Leading Through the Two Pandemics

We are currently in the middle of two pandemics:

As a company focused on leadership, and having worked on creating and managing change for over 35 years, we want to pause today to honor the heroes that have emerged, as well as the lives lost in both pandemics.

In 1968, America was on fire with protests and rage. There were leaders who stepped forth to quell and honor the rage and united us in solutions. Bobby Kennedy was one. James Brown was another.

Here we are over 50 years later.

Protesters braved Pandemic 1 in order to address Pandemic 2. Some state and local government have stepped up to honor the rage while helping us join in the mission of uniting us to find a solution. Voices of leadership are rising up from many corners. There is momentum gathering from the protests.

How can we ensure another 50 years doesn’t slip by?

We can help mitigate Pandemic 1 by adhering to the guidelines, while persevering with the second Pandemic.

We can mitigate Pandemic 2 by speaking up, taking action, and metaphorically joining hands to resist the status quo and empower change.

In both of these pandemic cases, we are in this together.

As leaders, we have a choice and a responsibility.

We can forge momentum by:

• Creating more opportunities to enable the voices and actions of change.
• Being the voice of change.

Each begins with small steps to contribute, raise awareness, and voice.

Here are just a few resources to enable your journey:

Learn…

First, Listen. Then, Learn: Anti-Racism Resources for White People (Forbes, 6/2/20)

Business Leaders Speak Out…

Companies Supporting Justice (Forbes, 6/4/20)

Creating Work and Entrepreneurship Opportunities…

Hack Diversity – An initiative of the New England Venture Capital Association tackling the under-representation of high-skilled minority employees in Boston’s innovation economy.

Investing in Entrepreneurs – Fostering an expansive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Frequenting Black Businesses

Supporting Change...

NAACP – The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

The Southern Poverty Law Center – Dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society. Using litigation, education, and other forms of advocacy, the SPLC works toward the day when the ideals of equal justice and equal opportunity will be a reality.

#BlackLivesMatter – Founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer, the Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc. is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on black communities by the state and vigilantes.

“Success is to be measured, not so much by the position that one has reached in life, as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.” ~ Booker T. Washington

This is a powerful moment for leaders to make a difference. It begins with you and me.