Wednesday, September 28, 1pm ET - Adjusting Your Vision: State Adoption of a Racial Impact Note Act
Racial Impact Notes ask if pending legislation will eliminate existing racial and inequities or make the situation worse. It is a means of putting questions of structural racism and inequities on the table for examination. Such a mechanism exists in the state of Illinois where Dr. Tasha Green Cruzat of Children’s Advocates for Change led the advocacy efforts to enact a Racial Impact Note Act. In this webinar, Dr. Green Cruzat, and State Representative Camille Lilly, who sponsored and fought for the legislation, will describe the multi-year journey to passage of the Act, resistance encountered, and the implications of its enactment.

Friday, October 7, 1pm ET - Beyond Impact Investing and ESG
The truth is the financial system and institutions are not broken, they are designed to oppress and create inequity. The Restorative Economies Fund at the Kataly Foundation is based on its CEO, Nwamaka Agbo's restorative economics framework and focuses on systems change for the prosperity of all. In this session, we will learn more about what intentional finance for systems change based on restorative economics look like, examine some examples of restorative investing, and also discuss the policy changes needed to make this approach successful.

Wednesday, October 12, 1pm ET - Expediting Inclusive Resilience and Positive Impact Through Climate-Friendly, Community-Centric Adaptive Redevelopment
In this webinar, we will discuss the importance of business leadership and investments in community-based partnerships to expedite meaningful and transformative innovation, local capacity building, scalable solutions and holistic resilience and sustainability in the age of climate crisis.

Featuring 2 Innovative Models Driven By Fair and Equitable Commercial, Industrial and Residential Adaptive Redevelopment:

1. Hugo Neu Kearny Point Innovative Flood Risk Assessment & Water Resilience Study: Findings, Recommendations and Transferability for Climate-Impacted Urbanized Coastal Communities (Wendy K. Neu & Dominique Lueckenhoff, Hugo Neu)
2. Vancouver Heritage Commission First Nations Full Housing Retention Model for Social Housing That Supports People, Community, and Planetary Wellbeing (Alex Lau, Golden Properties Ltd & Mark Shieh, Tomo Spaces)

Friday, October 14, 1pm ET - Dismantling Racism & Inequality | Community Investing for Institutions and Individuals
In this session presented by ASBN's CDFI Working Group, we will hear from individual investors from around the country (Pam Porter, Babbie Jacobs, Dorothy Adams, Tom Abood) who have put their dollars to work for community impact through investments in Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI). These investments seek to dismantle racism and inequality in Native, Black, and Brown communities across the country. Investors will share the impact they have seen as their investments supported affordable housing, entrepreneurship, childcare, education, and assistive technology.

We will also showcase groundbreaking research that identifies over 70 CDFI loan funds that have programs set up to take investments from investors and institutions, as well as resources to locate FDIC-insured CDFI banks, credit unions, and resources.

Wednesday, October 19, 1pm ET - How To Establish A Credible Giving Program
Join us for this informative webinar on the importance of credible giving in the age of greenwashing, co-presented by 1% for the Planet and Avocado Green Brands. 1% supports verified donations to verified non-profits and Avocado Green Brands has been a strong case study in using this service. Hear how to get involved with 1% for the Planet (individuals included) and how to get creative with giving (volunteering, in-kind donations, etc.)

Friday, October 21, 1pm ET - Exploring Employee Ownership: Why Business Owners Choose it and what it Could Offer Your Company
In honor of Employee Ownership month, the ASBN Transforming Business Ownership working group is pleased to present this special panel. Speakers will include leaders of employee-owned businesses who can share different perspectives on the value of employee ownership and how it contributes to their company’s success, whether through employee engagement and retention, succession planning and ownership transitions, or just another way to express the company’s commitment to sustainability. Panelists will address different scenarios through which businesses can transition to employee ownership.

