Giving Compass' Take:

• Hattie Hill offers three pieces of advice for business leaders in their fight to uproot systemic racism in their organizations and those surrounding them.

• Why are business leaders some of the most integral components in the American fight against systemic racism? How can you help destroy racist practices in your industry or organization?

• Read about the racial equity issues that pervade business leadership today.

As leaders, we have a special responsibility to influence and promote positive cultural change. It’s not enough to offer hollow sentiments. We must listen with empathy, use our voices to advocate for change and turn talk into action.

How do we do that? Here are three immediate ways we can positively contribute to this movement.

  • Lead by example. As businesses, we cannot succeed without diversity of thought and experience at the highest levels. Today, let’s commit to selecting more people of color to sit on corporate boards and to creating diverse pipelines that extend all the way to the c-suite. Speak up when someone says or does something that goes against our shared values. Be a mentor in your community and a force for good, in the workplace and beyond.
  • Make smart investments. We must look closely at how we’re allocating resources. Is funding going to sustainable and scalable programs and investments? Are there mechanisms in place to measure success? Corporate leaders should seek out trusted partners who have a stake and foothold in the communities they want to serve.
  • Create a legacy. At some point, we must ask: How do we want to be remembered? The most transformative leaders are known for so much more than simply increasing their bottom lines. When making big decisions, think about what you want your legacy to be and how you’ll be remembered five, 10 and 20 years from now. We all want to be on the right side of history.

Businesses are contributing positively by seeking out diverse voices to lead these conversations, and I hope I have more opportunities to educate and inform those who want to help drive new solutions. Together, we can accomplish big things, including reversing centuries of inequality.

Read the full article about how business leaders can fight systemic racism by Hattie Hill at Dallas News.