This webinar is part of IEN's Investing in Racial Equity Series
Date: December 15, 2020, 1:00 p.m. ET
It is abundantly clear how investments in private prisons, or lack of investments for entrepreneurs of color, affect racial justice outcomes. But what about all the other investments in a portfolio? In this session led by Andrea Armeni, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Transform Finance, we will focus on some of the more difficult-to-see ways in which endowments are inextricably linked to outcomes that negatively affect communities of color. Transform Finance, along with other experts in the field, will lead us into conversation to argue that capital has a long way to go in being a true ally – or even just not being a source of harm – for communities of color, and this starts with identifying where race shows up in a portfolio in less obvious ways. Panelists will provide a look at some examples that tie seemingly neutral investment decisions to harmful practices that exacerbate issues like the racial wealth gap, job quality, education, housing, and health. We will discuss some of the real actions investors can take – and also try to get some ideas from the audience on obstacles to this approach.
Speakers:
- Andrea Armeni, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Transform Finance
- Lisa Hayles, Investment Manager at Trillium Asset Management
- Renaye Manley, Board Member of Majority Action, the Council of Institutional Investors, and the Thirty Percent Coalition
Recording:
Resources referenced:
- How Investments Drive Injustice and What Investors Can Do About It | Transform Finance, September 2020
- Equity in the Boardroom: How Asset Manager Voting Shaped Corporate Action on Racial Justice in 2020 | Majority Action, 2020
- Racial Justice Investing Group - RJI is a coalition of investors, asset owners, and business leaders who are taking action for racial justice within our own organizations, as well as in our engagements with portfolio companies
- S&P 250 Workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Disclosure Scorecard | As You Sow
- Nasdaq filed a proposal with the SEC to require Nasdaq-listed companies to disclose diversity statistics & have at least 2 diverse directors | Nasdaq is getting tremendous push back on their diversity proposal. It's important for all investors to submit supportive comments to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) at [email protected]. To reference the talking points that have been disseminated via the Thirty Percent Coalition, contact Kaede ([email protected]).