A few words...
About Us
We are a non-profit organization that empowers business professionals to use our ample skills, resources, and influence to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination in the workplace.
Our Goal
Eliminating all forms of discrimination in the workplace through the unified actions of BIPOC and ally professionals
Here's the Problem
COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted BIPOC professionals. Does that mean the virus discriminates? Or is it us?
It's got to be us. This really got us thinking about the role we each play - intentional or otherwise - in fostering discrimination in the workplace.
Discrimination in entrepreneurship
is really a result of our biases. There are things we do either knowingly or unknowingly that constantly creates barriers for BIPOC professionals. And the problem is that everyone has these biases; both white and BIPOC individuals...
What are those things? Glad you asked. Here's a bit of light reading...
Our biases create 3 different types of discriminatory barriers for BIPOC professionals:
1. Financial Barriers
This results from a ‘Risk Perception’ bias. We have been trained to believe that BIPOC businesses and professionals are inherently riskier. Maybe their products are inferior? Maybe their skills and experience are lacking? Maybe they’ll be out of business in the next year? Maybe they won’t deliver what they’ve promised? Whatever it is, this holds us back from readily investing in BIPOC professionals with our money, time, and resources. Why is risk a problem? Well the riskier a they seem, the more it will cost them to get what they need. This is exactly why BIPOC businesses have such a hard time securing low-cost loans and capital that other communities so easily get. Or why highly-qualified BIPOC professionals lose out on job opportunities to less-qualified white professionals. BIPOC professionals simply have to do more and pay more to overcome the fears of others. This inequity, of course, results in a negative impact on profitability and income.
BIPOC business owners have to invest 2x the amount of money into their business to earn the same amount of money as white business owners
Source: Shopify “It’s Time to Close the Funding Gap for Underrepresented Founders”
2. Market Access Barriers
This stems from a ‘Status Quo’ bias. When it comes to spending money, we tend not to deviate much from out typical spending behaviour. For instance, chances are that you have been purchasing the same or similar products for some time now. Chances are that you have been offering jobs and contracts to people with the same background. Chances are you have been interacting with the same type of people too. With the ‘Status Quo’ bias, we are very content continuing to do what we’ve always done. Unfortunately, this has a big impact on BIPOC professionals. If we traditionally purchase from white-owned businesses, hire white professionals, and interact with white people, then it takes a lot for us to change that behaviour. This ultimately has a negative impact on the ability for BIPOC professionals to compete and succeed as equals.
Only 2% of corporate and consumer budgets are spent on BIPOC-owned products and services
Source: University of Chicago, Booth School of Business
3. Social Barriers
This is due to an ‘Affinity’ bias. The majority of our social and professional networks are made up of people that look just like us. This is an advantageous situation to be in, if you happen to be part of the cultural majority. But if you’re not, then you are more likely to be shut out of influential circles, business opportunities, and advantageous knowledge. Essentially, we build cultural silos that keep out people from other cultures. This is the unfortunate reality of BIPOC professionals in North America; resulting in fewer opportunities for us in business. This ultimately has a negative impact on our profitability and income potential.
74% of white professionals state that they don’t have enough BIPOC professionals in their network to share business opportunities with
Source: McKinsey “Women in the Workplace 2019”
When you add all up all our individual bias and multiply it by everyone in our nation, we find a very troublesome outcome. It costs BIPOC professionals 39-58% more to earn the same dollar as white entrepreneurs... This is what we call the 'BIPOC Tax'.
So... What can we do? Actually, there's a lot we can do...
Here are a few simple things that each of us can do to eliminate the BIPOC Tax
1. Invest in BIPOC
This is more of an investment of time and effort. For instance, offering mentorship is a time investment; offering a referral is an effort investment; or offering a social media shoutout is an effort investment. These are all small ways that each of us can invest more in BIPOC professionals. Offer whatever you can, because even the minimum time and effort investment can make a big difference in helping BIPOC professionals overcome discriminatory barriers. Click below to connect with groups that can help you invest in BIPOC.
2. Diversify Your Network
We encourage you to bring more people that don’t ‘look’ like you into your social and professional network; however you define your network. Maybe your LinkedIn network? Instagram? TikTok? Rolodex? Opening your network creates a free flow of knowledge and opportunity that will benefit other communities as much as it will benefit yourself. Click below to for some great resources to help you diversify your network.
3. Buy BIPOC
Definitely one of the easier things we can do. Find BIPOC-owned businesses operating in your local community, and explore what they have to offer. There’s no need to purchase out of obligation, but at least explore and consider a BIPOC product/service as a purchase option. Even redirecting a few more percentage points of our spending towards BIPOC-owned businesses will make a huge difference. Click below to discover BIPOC-owned businesses in your area.
4. Launch an Anti-Racism Initiative
One of the most impactful things you can do as an entrepreneur/intrapreneur to is to start your own social responsibility program that sparks inclusion in your company and your community. Think of all the people in your professional work that may be impacted by discrimination; such as customers, suppliers, employees, partners, community. You have an opportunity to create positive change by putting your ample skills, resources, and influence into motion. Click below to get started.
5. Use Your Social Influence
Think of your last 10 social posts. Do at least 5 of them convey your opinion on diversity and inclusion? If not, it’s time to use your influence as a force for good. Use your platforms – your voice, your company, your online community – to spread the word. We encourage you to share social posts about equity and inclusion inclusion as often as you can. Click below for some great posts that you can start sharing!
6. Learn from BIPOC
There is a lot to be gained when we take the time to learn from other BIPOC entrepreneurs: unique expertise; innovative perspectives; and interesting insights. But more importantly, it gives us an opportunity to hear their story and connect on a deeper level. It’s that connection that helps eliminate the BIPOC Tax. Click below for some great learning resources we’ve put together from BIPOC entrepreneurs.
7. Spark Conversations on Anti-Racism
There has been a lot of really progressive conversations about racial equity and social injustice over the past year. Because of those conversations, we have seen entire institutions become more aware of the issues and shift towards anti-racism. Those conversations are incredibly powerful – and we have to do whatever we can to ensure that those conversations continue. This is why we have put together a collection of ‘Anti-Racism Conversation Starters’ for the workplace. We ask you to use these conversation starters during the first 2-5 minutes of every workplace meeting to continue the dialogue and create a brave space for your colleagues to authentically speak on anti-racism.
8. Anti-Racism in your Everyday Work
Anti-racism is not a single event. It is an ongoing practice of anti-racist thoughts, words, and actions. This means that every moment has the potential to be an ‘anti-racist moment’. We ask you to check in with yourself as often as possible to ensure that you are having enough anti-racist moments in your work life. To make it easier, we have put together the ‘Anti-Racism Audit’ – which is a checklist that you can go through often to ensure that anti-racism is a part of your day-to-day work.
If enough people take these actions everyday, then we can co-create a more equitable vision for Canada; where people of all races, cultures, genders, and backgrounds have equal opportunity to live the entrepreneurial dream.
Thank you to our Supporters
