallon Health Fidelity Bank Hanover Insurance Group National Grid Open Sky Table Talk Pies The Learning Center for the Deaf UMass Medical School Umass Memorial Health Care Unibank United Way of Central MA Webster Five Worcester Business Journal WBJ