Source: Fortune
Summary
Civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson, who died at 84, began his career by increasing workplace diversity in the business world. In the 1960s, he led Operation Breadbasket, a campaign to desegregate jobs and increase employment opportunities for Black Americans in Chicago. He later took his strategy to Wall Street, advancing racial diversity in both symbolic and material ways. Jackson also pushed for transparency in Silicon Valley, convincing companies to publicly reveal their diversity statistics. Despite declining health, Jackson continued to advocate for diversity and inclusion until his death.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story.
Jackson’s legacy in business is a testament to the power of persistence and strategic activism. He leveraged his influence to champion workplace diversity, from small enterprises to Wall Street giants like Goldman Sachs. His efforts led to tangible results, such as increased hiring and retention of minority employees and allocation of capital to minority-owned companies. However, his later years saw companies backtrack on diversity efforts, with Goldman Sachs removing diversity factors from its board criteria.
Jackson’s impact on business will be remembered as a significant step towards greater diversity and inclusion.
Author: Evan Null
