In this special 2 part episode of Big Voices on Small Business, the WCEC team, industry leaders and BIPOC and women small business owners come together for a compelling panel discussion on how small businesses can be allies to advocate for racial equity and social change. With the senseless killing of George Floyd, which sparked a global movement for racial justice led by Black Lives Matter, the business world was forced to take a hard look at how companies can increase their corporate social responsibility efforts to make diversity and inclusion and racial equity a top priority. In this lively talk, it is clear that for BIPOC small business owners who have been disproportionately affected by Covid-19, being an ally means making sure they have a seat at the table to amplify BIPOC and female voices and giving back to their communities in meaningful ways. The panel discussion is moderated by WCEC Board President Alyce Hackett and Executive Director Rana Shanawani, with featured guest speaker Hester Agudosi, Chief Diversity Officer, NJ Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and small business owner panelists - JaLeena Anthony, Create that Party, Bettina Peets, Adventures for the Soul and Kris Ohleth, Garden State Kitchen.

For more information, go to https://www.wcecnj.org/

The panel is sponsored by McCarter & English