Business Equity Indy (BEI), a collaboration of Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), Indy Chamber of Commerce and Indianapolis Urban League, held a virtual event to provide progress on activities and initiatives to improve racial equity and economic opportunity in Central Indiana.
“Business Equity for Indy (BEI) was formed last summer during a period of intense racial tension across our nation following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Over the past year, BEI member companies have come together to outline meaningful actions to advance racial equity across Central Indiana,” said Jeffrey Harrison, BEI chair and president and CEO of Citizens Energy Group.
In addition, the event commemorated the one-year anniversary of the Indy Racial Equity Pledge, a commitment by corporate and civic organizations to improve racial equity.
Several accomplishments were highlighted:
Twenty-two businesses signed and made progress on the Indy Racial Equity Pledge and committed to more than $250 million in investments and thousands of hours toward racial equity goals.
Five CEO-led BEI task forces comprised of more than 80 businesses and community leaders formed to identify opportunities for businesses to advance racial equity in hiring and promotion; procurement and participation; learning and talent; impediments to health; and public policy through collaboration, creation and investment.
The Procurement and Participation task force, which is led by local Black-owned businesses, local corporations, Indy Chamber and Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council (Mid-States MSDC), held a roundtable in August and more procurement roundtables are planned.
The Impediments to Health task force led the creation of an online Vaccinations Employer Playbook to provide guidance to large and small companies on how to prepare and educate their workforce regarding vaccination.
Tony Mason, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Urban League, explained that BEI’s efforts come at a critical time in our community’s history. “The work of BEI is an important complement to the work of the Indianapolis Urban League, particularly our African American Quality of Life Initiative,” said Mason. “Together, we can change lives by engaging with members of the Black community and other communities of color to help design both immediate actions and long-term goals for advancing racial equity.”
Watch the event by clicking the link.
