Recent events have brought to light some challenging realities. We must now address some very important questions about what we want of a fair and just society, and how we as individuals can work to make that accessible to everyone.
While the issues may at times appear grim, we are emboldened by the change makers who are fighting, and by the movement that is taking hold to curb intolerance, address inequality, and dismantle the cultural, economic and political systems that have been put in place to protect an archaic hegemony.
Many of us are using this time to reevaluate our stances, adjust our biases, and to come to terms with what we can do to make things better. At Hyphen, we hold true to values of inclusiveness, and we stand against intolerance. This is a moment where we decide how we want to live and who we want to be.
We are asking ourselves, “how can we do better?”
Change starts with us
Our ideals are not complicated – treat everyone and everything with respect, be thoughtful, be kind and listen.
If we are going to effect positive change as individuals, empowerment must happen at the company level. Whether that change we seek to make is in challenging a status quo, or participating in advocacy, or volunteering our time, know that Hyphen is there to support your efforts in these initiatives.
Certified B Corporation
Certified B Corporations are a new kind of business that balances purpose and profit. They are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment.
It’s not an easy certification to obtain but we’re committed to starting this process our next fiscal year, in October 2020. Of the many standards demanded of B Corps, an inclusive and multicultural team is one of them.
For more details on B Corp. certification, visit their website.
Giving Back
We’ll also be exploring professional and creative non profits and centers that assist with employment of minority youths in Toronto.
We’ll be utilizing resources and partnerships with CCDI (Canadian Centre for Diversity and inclusion) and Toronto Foundation to figure out how we can be a better organization to our people, and to make a positive impact on our communities.
1% for the Planet
There is no social justice if we don’t have a world left to live on. We must be responsible for our impact on the planet, especially living in North America’s fourth largest city. The health of our environment and ecosystem depends on our individual contributions to it. By educating ourselves on how to care for our immediate environment, we can appreciate and realize the value and importance of everyone working together, as one.
That’s why we’ll be applying for the 1% for the Planet certification. It isn’t a one-time designation; it’s an annual process which Hyphen will go through to confirm that we have met our 1% for the Planet commitment.
Part of that commitment means businesses are required to donate the equivalent of 1% of sales to approved nonprofits through a combination of:
- monetary (at least 1/2 of our commitment)
- in-kind and volunteer (at least 1/4 of our commitment), and
- paid promotional support (at least 1/4 of our commitment)
Take a look at the 2018 Annual Report > click here
This is just the start, and we have a long way ahead.
Meaningful change will require persistence and endurance, with the understanding that no small effort will be too trivial.
We believe that business can be a force for good. We believe in doing things the right way. As a company, as individuals, as a family; we cannot prosper unless all of society prospers.
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
