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V O L . X X V I I I N O. X I M AY 3 0 , 2 0 2 2 20 C O R P O R AT E R E S P O N S I B I L I T Y F O C U S S ometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is pass the microphone to someone else. When Maine businesses and the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce looked to make the next steps in their diversity, equity and inclu- sion efforts, they realized they needed to listen to the voices of the communities they wanted to better serve. "We don't have to create something from scratch. We have to empower the people who are already doing great work and give the microphone and the resources to them," says L.L.Bean CEO and president Steve Smith. Smith, along with Michael Simonds, chief operating officer of Unum Group (NYSE: UNM), were among the lead- ers of the business community who worked with dozens of corporate CEOs and the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce over the past two years to make progress in promoting and sup- porting diversity in Maine. ey also are helping create the next steps to greater networking opportuni- ties and internships for communities of color throughout Maine. "My job was to be at the back, sup- port the work and lift up the people and the communities and the great work already being done. My job is to serve," Simonds says. Since the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor and the national outcry that followed, the Portland chamber and Maine businesses have been actively trying to respond. e first year, more than 400 compa- nies publicly signed a statement in soli- darity against racial and social injustice, and more than 1,500 people took part in training in a 21-day challenge to provide education on topics such as race, power and privilege. While some companies and com- munities might have stopped there, the Maine business community clamored for more work and action. Next steps Over the past year, the chamber and about two dozen business leaders have worked with a facilitator, Beyond Racial Equity, to create a plan for the next steps to encourage and promote diversity. Among the plan's steps, Maine busi- nesses will work with existing groups in the Black, indigenous, people of color communities to create networking oppor- tunities for diverse employees to help them find peers and support throughout Maine, as well as create internships for high school and college students of color to work at local companies. "e fact that all the business leaders showed up and worked on this shows how important it is. It's right for our businesses, it's right for society, our community and the world," Smith says. "Business leaders have power and a platform and we can use that power for good. It will be for the BIPOC commu- nity to judge if we're successful." "Collectively, as a community, we have people who can work together to amplify the groups that are already doing good work and combine our efforts to find new ways to serve those communities," Quincy Hentzel, presi- dent and CEO of the Portland Regional It will be for the BIPOC community to judge if we're successful. — Steve Smith L.L.Bean The business community won't solve all the problems on its own, but it can do its part. — Quincy Hentzel Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F L . L . B E A N P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY Steve Smith, president and CEO of L.L.Bean, is among the leaders that have sought to improve diversity in Maine. Quincy Hentzel, president and CEO of the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, has worked with the business community to develop new efforts to improve diversity. VOICES After initial gesture on DEI, Portland Chamber and businesses take next steps B y J e s s i c a H a l l Amplifying

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