Pursuing a Balance of Perspectives in Boston Development
Rather than viewing development as a zero-sum game, in which every win represents someone else’s loss, the conversation needs to shift to collaboration.
Three Massachusetts Women Changing the Face of Leadership
When we look back across history at women in leadership, we see two very different stories: one for white women and one for women of color. But that’s changing.
The Seven Stages from Intention to Impact
In my work with corporate clients, especially in financial services and real estate development, I witness and guide their journey to implement meaningful diversity, equity and inclusion programs and create inclusive cultures in which everyone can feel they belong.
The DEI Lesson for Leaders in Dr. Claudine Gay’s Resignation from Harvard
Corporate leaders beware. These are not one-off actions that affect only academic institutions. They are the latest salvos in an escalating war against a key tool for future corporate success.
How to Get DEI Right in 2024
The year is going to be another year filled with cultural landmines for companies. But the cost of reversing DEI commitments will be far greater than most companies realize – as much as $5.4 trillion.
Forget the Fruit Basket – Give Gifts of Culture, Curiosity and Community
What does an overflowing fruit basket, especially one ordered from a big national chain, really say about a company and its values? Especially when your community is overflowing with opportunities to expand your and your contacts’ horizons.
Be Thankful for Equity Trailblazers
Three trailblazers this year showed what’s possible to increase access to capital for underrepresented consumers and entrepreneurs – not out of some sense of charity, but because it’s good for business and our community.
Rhode Island Redlining Case Spotlights Risk of Ignoring Cultural Bias
When we talk about the racial wealth gap, we often don’t talk about how we got here: redlining, and the role some financial institutions play in continuing to lock Black and brown families out of wealth creation.
Boston’s Past Offers Vital Guide to the Future
A new book chronicling Boston’s history shows why so much anger, frustration and distrust continues to exist within the city’s communities, and it’s a must-read for everyone in real estate.
Celebrating Joy in Justice
If you’re trying to make change in your organization, fatigue – yours and your coworkers’ – can be a huge obstacle. Here are three ways to help get around that and keep momentum going.
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.
What Does It Mean to Mean It?
Legendary musician and activist Harry Belafonte’s recent passing challenges us with a question: If fame and fortune were yours in abundance, would you still prioritize making a difference in the world?
Why ‘Anti-Woke’ Is Bad for Business
The party that once said it wanted the government to be so small it could be drowned in a bathtub now wants it to be big enough to be everywhere – in libraries, business strategy and uteruses. It’s not future-facing, and it’s not good for business.
Boston’s Mayor Charts a Course Towards an Exciting Vision
Mayor Michelle Wu’s priorities are largely aligned with those of the business community: better schools, faster transportation and less expensive housing. But delivering on those priorities requires significant change.
A Vision for 2023: Offering Others a Seat at the Table
All it takes is one person who is willing to provide opportunities for others to learn and grow, and then scale from smaller projects to bigger ones. And developer Ralph Parent and his mentor Merrill Diamond show how success just begets more success.
Four DEI Resolutions for 2023
These DEI resolutions for 2023 make sense for businesses not only socially, but also economically. And why wouldn’t they? Increasingly, those two goals are one in the same.
The Heritage Month We Cannot Overlook
While other culture heritage months seem to have more obvious ways to celebrate, we may be less clear about how to observe and honor Native American Heritage Month in the workplace. Here are some ideas.
Get to Know the Community with Participatory Development
Rather than seeing community as a barrier, developers need to understand their way to success lies through trusting and valuing the community they hope to develop.
Look at Multiple Bottom Lines in Fair Share Amendment Fight
Rather than just dismiss the issues or the amendment, this may be an opportunity for the business community to highlight its solutions to Massachusetts’ ongoing problems.
What the MBTA Really Needs: Renewing Its Relationships with Residents
The MBTA is in need of an overhaul, and not just to meet safety standards. It needs to reestablish its relationship with the state and its citizens.
