Forbes Diversity & Inclusion Awards | What The New Stimulus Bill Means For Black-Owned Businesses | 4 Inclusive Marketing Trends

Plus: Forbes Favorites 2020: The Year’s Best Diversity & Inclusion Stories

Last year was a year like no other. We collectively experienced unprecedented riots and a global viral outbreak, and issues of equity and justice took center stage. Our coverage reflects that—from “Black In Business: Celebrating The Legacy Of Black Entrepreneurship,” to “How Diversity Heads Are Steering Their Companies Through The Covid-19 Crisis,” take a look at five of Forbes’ favorite reads from 2020.

A silver lining from the year’s events, 2020 ushered in a series of changes in corporate America, most notably for diversity heads. Big and small businesses alike denounced discrimination and systemic racism, pledging to redress pressing equity issues. In Forbes’ Diversity & Inclusion Awards 2020, we delve into the year’s most intriguing people and most encouraging trends from the social justice frontlines.

In keeping with this theme of change, I'd like to introduce myself as the new editor of (DI)SCUSS. As an assistant managing editor, I’m focused on diversifying Forbes’ recruiting and hiring—across all levels in the newsroom—because, at its best, journalism is meant to report a whole and accurate picture of the news to all people. While lack of true diversity leaves us vulnerable to that danger of the single-story described by Nigerian writer Chimamanda Adichie, who perfectly encapsulates the effects of making informed decisions while only ever hearing one voice and seeing one perspective. To this end, Forbes recently took another step toward achieving this goal by launching the Forbes Fellowship for Business Journalism, an initiative designed to create a pipeline of Black and Brown business journalists from America’s historically Black colleges and universities. 

In the shadow of yesterday’s chaotic events, the early days of 2021 are shaping into another unprecedented moment in U.S. history. As this new year continues—and no matter what it may bring—it is my privilege to bring you our coverage of the events with a distinctly inclusive perspective.

Quiz Yourself

What percentage of companies have metrics in place to track the success of their diversity and inclusion efforts?

(A) 20%

(B) 40%

(C) 60%

(D) 80%

(Answer located at the bottom of this newsletter.)

Editor's Pick

ICYMI

The 117th Congress is made up of a record-setting number of women, people of color and members who identify as LGBTQ. Here’s who’s making history.

Incorporating inclusivity into your brand is important to earning loyal customers. Here are four inclusive marketing trends for 2021 that will affect your brand.

Meet the first Puerto Rican woman to start a pharmaceutical company in the U.S.

The new $900 billion stimulus bill includes $284.45 billion of Paycheck Protection Program funding. Here’s what the new round of PPP loans means for Black-owned businesses.

Just 12% of machine-learning researchers are women, according to a study by Wired. Meet 15 women leading the fight to get more women in AI. 

Research by the Immigration Policy Lab explores why many refugees move after arriving in a new country.

Up Ahead

Quiz Answer: (C) Some 60% of companies have metrics in place to measure the success of their diversity and inclusion initiatives.