Berkshire Touts High Rating in LGBTQ-Friendliness Index
The Boston-based bank is bucking a trend among major, publicly-traded companies to back away from DEI and climate change goals.
For Business Changemakers, the Time for Action Is Now
For me, and doubtless for many of you, July 4 is a day of mixed emotions. But now is the time to stick your head neck out for equity. Try to repair the hypocrisy in your industry.
Equity, Reproductive Rights Help Mass. Climb in ‘States For Business’ Rankings
A popular ranking of states’ business climates is beginning to put more emphasis on things like reproductive rights, equity and inclusion.
Cambridge Savings Gives $100K to Support Black-Owned Businesses
On top of the grant, the bank will also provide mentorship to minority entrepreneurs, as well as small businesses underwriting training for the Cambridge Equity Fund task force.
After Supreme Court Ruling, Weakest Hands Will Show Themselves
After the Supreme Court’s landmark affirmative action decision, eyes now turn to business leaders to see who will be the first to rein in their DEI. But when they do, their customers and employees will be watching.
Eastern, Berkshire Join New Anti-Racist Lending Pilot
Two prominent Boston banks have joined forces with 18 other financial institutions to launch a new lending program that seeks to adopt anti-racist underwriting approaches and increase lending commitments to support people of color.
300 Percent Growth in Three Years
New Valley Bank President and CEO Jeffrey Sullivan has guided his four-year-old institution through explosive growth, in part thanks to an early marketing boost from PPP lending and in part from embracing the Pioneer Valley’s growing cohort of highly diverse entrepreneurs.
A Huge Opportunity Is Coming to Boston
It’s sometimes hard for us, residents of the Hub of the Universe, to imagine but our fair city doesn’t necessarily have the best reputation in other parts of the country. But we can all pitch in to help change that narrative when the NAACP’s annual national convention comes to the Boston July 26.
Biz Leader Urges DEI ‘Recommittment’ in Wake of Court’s Ruling
The U.S. Supreme Court may have only struck down colleges’ and universities ability to use affirmative action to make sure their student bodies are more diverse, but the head of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce is warning that the ruling could threaten local companies’ efforts to diversify their workforces.
Mass. Bankers Takes Steps to Guide Industry DEI Efforts
With a history of leadership dominated by white men and lending practices that ended up contributing to inequity, many banks need help to elevate their DEI game, industry leaders say.
How I’ve Strived for Equity in Bank Leadership
The banking industry is experiencing an awakening that corporate governance, whether in the executive suite or board of directors level, must be reflective and inclusive of the communities we serve.
‘Banking While Black’ Still Happens, Even If You’re Famous
“Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler was arrested in a Bank of America branch in Atlanta trying to withdraw $12,000. There is so much to unpack in this incident, and much that Massachusetts’ banks can learn.
What Would MLK Say About Your Equity Effort?
MLK Day is always a hard one for me because the celebration presents as performative and highlights our continued hypocrisy with race. Take some time to learn about the evolution of his leadership in civil rights and how his journey evolved into being a movement dominated by concepts of economic justice and equity.
From Call Center Rep to Market President
Lisa Murray got her start in banking answering calls in Shawmut Bank’s customer service center. Three decades later, she’s the new Massachusetts market president for Citizens Bank.
Banks’ DEI Efforts Start to Take Off
A year and a half after protests against racial injustice rocked America, banks’ efforts to respond with concrete action are starting to flower with collaborations between numerous lenders launching in recent months.
Board Chair Aims to Aid DEI Journey
Dedham Savings Bank President and CEO Peter Brown, the new Mass. Bankers board chair, plans to focus his term on rolling out a diversity, equity and inclusion initiative.
Financing Boost Sought For Entrepreneurs Of Color
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Massachusetts has provided “unprecedented support” and “unprecedented access to capital” to entrepreneurs of color, MassINC research director Benjamin Forman told lawmakers Tuesday.
Five More Mass. Cities Become Majority-Minority
Every single city and town in the Bay State except for one saw its share of white residents as a percentage of the local population decrease from 2010 to 2020.
Why the Critical Race Theory Fight Matters in the Business World
In the past several weeks Critical Race Theory, or CRT, has become the new “hot topic” in America’s continuing struggle to move forward productively on race. But businesses interested in growth ignore the debate at their peril.
Study: Racial Diversity Stagnated on Corporate Boards
Many U.S. companies have rushed to appoint Black members to their boards of directors since racial justice protests swept the country last year.
