5 Things / #doingthework
I asked a group this week to anonymously share: What hashtag would you use to describe inclusion at your company right now?
I heard: #dyingaslowdeath #quiet #nope. I also heard: #doingthework and #collaborative. All can be true. And all are a mirror of reality.
I know people want to give up. I also know people are still hungry for progress. My job in that workshop was to remind them that influence is still possible. That you can make a case for inclusion that reaches both leadership and the people too scared to show up.
And here’s the thing: the words will sound different coming from you than from me. That’s good. That’s how it should be. What matters is that your pitch always brings both story and data. Empathy and logic. Hearts and minds.
That’s how we shift a hashtag from #quiet to #momentum. What’s your hashtag?
This Week's Good Vibes:
Ice cream without activism
Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield has stepped away, saying corporate leadership (Unilever) is muting the company’s activist roots. For decades as a private company, the brand connected ice cream with racial justice, climate action, and human rights, which you may have read about here. The problem is that when activism gets silenced inside companies, the status quo wins and systemic inequities persist. ♐ Encourage leaders in your sphere to protect, not punish, values-driven action inside organizations.
Bank wages hit $25
Bank of America is raising its minimum hourly wage to $25, giving full-time workers more than a $50,000 annual salary. Women and BIPOC, who disproportionately work in lower-wage financial jobs, will see the greatest impact. By lifting its wage floor, BofA is showing how it’s possible to chip away at racial and gender wealth gaps. ♐ Audit who benefits most from pay raises in your workplace and set equity-centered wage goals, not just market-driven ones.
Thailand extends pregnancy leave
Thailand’s Senate voted to extend paid pregnancy leave from 98 to 120 days. Note that the US leave is zero days. It’s rare to see Southeast Asian countries expand parental protections, and the move helps parents, especially those in lower-wage jobs, stay financially stable. Policies like this drive equity and retention across workplaces. ♐Advocate for nongendered, paid family leave policies that cover all caregivers, not just birthing parents, to close equity gaps and support long-term retention.
Boston church confronts slavery ties
Old South Church in Boston honored enslaved people once held by its early members. It’s a rare example of a U.S. church acknowledging its role in slavery and naming individuals erased by history. Repair starts with truth, and this is a model of institutional courage, particularly noteworthy when the Smithsonian is diluting US history. ♐Invite your organization to research its own history. Naming past harms is the first step toward reconciliation.
Bath bombs for trans rights
Lush launched a trans flag–themed “Liberation” bath bomb, donating 75% of sales to trans-led charities like TransActual and the Transgender Equality Network Ireland. In a climate where trans rights are under attack, this kind of unapologetic, visible allyship from a global brand matters. It shows how businesses can celebrate identity and redistribute resources. ♐ Use your platform, big or small, to pair symbolic support with tangible action.
Good Vibes to Go:
Several major Jewish holidays start this week, including Rosh Hashana on Monday. Shanah Tovah to all who celebrate. Learn more about the Jewish holidays in this LinkedIn post by our friends at Seva Global.