We talk a lot about “socially conscious” business. Our tagline is “Hiring for socially conscious businesses”. I want to break down what this means for us.

We work with businesses who are interested in doing business that is better for people, who have curiosity, and an open heart to dismantling oppressive systems- even if we’ve been taught that it’s the normal way of doing business.

Personally, I believe that everyone deserves universal support from governing systems– but the fact of the matter is that how well you do in life can be predicted by your zip code (hint: folks in wealthier zip codes have better outcomes than those in poorer zip codes(1,2)). There is not much of a social safety net from our government and certain people have exploited and marginalized other communities for their personal gain.

Since these universal safety nets don’t exist yet, I think we as business owners have an opportunity and obligation to create grassroots change. And I believe we do this with an open heart, humility, and keeping ourselves accountable. (I would also like to add the caveat that we need to advocate and activate for safer, equitable, and anti-racist public policies(3), continue study of Critical Race Theory(4), and much more)

I do believe that we can make social changes using our businesses, and that, we in fact, have a moral and ethical obligation to question and dismantle oppressive practices and do better for humanity.

Okay so let me try to break this down- my “checklist” so to speak for being a socially conscious business.

number one: awareness

You are aware of social inequities (see above) and have an interest in learning more, unlearning problematic stuff we’ve been taught, and want to do right by people. This may sound simple, but this is crucial.

number two: open heart

Piggybacking off of number one, you have an open heart about how to do better without centering ourselves. For example, my biggest takeaway from Critical Race Theory (CRT for short), is that we are all inherently racist and it’s important to be hyper-aware of our biases, confront them, and break them down.

When I say be open, I mean be accepting of the fact that we are problematic. “All Lives Matter” is the antithesis of this. If Black people are saying Black Lives Matter, believe them. Be open. Because honestly, all lives won’t matter until the Black lives matter.

number three: curiosity

For the sake of equity and ensuring safety for everyone, you’re curious about how we can do better. When people or businesses like mine suggest new and better ways of doing things, you’re interested in learning about it instead of being defensive.

You seek out and listen to the voices of people in communities different from your own. If they tell you that a common practice is problematic, you listen and you act accordingly. (Not business related, but burning sage (5) is one that comes to mind– and point blank, if Indigenous people say it’s harmful to them, burn something else) And you move on.

number four: clear vision and values

Socially conscious businesses have a clear vision and values. I could go on and on about this– but your values are your compass, your north star. They also have vision– they see a possibility of a better world and how they can contribute to that.

To take it a step further, they usually have values that are centered around the following, even if it’s called something different:

-service, especially underrepresented or marginalized communities (y’all who are all for serving the women-led and owned businesses? I’m talking to you)

-integrity, doing things in alignment with your ethics, even if it’s not a common business practice

-sustainability, for people/employees or the planet

-accessibility

number five: responsibility and commitment

I hold myself, my company, and my clients to a high standard of ethical and inclusive hiring. You don’t have to know everything about that– but that’s kind of the point– to be open and taking responsibility to your best to improve. Being socially conscious means you are committed to doing better– to the lifelong journey of learning and unlearning (want to explore ways to unlearn racism? I’ve got a starting point for you here) https://megkco.com/resources/

number six: risk-taking

I hear a lot of people wanting diversity on their teams, but you have to put your neck on the line and affirm and support marginalized groups. Personally, I don’t think that being affirming of Black lives should be that radical but for many it is. (I’m not saying slap “Black Lives Matter” if you don’t believe it and if you can’t provide safety for Black employees, but if you’re committed to it, commit to it) But being a socially conscious business includes taking risks to stand up for people.

How does this all relate to hiring?

It has everything to do with hiring. Biases(6) and opportunity gaps (7) come up all the time in hiring. And like I mentioned above, while there aren’t universal safety nets for everyone, it’s on us as business owners to create change where we can. I mean, most of us came to entrepreneurship with a vision and to break the mold. So, friend, if what I’ve mentioned in this post resonates with you, I consider you a socially conscious business. You don’t have to have it all figured out but you really want to do right by people and use your gifts to serve and to see your vision to fruition.

Sources:

(1) https://talkpoverty.org/2015/12/17/american-dream-zip-codes-affordable-housing/

(2) https://www.lisc.org/our-resources/resource/opportunity-atlas-shows-effect-childhood-zip-codes-adult-success/

(3) https://www.npr.org/2017/05/03/526655831/a-forgotten-history-of-how-the-u-s-government-segregated-america

(4) https://www.edweek.org/leadership/what-is-critical-race-theory-and-why-is-it-under-attack/2021/05

(5) https://www.bustle.com/wellness/is-burning-sage-cultural-appropriation-heres-how-to-smoke-cleanse-in-sensitive-ways-18208360

(6) https://harver.com/blog/hiring-biases/ (see number 7 especially)

(7) https://www.closethegapfoundation.org/glossary/opportunity-gap (see workplace)