The McPherson Memo: Dream Realized or Deferred Edition

Dear all,

20 years! Unbelievable. It was 20 years ago this weekend that I packed up my life (actually only bringing two forks, two knives and two spoons) along with a few boxes of clothing to come to NYC for four months as a trial. My company at the time, PR Newswire, generously offered to cover my costs so I could explore the Big Apple.Growing up near Albany, my parents would take my siblings and me, when time and budgets permitted, to visit NYC to experience all it had to offer. But never did I ever consider actually living here.

That all changed in 2003. A separation and then a divorce cut my umbilical cord to beautiful Seattle, and I was en route to an entirely different world. For the first year, I would cry myself to sleep on those lonely Saturday nights, as I knew no one in this sparkling new world. But over time, boy did that change. To meet people outside of my day job, I joined a couple of civic organizations and NGO’s, including Bpeace (The Business Council for Peace), which took me to Afghanistan in 2005. It was that journey that demonstrated to me for the first time how business could actually be a force for good. It literally changed my whole career trajectory.

 The years passed and my community grew. I joined multitudes of community groups, including TheList, The WIE Suite, Extraordinary Women on Boards, and the Women’s Forum of New York, and once I put my roots down in Brooklyn Heights, I started hosting gatherings on my roof to showcase causes, authors, nonprofits and political candidates – but most precious to me, to celebrate those whom I love and adore.

 Lastly, as many of you know, McPherson Strategies launched 10 years ago. None of this would have happened if I hadn’t taken a leap of faith at age 38 to move 3,000 miles from one end of the country to the other.

With deep gratitude for all of your steadfast support,

Susan

ON OUR MINDS

Brought to you this week by Account Supervisor Ayannah Crawley, who will be COZY in Chrome for Beyoncé this weekend.

A Dream Realized or Deferred? 

This month commemorates two critical moments in the Civil Rights Movement. Sixty-eight years ago, Emmitt Till was murdered, and 60 years ago, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his incomparable I Have a Dream speech at the March on Washington. Till’s death laid bare the systemic racism that permeated society and persists, and the March's legacy underscores how collective action remains a model for advocating change. I've realized that addressing racial disparities and violence against Black individuals requires action beyond symbolism. To honor Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision, we must unite with determination, echoing the spirit of unity from the March on Washington, to confront the trauma endured by Black lives. Progress is about amplifying marginalized voices, pushing for policy reform, and unapologetically advocating for racial equity, especially when these efforts are under attack, as we see with the Fearless Fund. 

In the words of Marvin Gaye…

Over 500 people have tragically lost their lives in mass shootings this year, underscoring the urgency to address intolerance and divisive rhetoric. Jacksonville, Florida, serves as a somber reminder of the very real consequences of such attitudes. Florida's struggle with censorship and the alarming racial and gun violence rates highlight the need for open conversations about race, especially within classrooms, to prevent escalation. As the 2024 election looms, holding elected officials accountable for their fear-driven tactics is essential. By learning from the lessons of the past and prioritizing unity, we can avoid the mistakes of 2016 and support leaders who genuinely aim to bridge divides with the power of the White House. For insights on how business leaders can play a role in this effort, consider TriplePundit's recent article on effective advocacy featuring McPherson client, Leadership Now Project.

Where The Money Reside?

Since the murder of George Floyd in 2020, corporations have pledged over $66 billion to fight racial injustice; however, measuring and communicating impact has been a challenge. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley has called on banks to deliver a “comprehensive financial audit report,” including data, plans, and policy changes related to their commitments, by October 23, 2023. We will have to wait and see what reports this deadline will produce. Still, these reports have the potential to shape impact reporting and establish an accountability framework for companies struggling to measure their purpose and social impact initiatives, especially amid an economic downturn, as pointed out by The National Law Review. The combination of regulatory pressure, public scrutiny, and legislative action by elected officials can create a robust framework that encourages companies to fulfill their pledges and genuinely address racial injustice. 

ON OUR RADAR

Celebrate:

• Pink, metallics, and friendship bracelets have dominated the summer. While their talent won’t solve misogyny, sexism, and the pay gap, the economic and cultural impact of Barbie, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift's domination has been undeniable. 
• ESG and DEI are here to stay. The Wharton School recently introduced Environmental, Social, and Governance Factors for Business (ESGB) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as two new undergraduate concentrations and MBA Majors.

Learn:

• Susan was a guest speaker on the “Hello Monday Podcast,” where she shared advice for building and nurturing connections.
• Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider, McPherson client and founder of End Well, recently shared her journey about losing her father and how discovering a genetic mutation in her family empowered her to make a life-saving decision.
• Suppose you want to improve your leadership skills. In that case, The New Quo’s Leadership Academy offers managers and leaders the community and tools to tap into the psychological power to become better leaders.
• In its latest research, The Black Economic Alliance Foundation found that Americans across racial, ideological, and generational lines overwhelmingly support corporate diversity initiatives. 
• The Bridgespan Group recently shared insights about how collaboration between philanthropy, government, and the private sector can be crucial to accelerating positive environmental change. 

Read:

• If you’ve ever wondered how comedy and social issues intersect, The Revolution Will Be Hilarious explores the work of comedians who use their platforms to address topics such as racism, inequality, and injustice. It offers insights into how comedy can spark conversations, foster empathy, and inspire action.
• The Other Black Girl tells the story of a Black woman navigating a workplace where she is the only one and what happens when another Black woman joins. Hulu has released a trailer for the adaptation of the novel. The series, dubbed Get Out meets The Devil Wears Prada, will premiere on September 13. For those intrigued, there's still time to compare the book with the series before its premiere.
• In Survivor Injustice, Journalist Kylie Cheung highlights how sexual assault survivors are often revictimized and criminalized and sheds light on the urgent need for systemic changes to prevent further instances of survivor injustice.

Apply:

• The Climate Imperative Foundation is hiring a Director of Communications.
• McPherson client, Leadership Now Project, is hiring an Impact Manager, Women and Democracy Initiative, and Other Strategic Projects.