This Week in ESG and Impact Investing

  The recent Supreme Court decision curtailing affirmative action in college admissions not only exposes the real impact of ethical transgressions but also highlights a deeper problem rooted in racism, greed, and the insidious legacy of colonialism. This decision serves as an indictment of a court that is supposed to uphold justice but instead perpetuates the status quo, reinforcing systemic inequalities that plague our society and move us away from equity. At the heart of this matter lies the corrosive influence of white supremacy. Affirmative action was designed to address the historical injustices inflicted upon marginalized communities, particularly people of color who have long suffered the consequences of discrimination and limited opportunities. By dismantling these programs, the Supreme Court sends a distressing message that the voices and struggles of these communities are inconsequential in the pursuit of a fair and just society. The court's decision also underscores the

  Black Businesses Projected To See $1B In Loans  From The Small Business Administration - https://www.blackenterprise.com/analysis-sba-projected-to-supply-black-businesses-1-billion-in-loans-this-year/  

             A recent  Washington Post Live interview focused on climate governance and corporate sustainability in Mexico, highlighting the efforts of 3M Latin America and ChapterZero Mexico. Host Kathleen Koch facilitated the discussion with Jana Nieto from 3M and Jimena Marván from Chapter Zero Mexico. Jana Nieto discussed 3M's sustainability strategy, which revolves around a science-based approach and ESG-specific goals. She emphasized 3M's commitment to sustainability across its entire business model, incorporating sustainability considerations into decision-making processes. Nieto highlighted specific steps taken by 3M to improve its carbon footprint, including adopting solar panels in manufacturing facilities, using electric and hybrid cars for transportation, and promoting sustainability among suppliers. Jimena Marván provided insights into Chapter Zero Mexico's role in promoting climate governance among board members in the country. She discussed the need to c

A groundbreaking new study reveals a remarkable increase in SBA 7(a) loans, both in count and total value, to Black or African American entrepreneurs from 2017 to 2023. The data underlines significant strides in fostering greater small business lending equity. We predict 7(a) lending to African American firms will reach $1 billion in 2023, up from $599 million in 2017. In 2017, a modest 3.86% of SBA 7(a) loans were disbursed to Black business owners. By 2023, this figure had surged to an encouraging 7.76%. In parallel, the percentage of total loan value received by Black entrepreneurs climbed from 2.36% to 4.41% over the same period. "We are heartened by these findings," says William Michael Cunningham, CEO of Creative Investment Research, "which signal the tangible progress we've been striving for. However, they also underscore the critical work that remains in order to achieve true equity in small business financing." While the study's results clearly ill

The May, 2023 Consumer Price Index (CPI) report revealed a 4% inflation rate, half of last year's peak. This reflects a masterful handling of a tough economic situation by the Federal Reserve (the Fed). While inflation remains above the 2% level desired by the central bank, the decrease indicates progress in bringing inflation under control. The Fed, under Jerome H. Powell, implemented a rigorous campaign to curtail inflation, including a series of ten consecutive interest rate hikes over 15 months. Following this aggressive strategy, at yesterday's FOMC meeting, the Fed decided to leave interest rates unchanged, pausing to assess the impact of its actions on the economy. Even though the targeted federal funds rates remained in the 5 to 5.25 percent range, we expect at least two additional hikes by the end of 2023, moving the upper limit of fed funds to 5.6 percent. Powell emphasized that despite this pause, the central bank released updated economic forecasts predicting an end

 지난 6월 8일 워싱턴 포스트는 한국의 조윤제 대사와 윤선진 교수가 참석한 기후 변화에 대한 토론을 조직했습니다. 이 행사는 세계적인 협력, 중국의 역할, 한국의 도전, 개인적이고 집단적인 행동, 그리고 혁신을 통한 낙관주의를 포함하여 기후 변화의 다양한 측면을 강조했습니다. 참가자들은 지역 및 국제적인 협력의 필요성, 재생 에너지에 대한 중국의 노력의 중요성, 한국의 낮은 재생 전기 점유율, 개별 행동의 중요성, 그리고 기후 변화에 대처하는 기술과 혁신의 역할에 대해 논의했습니다. 기후 변화는 즉각적인 관심과 행동을 필요로 하는 중요한 문제입니다. 다른 많은 나라들과 마찬가지로, 한국은 지속 가능한 미래로 전환하는 데 있어 독특한 도전에 직면해 있습니다. 국가 전력 믹스에서 재생 에너지가 차지하는 비율이 낮다는 점이 우려되며, 이는 시급한 정책 변화와 재생 기술에 대한 투자 증가를 요구합니다. 한국의 기후변화에 대한 대중의 인식이 상대적으로 높은 것은 고무적이지만, 인식만으로는 충분하지 않습니다. 이러한 인식을 에너지 효율적인 관행 채택, 재생 에너지 기업 지원, 정책 입안자들에게 기후 친화적인 정책을 시행하도록 압력을 가하는 것과 같은 구체적인 행동으로 전환하는 것이 개인에게 중요합니다 기후 변화에 대처하기 위해서는 세계적인 협력이 필수적이며, 중국과 같은 국가들은 이 노력에서 중요한 역할을 합니다. 중국의 많은 인구, 경제 성장 및 대기 오염에 대한 경험은 재생 에너지에 투자하고 온실 가스 배출을 줄일 수 있는 귀중한 교훈과 인센티브를 제공합니다. 기후변화를 포괄적으로 해결하기 위해서는 중국 등과의 협력이 필요합니다. 토론에서 강조했듯이, 오존층 파괴에 대한 한국의 성공적인 대응은 한국의 혁신과 적응 능력을 보여줍니다. 이러한 경험을 바탕으로, 한국은 기후 변화로 인한 도전에 대한 지속 가능한 해결책을 개발하기 위해 기술과 혁신에 지속적으로 투자하는 것이 중요합니다. 결론적으로, 기후 변화는 모든 수준에서 집단적인 행동을 필요로 하는 세계적인 위기입니다

