Rockefeller Tree’s Christmas Surprise | Old Dog’s New Trick | Diversity Pays Off

Hello and welcome to a new edition of the Upturn, the newsletter born out of the desire to do something that will improve the communities within our reach.

In a week marked by promising news on
the Covid-19 vaccine front, a little cherry on top came from the knowledge that music legend and all-around icon Dolly Parton played a role in the vaccine development, having donated $1 million to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. 

More stories about
surprising discoveries below.

In the
Upside, a luxury business learns to pivot to new markets, and a computer scientist receives a belated apology over her unfair dismissal, half a century later.

In
Up-And-Comingchefs are stripping down to support fellow hospitality workers, and an IT consulting firm proves diversity pays off.

In
Uplifting, a 70-year-old innovator comes out of retirement, and a Christmas surprise emerges from the Rockefeller Center’s tree.

Finally, in the
Wrap-Up, the numbers making a difference this week are 120, 5,000, 1,900,000.

Sofia Lotto Persio

Sofia Lotto Persio

Assistant Editor Forbes Europe

The Upside

 
Follow The Clients
 
 
 
Follow The Clients
 

For a few weeks between March and April, private chef company The Culinistas saw their business all but disappear. Then they realized their high-end clientele didn’t leave them, they just relocated from NYC and LA to spots like the Hamptons. They adapted accordingly, and now business is thriving.

Read The Culinistas’ story →
 
Better Late Than Never?
 
 
 
Better Late Than Never?
 

In 1968, computer scientist Lynn Conway was fired from her job at IBM for reasons that are illegal today—namely, that she was transgender. Nearly 52 years later IBM apologized and sought forgiveness.

Meet Lynn Conway →

Up-And-Coming

 
The Naked Chefs
 
 
 
The Naked Chefs
 

Four Philly-area chefs are taking part in a nude photo campaign to raise money for Pennsylvania’s hospitality workers furloughed or laid off because of Covid-19, and more cities across the U.S. may be joining the initiative.

Why They Do It →
 
Diversity Pays Off
 
 
 
Diversity Pays Off
 

In the decade since making its initial public offering, IT consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton grew its revenues by 36%, while its stock has more than quadrupled in price to $85. This success and growth trajectory is based on a philosophy of hiring the best from a diverse pool of talent.

Why It Matters →

Uplifting

 
Old Dog Learns New Trick
 
 
 
Old Dog Learns New Trick
 

Ken Solinsky is using his tech expertise to build a smarter canine enclosure using GPS. “If we make a few bucks, great,” the 70-year-old innovator says. “But if we enhance the lives of pets and pet owners, that would be a nice thing to be able to do.”

How He Did It →
 
The Owl Who Came For Christmas
 
 
 
The Owl Who Came For Christmas
 

The 75-foot (23-meter), 11-ton Norway spruce tree that now stands in Rockefeller Center in New York City didn’t come to the Big Apple alone: concealed within it was a tiny owl, who is now recovering from the dire three-day journey at Ravensbeard Wildlife Refuge.

How It Happened →

The Wrap-up

120 - yearly dollar premium Ben and Jerry's committed to paying cocoa farmers.

5,000
- pledges committed to TechPACT, a team of technology leaders aiming to foster diversity in the sector.

1,900,000
- record sum fetched at an auction by a racing pigeon called New Kim

"I like to always feel like I'm pushing the needle... Anytime I feel complacent, I start to freak out."

NORMANI

MUSICIAN

 
Forbes

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