Moderator: Derek Peebles | ASBN Director of Inclusive Economy

Panelists: Tommy Smith of Kaiser Permanente (KP), will discuss KP’s employee ownership program and its partnership with Project Equity and Obran Cooperative.

Additional panelists to be announced soon.

Follow-Up meeting on October 28th at 1pm ET - In Depth Conversations with Employee Ownership Experts
Featuring Corey Rosen (NCEO), Hilary Abell (Project Equity), Jack Moriarity (Ownership America), Karen Kahn (The Democracy Collaborative), Kristen Barker (Co-op Cincy), Matt Kruetz (Firebrand Artisan Breads)

Thursday, October 27, 1pm ET - Purpose and Profit- George Serafeim with Jeffrey Hollender
Are purpose and profit in conflict, or can both be achieved simultaneously with the right mindset and tools? What are the forces that are reshaping the relationship between the two? What can we all do to strengthen the relationship between purpose and profit as entrepreneurs, managers, employees, consumers, and investors? Join ASBN's Jeffrey Hollender in conversation with distinguished Harvard Business School Professor George Serafeim about his new book, Purpose and Profit, which, backed by over 15 years of empirical and field research, provides answers to these fundamental questions that are increasingly defining the business landscape all around the world. 

Wednesday, September 28, 4pm ET - Business for Democracy | Open to all! Join the meeting at this link

Special guest will be Dan Weiner, Director of Elections and Governance at the Brennan Center for Justice.

Mr. Weiner will be discussing the importance of Congress passing the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.  The ASBN Business for Democracy state collaboratives are advocating for passage of these Acts to secure our democracy as well as the bipartisan bills in the House and Senate to reform the Electoral Count Act.

Thursday, October 6, 7:30pm ET - Dismantling Racism & Inequality
Faith Based Community Investing Series Part 1 | Open to all

The first convening of the series, “Introduction to Faith-Based Community Investing,” will feature dynamic speakers, clergy and congregations to introduce the Faith-Based Community Investing movement, including case studies from different faith communities. In addition, we will provide an overview of the opportunities and how best to take advantage of them based on the unique perspectives and values of the attendees. We believe developing relationships with and investing in local economies that serve under resourced communities is an action that can help to dismantle racism accountably and other oppressions in ourselves, institutions and the economy.

This event is the first in a series. See all events here

Wednesday, September 28, 12pm MDT - Recruiting & Retaining Talent from Underrepresented Populations | HYBRID: In-person in Sterling, CO & Virtual

Even before the pandemic, the tight labor market was felt across Colorado and especially in the rural and frontier parts of the state, and that trend doesn’t appear to be changing anytime soon. That’s why it is more important than ever for employers to be able to recruit and retain great employees from underrepresented populations. This event will showcase businesses in a variety of industries that have had success with building their team utilizing people who are often unnecessarily overlooked, and present resources to support businesses in successfully employing these individuals.

October 2-7, 2022 - Alaska Native Economic Wellbeing Journey | In-person in JUNEAU, ALASKA

This curated journey will enable you to learn firsthand how Alaska Native cultures continue to thrive through building regenerative local economies that enhance cultural values. From fishing villages to Native boardrooms, the week has been carefully curated by Alaska Native leaders to showcase the connectivity among communities, businesses, healing, cultural arts, subsistence lifestyle, and what it takes to steward regional ecosystems. The week will also include a deep exploration of Resilience Circles, an innovative model to grow Alaska Native businesses through a wellbeing-first approach. 

Tuesday, October 18, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM EDT - Advocate Where You Are: Local Policy Training for Sustainable Businesses | Register here

Join B Lab U.S. & Canada, the American Sustainable Business Network, and Ceres for a policy advocacy training focused on how B Corps and sustainable businesses can make a difference at the local, state and provincial levels. We will hear from seasoned experts, local elected officials, and companies who have made an impact in their community. We’ll provide information on getting started in local advocacy, identifying community partners, and navigating complex politics.