  On June 8, the Washington Post organized a discussion on climate change attended by South Korean Ambassador Cho Yoon-je and Professor Yoon Sun-jin. The event highlighted various aspects of climate change, including global cooperation, China's role, Korea's challenge, personal and collective action, and optimism through innovation. Participants discussed the need for regional and international cooperation, the importance of China's efforts on renewable energy, Korea's low share of renewable electricity, the importance of individual actions, and the role of technology and innovation in tackling climate change. Climate change is an important issue that requires immediate attention and action. Like many other countries, Korea faces unique challenges in transitioning to a sustainable future. The low share of renewable energy in the national power mix is feared, which calls for urgent policy changes and increased investment in renewable technologies. It is encouraging that

In light of the SEC lawsuits against Coinbase and Binance , a critical question arises: How will these regulatory actions impact the Black community, and other marginalized people who benefited from cryptocurrency? This is an especially pertinent concern given the tremendous potential of cryptocurrency to drive economic empowerment and bridge the wealth gap. Consider the wealth generating potential of Bitcoin, the most recognized cryptocurrency. In 2015, when Bitcoin was valued at approximately $400, we suggested using it to finance Black women-owned businesses, as depicted in this video. https://youtu.be/5TO0rJe0hKM   Those who did their own research and followed our suggestion created a new financial avenue, enabling these entrepreneurs to bypass traditionally discriminatory banking entities and access much-needed capital. Bitcoin’s value increased rapidly from 2015 ($400) to 2018, when, at one point, it reached $6,000. This type of growth can help finance a business. Similarly, in

In the wake of the lawsuits filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against cryptocurrency exchanges Coinbase and Binance, it's time to refocus the conversation on the transformative potential of cryptocurrency, particularly in its capacity as a form of money that transcends traditional limitations. The conventional functions of money are widely acknowledged as: a medium of exchange, a unit of account and a store of value. But cryptocurrency underscores a less-discussed fourth function: a means of social control, an ability to set the rules of economic interactions. Unlike government-issued fiat money, cryptocurrency is a democratic financial instrument that exists outside the control of traditional central banking systems. Cryptocurrency, by its decentralized nature, pushes back against the centralized control and regulation associated with traditional money. In doing so, it raises important questions about financial sovereignty and monetary policy. It forces a discu

At Creative Investment Research, we are dedicated to supporting individuals and businesses in their pursuit of sustainable investments and corporate excellence. We are thrilled to connect with you and share valuable resources that can accelerate your journey towards achieving your investment objectives while promoting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) best practices. We understand the importance of staying informed and having access to reliable research and insights. That's why we have partnered with Research and Markets, a leading provider of industry reports and analysis, to bring you a selection of highly recommended reports: The Global Inflection Point Index (May 2023) Federal Agency Equity Action Plans (May 2023) Seaweed Farming as Community Development (May 2023) Blockchain, Cryptocurrency and the Future of Monetary Policy (May 2023) Creating New Investing Vehicles to Reduce the Black/White Wealth Gap (April 2023) Corporate Pledges in Support of Black Lives Matter (

  In the wake of the lawsuits filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against cryptocurrency exchanges Coinbase and Binance , it's time to refocus the conversation on the transformative potential of cryptocurrency, particularly in its capacity as a form of money that transcends traditional limitations. The conventional functions of money are widely acknowledged as: a medium of exchange, a unit of account, and a store of value. But cryptocurrency underscores a less-discussed fourth function: a means of social control, an ability to set the rules of economic interactions. It's a democratic financial instrument that exists outside the control of traditional central banking systems. Cryptocurrency, by its decentralized nature, pushes back against the centralized control and regulation associated with traditional money. In doing so, it raises important questions about financial sovereignty and monetary policy. It forces a discussion about who should have control ov

The May, 2023 jobs report paints an optimistic picture of the U.S. economy, showing the addition of 339,000 jobs - a pleasant surprise for many who anticipated a slowdown. Yet, this report carries more weight than simple optimism. It plays an instrumental role in shaping the Federal Reserve's decision-making process, particularly whether to resort to an old lever: raising interest rates. Traditionally, the Federal Reserve has employed interest rate increases as a tool to manage inflation. The underlying principle is relatively straightforward: raising interest rates slows borrowing and spending, thereby tempering the labor market and reigning in price increases. However, such an approach also increases unemployment. Given increasing social volatility and our precarious cultural  position, we must question the efficacy of this strategy in our evolving economic landscape. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic continues to transform our world, including the economy, in profound ways. A