This Week in ESG and Impact Investing

The Emerging Managers Summit, to be held virtually on September 24th, highlights the benefits and opportunities for institutional and private wealth investors to invest in new, small, diverse, women owned, emerging, and boutique fund managers. The program seeks bring smaller diverse managers into the limelight as they have historically outperformed their larger peers. This event will take place entirely on Opal Group’s custom Virtual Event Platform, giving an opportunity for delegates from around the world to connect online. Key decision makers from family offices, endowments, foundations, and pension funds will be able to virtually interact with emerging managers, as well as share best practice ideas with peers. Hear from our panel of experts to stay up to date on the ever-changing emerging manager market. https://opalgroup.net/conference/emerging-managers-summit-virtual-2020/

On June 23, 2020, "the U.S. Department of Labor proposed a rule that would 'update and clarify' the Department of Labor's investment duties regulation. According to the news release issued announcing this proposed rule,

"Private employer-sponsored retirement plans are not vehicles for furthering social goals or policy objectives that are not in the financial interest of the plan," said Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia. "Rather, ERISA plans should be managed with unwavering focus on a single, very important social goal: providing for the retirement security of American workers."

Our 135 page response, filed on July 26, 2020, concerned the social impact of the proposed rule, and stated that:

"With this proposal, we believe the Administration and, by extension, the Secretary, have violated their oath to protect the public and should resign or be removed. Of course, we understand how committed these specific individuals are to self-promotion, as …

Black-Owned Broadway Financial Corporation and “Black-Led” CFBanc Corporation announced a merger of equals that may lead to the creation of the largest Black-led (but not Black-owned) bank in the U.S. The resulting institution will have more than $1 billion in combined assets and approximately $850 million in total depository institution assets (as of June 30, 2020).

(Also see: BLACK BANKS MERGE TO CREATE NATION’S FIRST BLACK-LED BANK WITH OVER $1 BILLION IN ASSETS. https://www.blackenterprise.com/black-banks-merge-to-create-nations-first-black-led-bank-with-over-1-billion-in-assets/

Black-Owned Banks in LA, DC Announce Merger.
https://mynewsla.com/business/2020/08/27/two-black-banks-merge/

Merger of two Black-led banks aims to help break a painful cycle https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-08-27/black-banks-broadway-federal-bank-city-first-merger )

Broadway is one of the best Black banking institutions in the US, based on their longevity and positive impact on Black homeowners…

Link to interview: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11yR9RGTdY5ccp5PyEhbjkRqgiKQJm34-/view?usp=sharing

MINORITY FIRMS AND  COVID2019 | KEY IMPACTS
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JLHqG9q4Hq7sep_aePzmLbiX__qnRMnU/view?usp=sharing

According to a new report issued by Creative Investment Research, as of August 3, 2020, $7.854 billion in corporate pledges have been made to facilitate efforts that support racial justice. Just six companies account for 70% of that total.

For the summary report, see: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/six-companies-account-70-corporate-black-lives-matter/
Also see: https://youtu.be/t7aqn7oGGj0 via @YouTube 
Creative Investment has launched a crowdfunding campaign to pay for the development of a BLM Corporate tracker: https://www.gofundme.com/f/tracking-corporate-donations-to-blm?rcid=r01-159828617213-f92f83fc925f4b9a&pc=tw_co_campmgmt_w&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet To donate directly, please contribute at paypal.me/cirm

During quarantine, CRUZN COZY has started a kickstarter campaign in high hopes of getting business adjusted to the new norm for all of us worldwide.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cruzncozy/the-next-big-thing-0
www.cruzncozy.com
Here at CRUZN COZY, we understand that everybody has been affected in some way by this quarantine period. Whether that be emotionally, physically, mentally, or socially. It's been hard for all us, but if you can find in your heart to give just a small token, that will be greatly appreciated. Any amount helps. No amount is too small or too big. A percentage of generated sales from merchandise or the campaign will be given to organizations who help people that are in need of shelter, food and clothes during quarantine. Any backer who gives $100 dollars or more will receive free merchandise from our new collection, and backers who give $200 or more will receive 2 VIP tickets to the SBFW New York Fashion Show Tour 2021. 
Thank you so much for your time. One …

We are pleased to be the Media Partner for Reuters' Free "Delivering Net Zero Virtual Week" (4th – 5th August 2020)
https://www.prlog.org/12832098-media-partner-for-reuters-free-delivering-net-zero-virtual-week-4th-5th-august-2020.html