ASBN is excited to share what we have in store for June 2023 and our highlights from May with members, partners, business leaders, investors and allies across the nation as we build a more equitable economy. ASBN is committed to working with and alongside our network to develop and elevate the policy solutions needed for inclusive and long-lasting systems change -- thank you all for your part in advancing our mission.
 

Mia most recently served as Director of Federal and External Affairs for The Hub Project, where she led an in-house and external lobbying team in developing and executing strategies for engaging Congress, the administration, and organizational partners in support of the Hub’s issue advocacy campaigns. She also co-led the organization’s strategic planning process. 

Before joining the Hub, Mia served as Legislative Affairs and Policy Counsel for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a political watchdog focused on government accountability, ethics, and transparency. Mia has also served as Investigative Counsel for the U.S. Senate and worked as Managing Editor for the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, where she led the research and policy agenda for small businesses and tech. Mia began her career as a civil defense litigator. She received her J.D. from Howard University School of Law and her undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC).

You can reach Mia at: [email protected]
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ASBN President, David Levine was recently featured on the "Engineering Equity for All" podcast, a production of the National Supplier Diversity Institute.   Listen here. 
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ASBN received the Willam Penn Foundation Waterfront Protection Grant to organize business leaders through the Clean Water is Good For Business campaign to support clean water policies in the Delaware River Basin.  
Read more here. 
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ASBN celebrates the Biden-Harris Administration's New Development and Improvements on Loan Program Modernization to Expand Access to Capital for Small Businesses. Program Improvements will expand access to capital for small businesses, especially small-dollar loans, and increase protection against fraud as part of rulemaking finalized in April.

President Biden’s Investing in America agenda has paved the way for historic economic progress – over 12.7 million jobs created and a small business boom of 10.5 million new business applications in 2021 and 2022. At the same time, SBA recognizes that small businesses, particularly those owned by individuals in underserved communities who are highly entrepreneurial, still face longstanding barriers in accessing capital needed to start or grow their businesses.  

Be sure to check out “Unearthly Promises: ASBN’s Guide to Greenwashing”

Greenwashing is the act or practice of making a product, service, organization, or policy appear more environmentally-friendly or less environmentally harmful than it actually is.

ASBN’s Guide, using real world examples, highlights in-depth how greenwashing is bad for business, human health and the environment. Readers will learn that though environmental messaging has become an essential marketing tool, the temptation to exaggerate or manufacture green product claims and company bona fides comes with grave risks to bottom lines, corporate reputations, and other essential things. Additionally, as detrimental as greenwashing is for businesses, it is even harder on the environment. When it comes to critical issues like the climate crisis, solid waste production, and toxic pollutants, making things look better when they are actually making things worse than they already are. Greenwashing’s deleterious effects on the environment extend to its impacts on the health of communities and the people who inhabit them.

ASBN acknowledges that members of our organization and the business community in general have an important role to play in reining in greenwashing. By providing key takeaways and calls to action we can make the crucial difference to end today’s greenwashing scourge.

Read and download the full guide HERE.

Regenerative Agriculture

Building on a series of successful DC events that have amplified farmer and business voices, the Regenerative Agriculture and Justice campaign will be partnering with Regenerate America to bring over two dozen businesses to The Hill on June 14th for the 2023 Farm Bill Fly-In: The Business Case for a Regenerative Transition. 

For members interested in joining the fly-in, please register here. 

The Farm Bill is one of the biggest legislative opportunities in 2023, and it only comes around every five years. Businesses have a critical role in shaping agricultural production. With opportunities for investments in food and agriculture businesses, rural development, renewable energy, natural climate solutions like soil carbon sequestration, and more it is important to act now. Read more about our joint platform here. 

On May 25th, The Supreme Court sided with big polluters in the Sackett vs. EPA case by eliminating protections for wetlands and streams, except in minimal circumstances, putting the health of our communities, the prosperity of our local economies, and the safeguarding of our local ecosystems in danger. Clean water is the economic lifeblood of many businesses and communities throughout the nation. Both big and small businesses rely on clean water for daily business needs, to create jobs, and to power towns, cities, and states. Read more here. 

For far too long, the air we breathe has been used as a dumping ground by the fossil fuel industry. The EPA proposed a plan to cut climate pollution from existing coal, existing gas, and new gas power plants. The proposed rule provides a clear end point for where the industry needs to get to as well as pathways to modernize how we produce power in this country. By providing several different opportunities for compliance and multiple financial incentives, power plants now have all they need to move forward with cleaning up their act. Send a comment to your legislator urging them to protect our communities and businesses from harmful pollutants here.

