EMPOWERING SAVANNAH

Encouraging Business Owners To Give Back To The Community

BY: CHANTAYE MCLAUGHLIN

Corporat ions and com panies in t his Cit y, t hat w e support , and t hey do very m inim al t o give back t o t he com m unit y

Savannah, Georgia, is a vibrant city known for its rich history, picturesque landscapes, and warm Southern hospitality The city's diverse community has fostered the growth of numerous businesses that contribute to its economic prosperity However, it is essential for business owners to recognize the significant impact they can make beyond the confines of their profit margins By actively giving back to the communities that support them, Savannah's business owners can play a pivotal role in uplifting the city and creating a more sustainable and inclusive environment for everyone

Social Responsibilit y

Business owners in Savannah, like in any other city, have the potential to influence positive change in their communities By embracing social responsibility, businesses can improve their reputation and create a lasting impact on the lives of their employees and customers. Demonstrating concern for social issues can lead to increased customer loyalty and trust, benefiting businesses in the long run.

Support ing Local Init iat ives

Savannah is home to numerous local initiatives and non-profit organizations that aim to address various societal challenges. Business owners can actively participate in these initiatives by offering financial support, volunteering their time and expertise, or even collaborating on community-based projects By contributing to causes that align with their values and the needs of the community, businesses can help address pressing issues such as poverty, education, and healthcare access

Invest ing in Educat ion

Education is the foundation for a strong and prosperous community Business owners in Savannah can contribute to educational initiatives by providing scholarships, internships, or sponsoring educational events Collaborating with local schools and colleges can also foster a more skilled and talented workforce, benefiting businesses and the community alike

Prom ot ing Environm ent al Sust ainabilit y

Savannah's unique ecosystem is part of what makes the city so special. Business owners can take steps to minimize their ecological footprint by implementing sustainable practices within their operations This could include reducing waste, promoting recycling, and using eco-friendly products By adopting environmentally responsible practices, businesses can help protect Savannah's natural beauty for future generations

Local Art s & Cult ure

Savannah boasts a thriving arts and cultural scene that adds vibrancy to the community Business owners can support local artists, musicians, and cultural events through sponsorships or partnerships Investing in the arts not only enriches the community's cultural fabric but also helps attract tourism and boosts the local economy.

Em pow ering Em ployees t o Volunt eer

Encouraging employees to participate in community service can be a powerful way for businesses to give back Offering paid volunteer leave or organizing team-building activities centered around community service can foster a sense of camaraderie among employees while making a meaningful impact on the community.

by Dr. Robert Bryant

Our everyday rights that afford us freedom is being slowly taken by government strategies Roev. Wadewas the starting line for the Supreme Court to revisit long standing rulings that became cemented in the national norms of life. Citizens of the United States developed their way of living as the initial decision created a space for women to make responsible decisions about their bodies. Reproductive rights were not the only structures challenged by the courts, creating a much broader conversation that spilled into 2023.

This past month we witnessed the Supreme Court make another significant shift with the decision to roll back major gains in higher education. The removal of affirmative action in higher education was a significant blow to the institution of civil rights, creating a setback for communities of color The court?s decision on affirmative action opens the door to educational organizations, and others, to limit marginalized communities using racial bias for access.

Affirmative Action is a conceptual term that can be used to develop public policy and develop models for organizations to use.The Affirmative Action organizational model is a framework used to understand the functionality of the conceptual term within an organization The Affirmative Action Model seeks to remedy the ills of past discrimination in higher education and was born from legislative acts and political protests of the 1960?s and 1970?s (Williams & Clowney, 2007; Williams & Wade-Golden, 2007). At the heart of this model is a decrease in visible discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace Programs and initiatives will likely relate to compliance and remedial concerns. The model does not attend to core institutional issues of diversity or respond to processes in staff and faculty practices The Affirmative Action Model only accomplishes a portion in the organizational change process (Williams & Clowney, 2007) not including the institutional culture.

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Cultural paradigm shifts are hopeful as we seek better chances for equality and equal access to opportunities Post secondary education is an opportunity to develop stronger social mobility, in addition to providing greater economic potential for graduatesThe opportunity gap still exists in the USA, creating more of a need for affirmative action policies in higher education and other institutions where communities of color are limited in representation.This was the concern when the use of race was questioned in the Universityof California v. Bakke case in 1978 The decision of the Supreme Court opened the doors of opportunity for individuals who were in marginalized communities based on factors they could not control. Race is the leading identity characteristic that is mostly considered in the affirmative action conversation because it is the factor that allows the concept of diversity to be achieved

The nation is taking the foundational constructs backwards through the erosion of public policies that were used to make us stronger It is not only the higher education spaces that are impacted with decisions like the recent one this summer, striking down the use of race for access purposesThe spaces that were created for the majority will now be given the authority to restrict individuals by using the same construct of race to limit access, creating a step in the wrong direction for our nation.