Method

Jul. 21, 2016 12:01 pm

ImpactPHL just launched and here’s the first thing it needs to do

Get more diversity in the room.

Harry Halloran (left) is introduced by RoseAnn Rosenthal.

(Photo by Tony Abraham)

ImpactPHL is gathering the building blocks to establish Philadelphia as a city where socially and environmentally conscious businesses can do well by doing good. But it’s missing a few of those building blocks.

To be blunt — and as we reported when they first announced their formation — the impact investing network is very much a bunch of white people.

It’s a sensitive issue, and this isn’t to say that the whiteness of ImpactPHL is intentional. Unfortunately, in the venture capital world, that’s just the way things go.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Diversity can be the first of many things ImpactPHL can strive to improve.

There needs to be support for social entrepreneurs of color, especially entrepreneurs working in their own neighborhoods. Despite this being a white male-dominated field, there needs to be more people of color and women involved in the conversation at the top level.

Why does this matter? For one, any sector in any city should strive to better represent the racial demographics of that city. But also because communities of color are the communities most affected by socioeconomic inequity and injustice — the same communities many social enterprises aim to help.

Over 150 people came out to Ben Franklin Technology Partners HQ at the Navy Yard for the event. Maybe 30 were people of color.

Where was social entrepreneur and venture capitalist Jon Gosier, who, at a Tech Impact fundraiser last fall said venture capital “doesn’t have to be a profit-making opportunity” but “can be an impact-making opportunity, as well”?

Where were Scholly cofounder Chris Gray or Rising Sons founder Alex Peay or Media In Neighborhoods Group cofounder El Sawyer? Where were ROAR For Good founder Yasmine Mustafa or Food Connect Group founder Megha Kulshreshtha or venture capitalist and philanthropist Sashi Reddi?

From our Partners

Whether invited or not, none were at the Navy Yard for the ImpactPHL launch last week.

ImpactPHL has an opportunity to establish Philadelphia as a city that can not only have a leading impact economy, but can credibly pride itself on the diversity of its impact economy. Now is the time to step up.

-30-

From our Partners

What Black professionals and professionals of color hope for from Philadelphia

Trade Diversity: How Workforce Development Programs Are Working to Close the Gaps

The Illusion of Inclusion

SPONSORED

Generocity Philly

Meet Kim Andrews, new executive director for The Fund for Women and Girls

Philadelphia, PA

Pennsylvania Prison Society

Education and Advocacy Director

Apply Now
Radnor, PA

The Grace S. and W. Linton Nelson Foundation

Communications and Outreach Manager

Apply Now
Philadelphia,PA

DiverseForce

Director of Communications

Apply Now

Tell us: Who has real impact in the region’s nonprofit sector?

Love your neighbor and embrace the stranger

Culture Builder: Local governments should attract people, not companies

SPONSORED

Generocity Philly

Be the leader to bring a 26-year mission into the future in Chester County

8033 Germantown Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19118

harp-weaver LLC

Administrative & Grants Associate

Apply Now
Hamilton, NJ

Grounds For Sculpture

Manager of Wellness Programs

Apply Now
Central Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Prison Society

Prison Monitoring Manager

Apply Now
   
       
       

Subscribe to Generocity

       
* indicates required