While hindsight is 2020, it's hard not to recognize what a historic year we've just left behind. As we enter 2021, we reflect on the injustices, hardships, and challenges of the last year. We also acknowledge, with grateful hearts and hopeful spirits, the moments of joy, growth, and newfound connectedness that 2020 brought us. In a year like no other, we were called to show up for ourselves and for each other like never before.
As we step into this new season, how can we use what we learned in 2020 to build a more inclusive world? How do we commit ourselves to co-creating a better future? And how do we stand for and with each other, working together towards collective good?
As a mission-driven business with an eye on the triple bottom line, we wanted to do more in 2021. But social justice initiatives can easily become an afterthought or a short-term marketing campaign and we wanted to be thoughtful about our impact. According to Tim Greiner, Co-Founder of impact firm Pure Strategies and advocate for corporate sustainability, it is imperative that companies integrate “purpose, passion, accountability and transparency” into their business model, to be prepared to answer the big questions of today, tomorrow and our future.
At Civic Dinners, while connection and inclusivity is built right into our product, we wanted to think bigger about our role as a business, serving people, planet and profit, and to consider how our platform can operate with compassion and convenience in mind. As of October 2020, Civic Dinners is proud to announce its new status as a Public Benefit Corporation.
As a Public Benefit Corporation, we are formalizing our commitment to people and planet, prioritizing our service to the public good in addition to our role as a software platform. Becoming a Public Benefit Corporation means that we must answer to our stated goals of sustainability, inclusivity and justice as a business, moving beyond operating solely with profit in mind. Civic Dinners’ designation as a Public Benefit Corporation puts us in good company with businesses like Kickstarter, Patagonia, Ben and Jerry’s, and Laureate Education.
We now stand in a unique position to practice what we preach - in promoting inclusivity, equity, and sustainability for all.
Our goal at Civic Dinners has always been to catalyze meaningful conversation and social change. Becoming a Public Benefit Corporation has brought us closer to this goal, but it will take more than us to make it happen. We invite you to join us at the table and join us in the movement with our new Equity Series.
The Equity Series is our new carefully crafted collection of conversations centered on building a more inclusive world, where everyone feels heard, engaged, and empowered. The series focuses on discussing key topics that help leaders build more equitable cities and communities.
Join us in challenging ourselves and our communities to prioritize equity, one voice at a time. Learn more about how Civic Dinners can be a tool for change here.