This Black History Month, Ariel Investments has produced a conversation series on a broad spectrum of issues surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion in Corporate America.
As the first Black-owned investment firm in the United States, we have seen overwhelming evidence that inclusive leadership, workforces, products and vendors drive better outcomes for all stakeholders. Companies must go beyond broad DE&I commitments, announcements or pronouncements. In order to be successful, corporate management teams must measure DE&I output as they would any other strategic priority.
So how do we assess the impact of diversity, equity, and inclusion goals? At Ariel, we push ourselves, our clients and our portfolio companies to use a proprietary framework called: “The Three Ps”: People, Purchasing, and Philanthropy.
Each episode of this conversation series focuses on these themes, bringing specific calls-to-action for companies and individuals alike. Please feel free to listen in or read takeaways from each discussion:
- Philanthropy: The truth about manager diversity at foundations and endowments
In conversation with: The Columbia Investment Management Company President and CEO Kim Lew, Knight Foundation CFO and Treasurer Juan Martinez and Ariel Investments Chairman & Co-CEO John W. Rogers, Jr. - The Scale Challenge: Why Black-owned businesses need both capital and customers to fuel Fortune 500 business diversity
In conversation with: Ariel Alternatives Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO Les Brun, Salesforce Chief Procurement Officer Craig Cuffie and Billion Dollar Roundtable Chairman Shelley Stewart. - Adding Rigor to the Rhetoric: Why measurement and accountability are needed to achieve diversity at all levels of an organization, from the rank-and-file to the C-Suite
In conversation with: Wharton School Professor Stephanie Creary, Ariel Investments Chairman & Co-CEO John W. Rogers, Jr. and Nielsen Chief Diversity Officer Sandra Sims-Williams.
About Ariel Investments
Ariel Investments, LLC is a global value-based asset management firm founded in 1983. Ariel is headquartered in Chicago, with offices in New York City, San Francisco, and Sydney. As of December 31, 2021, Ariel’s firm-wide assets under management totaled approximately $18.3 billion, which includes $873.7 million in assets from Ariel Alternatives, a subsidiary of Ariel Investments. Ariel serves individual and institutional investors through five no-load mutual funds and nine separate account strategies. For more information, please visit Ariel’s website at arielinvestments.com.
Media Contact
Christina Sciarrino
csciarrino@arielinvestments.com