The thing about social change is that it impacts everyone.

Catharine recounts the anxiety of going to work knowing that she would likely be accused of being labeled the stereotypical angry, Black woman. Lena was concerned that the color of her skin or her gender would mean she had to work 60+ hours a week because she had to prove herself “worthy” of the job, when compared to her white, male counterparts.

Social change is a complex and emotional process that affects everyone, but it is essential for building a better future. For years, we’ve had the vision of using our communications efforts to change hearts, minds and systems to build a better future. We’ve listened to potential clients. We’ve read articles on trends in social impact. We’ve heard stories of injustices. And, while each story is personal and unique, so many of them have a common thread…limited authentic change, agonizing stagnation and continuous frustration. If equality for all is one of the most important aspects of advancing society and living the values we espouse, why is a commitment to positive societal change so hard to continuously implement?

Yes, social change is emotional, difficult and frustrating. Authentic change relies on organizations invoking intent that focuses on blending our differences in backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. If we’ve learned anything through our personal experiences, research and listening to the needs of communities is that we are ready for change. Consumers, in particular, are ready for change and whether organizations are ready or not, consumers are going to hold them accountable. The time has come for communities and organizations to partner together and identify, integrate, and improve efforts to achieve equality for all.

Over decades and decades, communities have done a herculean job in fighting for rights for all. They have tirelessly fought for rights while rarely being acknowledged for their work. Now it’s time for communities and organizations to partner together to make an impact. We must identify, integrate and improve. Identify the need, integrate the support and improve the impact.

Together, we can make meaningful change.

Since 2020, we’ve heard the promises, and we’ve read the commitments to social change to protect Black people as well as other underserved communities. Organizations responded to the injustices in record speed, but if something brings in a ton of money, yet fails to increase equity and justice in the short or long run, or actually decreases it, then it is not ‘working.’ We need to find solutions that move commitments forward, so those solutions drive measurable change.

At Better Together, we believe in the potential for an authentic, compassionate, and respectful world. We will work together to create actionable solutions, catalyze policies to end systemic racism, and tell just stories that dismantle harmful narratives. We invite you to join us in our journey toward a more equal, more connected world where following through on commitments is possible.

We hope you’ll follow our journey.

Catharine Montgomery + the Better Together team