My First Champions Retreat

Photo: Author

My involvement in the Community of Certified B Corporations began on March 3, 2020, when I joined B Lab as a Standards Analyst. Reporting to the office in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, I spent eight business days immersed in onboarding activities. On Thursday, March 12, 2020, the team was informed that the office would be closed that Friday as a precautionary measure given developments of an advancing virus. Normal office operations were set to resume the following Monday. That Monday never came. 

Now more than four years later, my involvement in the Community has spanned various roles. From my original role as an employee, I transitioned to partnering with B Lab as an independent contractor. I founded my own company and, as a Trained B Consultant, started supporting companies on their journey to become Certified B Corporations. Most recently, I began serving as a B Local Leader in Texas and a BIPOC Network Leader for B Lab U.S. & Canada.

I’ve performed all of these roles in a fully remote environment. Consequently, my understanding and perception of the Community has been shaped strictly through a remote lens. Despite the limitations of a head-and-shoulders frame on Zoom, I’ve been able to connect with countless individuals to capture a lot of positive impact.

Coming Full Circle In Person
When I arrived in Vancouver, British Columbia, this past March for my very first Champions Retreat, the initial reaction others had when they recognized me was heartwarming and comical. In addition to receiving many welcoming hugs, I shared a few chuckles with those surprised by my height. It was funny to imagine how the head-and-shoulders frame on Zoom can sometimes influence how we perceive others. 

What an incredible event it was! From the wide spread of development sessions to the networking and sightseeing opportunities, I was highly encouraged by the insight shared throughout the week. Having been declared one of the B Hive Champions for my activity on the B Hive platform, a curated space where Certified B Corporations can collaborate and share ideas, I proudly touted my designated sash every day of the Retreat. The sash facilitated my connecting with as many individuals as possible, as I was often approached out of curiosity for what it meant or as a part of filling out the B Hive Bingo Board, a fun way to win prizes.

One of the most valuable benefits of the Community is the enthusiasm companies and individuals have in supporting each other, and that was evident in the concerted effort made for collaborative programming. It was a tangible reminder of the Declaration of Interdependence all companies sign when finalizing their B Certification. If we all depend on one another to champion business being used as a force for good, why not support each other on that mission?

Photo: B Lab U.S. & Canada

BIPOC Businesses in the Movement: Rarified (and Stale) Air
The part of the week that resonated with me the most was the BIPOC Happy Hour, held at the beautiful And-Co coworking space in downtown Vancouver. This event was groundbreaking. In my remarks to the audience, I mentioned that I had never seen this community all gathered in one place. In fact, before this happy hour I hadn’t seen many of us at all.

The truth of the matter is that, in the Community of Certified B Corporations, we’re scarce. Jorge Fontanez, CEO of B Lab U.S. & Canada, noted that less than 10% of Certified B Corporations in the United States and Canada are owned by individuals who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color. Yet, as I looked around the room during the happy hour, for a brief moment I was overtaken by the sensation that we were an expansive element of the Community. That fleeting sensation left much to be desired.

Photo: Silvia Laserna

As a Black man in a white movement supporting companies to become Certified B Corporations, I recognize the rarified air that I breathe. I find myself in a pivotal position to champion B Lab’s mission, to use business as a force for good, in a way few others can. This mission guides how I frame my everyday life as a business owner, whether through intentionality in the supply chain or targeted charitable giving, for example. For me, living this mission daily means that we cannot continue to see the blunt disparities that persist in the Community today, including the low representation of BIPOC-owned companies.

From the beginning, my company, Enharmonic Encounters, has made clear that its commitment is to serve purpose-driven and BIPOC-owned companies. One way the company honors this commitment is through deliberate participation in B Lab U.S. & Canada’s Level program—a direct initiative to address disparities in representation among companies owned by individuals who are Black, Indigenous, or Persons of Color and women. Enharmonic Encounters is proud to be the newest consulting partner in this program as it enters its third iteration.

On the Move Now
While the air I breathe may be rarified for now, I sense a new gust of wind on the way. That’s why I’m privileged to serve the Community in the multitude of ways that I do today. Whether through my work in Level or the BIPOC Network, I want to see the number of BIPOC-owned companies swell, well beyond where they are today.

Reflecting on my first Champions Retreat, it was nothing short of memorable and I thank everyone who was a part of it. I was honored to be one of your B Hive Champions and I can’t wait to see everyone again in Milwaukee in 2026, if not sooner. In the meantime, I hope we can maintain our connection and continue to nurture the incredible synergy within the Community.

Photo: BIPOC Network Leaders