I’ve written a bunch about B Corp certification and the community in the network. Now is an especially exciting time to be part of this community. The B Corp standards are evolving, and with that evolution comes a renewed call to action: companies can no longer afford to stay silent in the face of political and social challenges.

A colleague from The Fehlig Group, another B Corp and a company I work with to deliver sustainability consulting, recently shared an article that really resonated with me. It explored how companies respond to political realities, and made the case that while some companies have engaged in a fight or flight response given the current political environment, some have chosen to “hide” by keeping their heads down and not making statements.

Many of the companies my clients work with fall into that camp but globally, but some companies are fostering real change.

Given the new standards, and the successful No Kings protests this weekend, the protests against immigration raids, I think it’s worth it to talk about what advocacy organizations are doing for businesses in facing a chaotic economic and social environment.

NAWBO Conference: Advocacy on Capitol Hill

Growing up in the Maryland/DC area gave me a front-row seat to how government works. I’ve written letters to county, state, and federal representatives—and even enlisted my congressional rep when a name change issue between the IRS and Social Security stalled. These experiences taught me that our elected officials are not just figureheads—they’re our advocates within the federal system.

When I spoke at the NAWBO conference, one of the most talked-about moments was Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill. The fact that slogging around the Capitol in June was a standout moment showed me that while the system can feel overwhelming, there are people in power who care about small business interests. Even if your representative doesn’t align with your views, committee chairs and budget decision-makers are shaping policies that affect us all.

Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP)

WIPP’s organizational mission is to advocate for women business owners and I’m a member of the organization because keeping up with the changes in legislation and administration is a full time job best done by experts. WIPP’s priority issues cover a broad range of current legislation and policies such as:

  • Access to capital
  • Parity for women-owned small businesses in federal contracting
  • The future of the workforce
  • Unlocking opportunities in the Investing in America Agenda
  • Building a Better Tax Code for women business owners
  • Health equity for women business owners

National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) – Happy Pride Month!

I just finalized my plans to meet my Diversity Masterminds® business partner at the NGLCC conference in Las Vegs in August. Yes, my shoes will probably melt to the pavement but NGLCC is the only organization in the supplier inclusion space that not only facilitates procurement from LGBTQ business owners but also advocates for policies that expand opportunities to LGBTQ businesses. As allies, Heather and I never miss this one, even if it means conferencing in a place that feels like the surface of the sun.

Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce

Advocacy doesn’t stop at national events. I’m a member of the Silver Spring Chamber of commerce which is one of my best sources for Montgomery County policies and how to influence them. They have an Owners and Entrepreneur’s Circle (OEC) which offers community and camaraderie for the small business owners in our area while also lobbying on the County and State level for policies that support us.

I recently mentioned to some of my fellow parents that I appreciate having guidance on who, what, when to write my County Council reps.

3.5% Rule

Admitting that this is not a new finding but one that is new to me. Hearing about where this “rule” comes from is inspiring given the movements we saw over the weekend. I’m drawing The “3.5% Rule”coined from research done by Erica Chenoweth at Harvard is the idea that nonviolent movements involving just 3.5% of the population can create real change. It’s a powerful reminder that small, consistent actions can lead to big results.

Standing Up for Immigrant Communities

One of the most rewarding aspects of being part of the B Corp and We The Change communities is the constant flow of resources and opportunities to live our values. Recently, a fellow member shared information about pushing back on mass deportation efforts—something I’ve been actively seeking ways to support. If you follow our newsletters, you know I’ve been asking for resources, and this kind of collaboration is exactly why these networks matter.

Help Push Back on Mass Deportation

  • Mass deportation is not a policy; it is a guaranteed economic disaster for the county that will financially harm small businesses—20% report losing employees due to immigration crackdowns.
  • Undocumented and Temporary Protective Status immigrants should be allowed to EARN permanent legal status.
  • Federal government must be held responsible for revenue loss to small businesses due to the deportation-fear campaign, illegal deportations and future mass deportation efforts.
  • Help us collect stories of small businesses harmed. https://securegrowthinitiative.com/small-business-impact-stories/ · Raise your small business voice by showing your support for the principles of the Secure Growth Initiative, collectively representing 300,000 small businesses, simply by following this link. No commitment required. https://securegrowthinitiative.com/support-these-principles/ Contact Frank Knapp, 803-600-6874, [email protected]

How are you showing up?

Keeping up individually with everything that’s going on is impossible, even if it is your full time job. I don’t judge business owners who have opted to freeze in the face of economic and political turmoil (not to mention nuclear but trying to stay away from doom and gloom).

I hope that if you are struggling but want to use our voice, platform, or influence to advocate for a better world, there are organizations that can make that available to you. Whether it’s through policy engagement, community involvement, or standing up for vulnerable populations, business organizations are out there doing the work. I’m holding myself accountable to doing more to help.

Would love to hear what your company does in terms of advocacy – locally, nationally or globally. What organizations are inspiring you?