LeadBoston alum Sean Driscoll’s #StandAgainstRacism featured in MBE Magazine
When Lou Rod Cueva of MLR Artist Management launched his business in the Boston area, he noticed that he was often the only person of color at networking events. He began to realize that despite the city’s diversity, many of its business decision makers did not reflect the demographic of the city.
Despite Boston’s “firsts” around equality achievements, it simultaneously has a pervasive reputation as being rife with racism. A national survey commissioned by The Boston Globe, in 2017, found that among eight major cities, African Americans ranked Boston as least welcoming to people of color. More than half—54 percent—rated Boston as unwelcoming.
In an effort to help change this image while facilitating a conversation around eliminating racism, MLR joined several other small businesses in sponsoring Art + Small Biz for Boston Racial Equity on May 8 at Boston’s SoWa District. The event brought together a diverse group of attendees to gallery hop, with a goal of inspiring each attendee to do their part to eliminate racism. Abigail Ogilvy Gallery, A R E A, Canvas Fine Arts, Claire Carino Contemporary, and M Fine Arts Galerie donated their spaces for an evening of conversation and creative interactive activities. Proceeds from the event supported YW Boston’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women as well as their Stand Against Racism (SAR) campaign.
Art + Small Biz is the brainchild of Sean Driscoll, founder of BBSquared Consulting, a Boston-based firm committed to supporting re-entry, LGBTQ, and disability diversity. Driscoll started his #STAND event three years ago out of a belief that a company’s business model should include community commitment. Stand Against Racism is an annual YWCA campaign that brings people together from all walks of life to raise awareness and empower action toward eliminating racism. Driscoll first became involved with YW Boston through their inclusive leadership program, LeadBoston.
“I have a strong spirit in wanting to play in the community arena, and in helping other small business peers understand how they can, too. We may be smaller, but it doesn’t mean we can’t be community players,” Driscoll states.
This article originally appeared in the 35th Anniversary Issue of Minority Business Entrepreneur Magazine. Click here to read the full version.
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