THE CANADIAN BLACK STANDARD ANNOUNCES FIRST FOUNDING PARTNERSHIP WITH RBC
RBC commits $100,000 to the new non-profit focused on supporting Black Women in Marketing
TORONTO, August 10, 2021 – Today, the Canadian Black Standard (The Standard) announced RBC as its first founding partner. The exclusive partnership will kick-off with educational content, resources, and members-only programming powered by RBC.
“The Standard aims to address the equity gap with a holistic approach – creating a community of support for Black womxn, working with like-minded organizations who have shared values, and partnering with corporations committed to intentional and sustainable action and change,” said The Standard’s Board Chair & Co-Founder, Anastasia Gordon. “RBC’s meaningful contribution enables us to set the organization up for success and re-invest in the prosperity of our community.”
RBC’s investment will support The Standard’s inaugural year of programming and community outreach. Launching in the fall of 2021, RBC and The Standard will collaboratively produce ‘Money Moves’ a professional development initiative centered on financial literacy and economic empowerment.
In 2020, RBC announced its Action Plan against Systemic Racism. As part of its purpose to help its clients thrive and communities prosper, RBC is acting on the opportunity and business imperative to put its collective energy toward positive, sustainable change. Working together with partners like The Standard, RBC is helping to create a more prosperous and inclusive future, remove biases and barriers, and expand opportunities for BIPOC clients, colleagues, and communities.
“Ensuring the leaders of tomorrow, including BIPOC individuals and Black womxn, have equal opportunity today is critical to building more inclusive companies and communities that can achieve their greatest potential,” said Mark Beckles, Vice President, Social Impact & Innovation, RBC. “We recognize that Black womxn disproportionately face barriers in the labour market and are proud to partner with The Standard to provide them with the programming and resources needed to reach equitable, sustainable pathways to prosperity.”
The global reckoning of systemic racism in 2020 surfaced many underlying issues faced by the Black community and further illuminated the equity gap in the professional arena. The workplace is the second most likely place for people to experience discrimination. Well before the pandemic, Black womxn stood at the intersection of multiple barriers to entry and advancement. The devastation of COVID-19 has exacerbated these challenges for many equity-seeking communities, and further reinforced the need for connection, community and support.
Companies globally, across every industry, are now being challenged to step up and do the work to address Anti-Black Racism and dismantle employment inequity. The Standard aims to address these needs, through an intersectional lens, and requires the commitment of companies like RBC to Elevate the Standard, Educate the Community and Accelerate the Industry.
Rolling-out in the fall of 2020, The Standard’s burgeoning online community focuses on sharing and amplifying stories of Black Canadian womxn, providing career advice, opportunities and resources.
A members-first organization, The Standard is committed to building a national community with a full suite of member benefits and resources, including professional development programming, expert advice, industry insight, job opportunities and networking experiences.
“Representation matters, especially within an industry that defines and shapes brands and consumer beliefs. Commitment to carving out equitable opportunities for Black womxn shouldn’t be a timely, performative act, it has to become The Standard," added Gordon.
Visit canadianblackstandard.com to learn more about The Standard.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Bailey Williams | 647-460-7976 | info@canadianblackstandard.com
About the Standard
Set it. Raise it. Be it.
The Standard is Canada’s premier networking and advocacy platform addressing systemic barriers to employment advancement and the inclusion of Canadian Black womxn in the sector of marketing. Founded in 2020 by a collective of Canadian BIPOC womxn, with decades of global experience in the marketing sector, who saw an immediate need to emphasize an intersectional approach to support those within their industry. The Standard is elevated by our Founding Partner RBC and Corporate Partners Blake’s and Victory.
Join the community @CanadianBlackStandard on Instagram and LinkedIn.
