“Now What?” A Business Leader’s Guide to Community Involvement Contributed by Dt. Andrea Williams Rabia Court No. 25 Jacksonville, Fla. If you are like most of the world, you have been consumed by the events of our community since the start of 2020. From the spread of Covid-19 to the current murders of innocent African American people in this country, business leaders have faced countless moments in which it was critical to evaluate the way business is done. Many of you have sprung into action to make internal and external statements about the wellbeing of employees, friends and families, addressed food insecurities with drive-by food pickups, and have participated in countless virtual reading activities for our children. Just like every other major event in our nation’s history and abroad, there is life on the other side of chaos. How will we all pick up the pieces of our communities and businesses and move on? While you or other industry colleagues you know may have significant financial burdens to overcome, one thing will be certain, positively positioning yourself as a good community steward will be critical. People will remember how both you and your company treated them during this time. Magic Johnson was quoted as saying “Philanthropy is the cornerstone of a robust brand.” He’s not spouting those words just because it is the right thing to say, he is giving you the cheat code by telling you philanthropy is of significant importance if you would like for your brand to be successful. Cornerstones have historical relevance; they are a major part of some of our most treasured edifices. The same should be said for the charitable efforts of your company. My goal is to do my part to make sure those around me are successful, so if you have never put any focus on community relations/engagement, I have some helpful tips for you. This is not an end all be all document for community engagement, but it will give you the tools to start the conversation. EducateOne of the most daunting questions, no matter what aspect of life, can be “Where do I start?” There is no question, trying to figure out where to start with your company’s community engagement plan can be the most difficult part. Be confident in knowing that deciding to have a community relations plan is an integral first step. Outside of acknowledgement, you must be ready to educate yourself. Take the time to invest in your knowledge to make sure that you are doing what is best for you and your company. If you have had your nose in the dirt and have taken your finger off the pulse of the community, it is time to come up for air and check the pulse. Figure out what the issues are. Is your primary consumer demographic dealing with a specific issue? If your primary consumer demographic is different from the demographic that lives in the neighborhood that your business resides in, what are the issues your neighbors are dealing with? Take a few moments to put some thought into these questions. Doing so can really help guide you along your way, help you make sure you are staying true to your business’s core 18
The Desert of Florida’s Oasis Magazine
