Antony Berou’s Post

Diversity, equity and inclusion have become politicized. How do we address injustices while maintaining a commitment to fairness? Eric McGriff outlines nine critical focus areas for equipment finance. Following the death of George Floyd in May 2020, there has been a heightened focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I). That tragic event sparked a global movement against racial injustice, prompting organizations and communities to reevaluate their commitment to equality. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eyey3gT8 36th Street Capital Partners LLC #monitor #topstories #digitaledition #equipmentfinance #dei #criticalfocus

Having gone through a process that considered changing the vocabulary around diversity, equity, and inclusion, I understand the impetus. Yet this author offers no alternatives: https://lnkd.in/gs_rCzQ6 #equityinclusiondiversity

It is always a pleasure chatting with Jason Lamin, learning from him, and hearing his perspectives. In our Charting the Course Q&A series last month, Jason emphasized the importance of meaningful, data-driven initiatives and the need for #investors and businesses to continue to prioritize #equity and #justice in order to #managerisk in a world that continues to diversify. Full Q&A: https://rfkhro.org/49KxqKP

General counsels play a critical role as companies assess their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in light of political and legal challenges. This series features leaders navigating this complex landscape.

CalPERS was on the hill today. If you haven's seen it, watch the five minute exchange (link in comments). Here's my response: CalPERS votes for board candidates of corporations based on their race, gender, and sexual orientation while screening to limit true diversity of thought. Even though CalPERS Interim Chief Investment Officer refused to answer if they vote for or against board candidates based on skin color, their own website makes it clear they advocate for board diversity based on immutable characteristics like race (link in comments). When pressed, CalPERS will deflect their answer, using “diverse perspectives” as their talking point regarding DEI. But it’s critical to unpack that, and CalPERS themselves does that better than I could myself. CalPERS “Key Highlights” section of their DEI Investments report *only* highlights diversity related to race, gender, and "historically underrepresented groups". They do not highlight a single example of voting or engaging to improve diversity of “skill sets” or “competencies”, unless you define those through a race or gender lens.

I have only reposted once before. This is too important not to share. When Donald Trump first ran for President in 2016, one of his campaign slogans was that he was going to “drain the swamp!” What he really meant was to get rid of anyone who did not agree with him or who was not a total loyalist! He and his minions have painted anyone who did not fall in line with them as part of an international cabal; they were globalists; they were part of the deep state; they were controlled by George Soros; they were part of the New World Order, etc. There is a legitimate concern about how isolated the US should be in relation to how integrated we should be in international trade and relations. However, attempting to paint a fictional, global plot of left-wing elites who supposedly control the world, and to replace this non-existent, conspiracy inspired boogeyman with a consortium of hand-picked right-wing loyalists to control all levers of power in the US is not draining any swamp! It is creating an authoritarian, right-wing bloc, modeled in the image of Donald Trump, Viktor Orbán, Racep Tayyip Erdoğan, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. Make no mistake! This is not about a group of people who are Trump sycophants. This is about very smart people using tens of millions of Trump adoring voters, who are ripe for the picking, to establish an autocracy. Their goal is to use Trump’s charisma to create a unilateral, uncontested government that is mired in extremist, neo-fascist ideology. This is not America! This is not why we severed our ties with England! This is not why we wrote The Constitution! This is not why we fought two world wars! Yes, we have our differences as Americans, but until recently, we agreed on the facts, debated the solutions, found compromises, and moved forward as a united country. Progress was incremental, but inexorable. We are living in a post-truth world. If lies are repeated often enough, too many people begin to believe them, and they have! Many people disagree with Democratic policies, which is their right. However, it must be time to vote blue; not forever, but at least for now. If we want a country where everyone’s opinion matters and where compromise is the goal, voting red will create a far right takeover of our entire government. It cannot be the choice! Our creed has always been for self-governance, a government of the people, by the people and for the people. It was not designed to be of the “right”, by the “right” and for the “right!” It was also not meant to be of the “left”, by the “left” and for the “left!” The word is the “people”, not an “ideology!” To modify the words of Donald Trump, “If you vote for me, you won’t have a country anymore!” Vote blue in 2024 and in subsequent years until we have righted our Ship of State. Once our democracy is safe, feel free to go back and vote your conscience on policy! We can survive bad policies, for a while. We cannot survive the loss of our Constitutional Republic!

Think Americans can't agree on anything? Try screaming 'corporations are people, too!' in a crowded room. In Gather's latest dispatch, Kirsten Chen explores the historically complex relationship between citizens, Corporate America, and government—and how #CorporateSocialResponsibility has emerged to bridge these divides. Our research reveals: • 80% of independents actively choose (or avoid) companies based on CSR practices • 87% support stronger CSR legislation • #GenZ is transforming 'Corporate' Social Responsibility into 'Community' Social Responsibility Plus, Gather Founder Justin D. Tobin discusses how independent work creates an inherent framework for collective care. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dRttCw_n With election season in full swing, we're curious: How do you think #CSR's role in society should evolve? 👇

Tactics to remain inequitable change must be challenged and dismantled immediately!

In another misadventure in "perceived persecution vs. actual/historical persecution" an 11th Circuit Appeals Court panel temporarily blocked the Fearless Fund from awarding $20K grants to Black women on the grounds that it "probably discriminate[s] against business owners of other races". Last I checked, policy decisions, passing legislation and judicial decisions (using the concept of stare decisis) are usually data-driven and more about what we know has happened, is happening or will continue to happen without intervention. Yet we find ourselves in this culture war era of perceived persecution, where all of the above are passed based on what MIGHT happen, what will probably happen, or when you really examine the data...isn't happening in statistically significant numbers to even be considered an "issue" at all (e.g. teaching CRT in K-12 education). Saying something will "probably discriminate against business owners of other races" is a misnomer of "discrimination". It's really a smokescreen for the true nature of these efforts: to double down on or reify anti-Black marginalization in this country. Thank you to Ibram X. Kendi for the video and facTs! #misogynoir #antiblack #perceivedpersecution

#TerminologyTuesday spotlights 'Co-Borrower Inclusion' — the strategy that could strengthen financial foundations and equality in property ownership. Dive in to understand how joint financial responsibility can pave the way for more stable and inclusive home-buying journeys. 🏡🔑