If you have any questions reach out to Mike Green, [email protected], or Liza LaManna, [email protected],

ASBN Invites Members to Support Indigenous-Led Economic Development
ASBN invites businesses, foundations, impact investors, Indigenous-led businesses, Indigenous-led foundations, Native-led financial institutions, and Tribal Leaders to participate in our DOI Public-Private Partnership Working Group. If you're interested in learning more, please complete the interest form. Contact David Levine at [email protected] or Terrius Harris, at [email protected] if you have additional questions.

Please note, this is a member-only working group

Member News

Avocado Green Brands
AVOCADO GREEN ANNOUNCES BIGGEST IMPACT EVER WITH ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

EcoPlum
EcoPlum Unveils Purpose with Brand New Look and Bold Logo 

ClimateTrade
ClimateTrade Hires Alec Saltikoff as U.S. Advisor, Michael Cassis as VP of Sales North America

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Welcome to our newest members!

One Small Planet (Business - Impact)
One Small Planet are systems architects. They take part in the evolution of our economy by integrating natural intelligence and indigenous wisdom with modern technologies and systems in support of harmonious environmental and economic wealth.


Tern Strategies (Business-Community)
Tern Strategies, LLC, is a consulting practice at the intersection of strategic communications and investment. They develop products and partnerships that attract and mobilize resources to solve critical, complex challenges for people and planet.

Join us for the 2023 ASBN Conference!

November 29 to December 1  | DoubleTree Hilton Berkeley Marina, CA

ASBN 2023 is a convening that exists to inform, connect, and mobilize business leaders and investors to transform the public and private sectors toward a sustainable economy that is stakeholder-driven, regenerative, just, and prosperous. ASBN has the uniquely potent ability to build the large-scale movement of profound economic and public policy change the world so desperately needs.

The conference will offer daily engaging main stage sessions, action-oriented breakout workshops, deep dives, local Berkeley excursions, film screenings, live music, and lots of time to connect and build relationships with the community. Did we mention that the Hospitality Suite is back?!

The ASBN Conference is our signature event, continuing the strong legacy of the Social Venture Network (SVN) conference. Speakers to be announced!

ASBN Members may submit session proposals for consideration. Please email [email protected]

Interested in proposing a conference session but not an ASBN member?  
Apply to become a member today or contact us to get more information on sponsorship opportunities. 

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT is available until July 1!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/asbn-2023-conference-early-bird-registration-tickets-632829027657

See here for sponsorship opportunities!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nG97Uhdlux6tFWgGqOOyQzhUDeAQRlPS/view

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The Anti-ESG Movement: Combating the Attack on Sustainable Business & Impact Investing | San Francisco, CA
Wednesday, June 28, 5:30-7:30pm

In anticipation of the forthcoming ASBN 2023 Conference in Berkeley, join the American Sustainable Business Network and Hanson Bridgett for a panel discussion, refreshments, and networking!

Climate and shareholder activists are leading a growing movement for investors to put their money in companies with sustainable business practices or ESG standards- standards that considers how a company is run, the working conditions in its supply chain, its carbon footprint, etc. Investor action has moved business to make changes that align with investor interest in these topics. A focus on stakeholder interests has moved business to adopt net zero targets, DEI, sustainable supply chains, and more responsible practices.

Why then are ESG and sustainable investing and business practices under attack when investing in companies that are forward thinking has also aligned with better risk adjusted financial return? In this session, our panel of experts will tackle this question and what can be done to combat the Anti-ESG movement.

Speakers
- Andrew Behar, CEO, As You Sow
- Janine Firpo, Co-Founder, Invest for Better
- Kristin Hull, Founder and CEO, Nia Impact Capital 
- Darya Allen-Attar, Financial Advisor, Investing with Impact Director, Lending Specialist, Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-anti-esg-movement-combating-the-attack-on-business-impact-investing-registration-646255426377
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The following events are open to ASBN Members-Only:
 

American Sustainable Business Network Member Reception | Washington, DC  Tuesday, June 13, 5-7pm 

Meet fellow DC-based American Sustainable Business Network members for happy hour ahead of the member lobby day meetings/2023 Farm Bill Fly-In!

Members, please email [email protected] to register.

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The Business Case for Carbon Labels  |  June 22, 2023 1:00 PM ET

Carbon Labels are practical solutions for businesses to use and demonstrate both their climate literacy and the actions they've taken to reduce carbon emissions. 

Join the ASBN community to discuss the benefits of using eco-friendly labels and why your business should consider making the switch, if you haven't already. 

This member-only event will also open a discussion with other businesses that are using Carbon Labels today, how they implemented them to track and report carbon emissions throughout their supply chain. 

This event will be beneficial to both businesses already engaged in this area, and those  interested in connecting with other members and learning more about Carbon Labels.

Interested in learning more? 
Email us!

For more on member's only and upcoming in-person and virtual events, visit ASBN's 2023 events calendar.
Please contact Thulasi Sivalingam at [email protected] with any questions.