The social reckoning of the past few years – as led by members of underserved and unrepresented communities in the wake of police brutality against Black Americans, voter suppression, wage and housing discrimination and much more – has forced Americans to reflect on our country’s systemic racism and how it affects our daily lives.

And while change on an individual level is important, incorporating inclusive business practices into your company is even more essential to enacting societal change.

In the promo products industry, there’s been a conscious push to discover and highlight diverse suppliers, with ASI’s Customer Service department reporting a 650% increase in requests for its woman- and minority-owned supplier list in June 2020.

“Companies have definitely inquired about our minority status,” says Ken Pulliam, vice president of business development for Binders, Inc. (asi/40547), a Black-owned supplier in Charlotte, NC, that offers binders, packaging, promo products and digital engagement/recognition platforms. “We’ve seeing companies make a conscious effort to address economic disparities.”

While certain large corporations and government entities are now required to work with diverse vendors, simple mandates will only go so far to enact change in the long term. Here are a few practices you can incorporate immediately to support minority-owned businesses, and in turn, improve your own workplace inclusion:

Leverage Your Buying Power
The simplest, most straightforward way to support minority-owned businesses is to put your literal money where your mouth is and buy from them. The United States’ Black-white wealth gap, which is expected to cost the economy upwards of $1.5 trillion by 2028, can tighten over time by investing our money into businesses that have succumbed to systemic bias in decades past.

On a micro level, buying goods and services from local businesses supports your community directly as an immediate economic influx – increasing accessibility, reducing shipping costs and turnaround times and aiding the local workforce.

Show Your Support Year-Round
During a time where news cycles are shorter than ever, it’s easy for companies to check a few boxes with short-term changes until outrage for particular issues subsides and it’s back to business as usual. To really upheave societal norms, it’s important to make concerted, long-term efforts to right past wrongs.

“Tokenism is a big challenge,” says Monica Maglaris, co-founder of Liberty Print Co. and former chair of supplier diversity for the Connecticut Gay and Lesbian Chamber. “Sometimes companies only come to us in June because it’s Pride Month and we’re gay-owned, and that hurts. Every day, we put everything we have into what we do. We jump through hoops to get the work. I don’t understand when clients say, ‘Thank you! See you next year!’ We work all year round.”

Create lasting partnerships with minority-owned suppliers and make quarterly goals to promote their products in cross-platform marketing efforts. Other ways to help include writing online reviews for their business and sponsoring them through the Chamber of Commerce.

Address Diversity and Inclusion Internally
One of the most effective ways to promote diversity within the industry is also the most self-explanatory: increase your own company’s efforts. Business’s that establish a diverse work environment report increased creativity, higher retention rate and a more innovative office setting. The inclusion of more diverse ideas, perspectives and backgrounds naturally opens up more avenues for business.

“’Diversity’ isn’t just a buzz phrase,” says Kathy Cheng, founder and president of certified women-owned Redwood Classics Appreal (asi/81627) in Toronto, and the Canada LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce’s 2020 Supplier Diversity Ambassador. “It’s about making the world a more equitable, fair and creative place, and supporting marginalized populations. Diverse voices and ideas make your product and company stronger.”

How do you show your support for minority-owned businesses? If you are a minority-owned business, what are some ways you promote your brand? Tell us on our members-only Facebook page!

sources:
“7 Ways to Help Minority-Owned Businesses.” Miller, Derek. June 20, 2020.  Lendio.

“6 Ways You Can Support Black Businesses Long-Term.” Dodds, Frances. Entrepreneur.

“5 Ways to Promote Your Minority-Owned Business.” Fallon, Nicole. August, 23, 2021. U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

“Building supportive ecosystems for Black-owned US businesses.” October 29, 2020. McKinsey & Company.