Best of 2024: Resources and Highlights to Help B Corps Lead with Purpose

Celebrating Progress, Innovation, and Collective Action Among U.S. and Canadian B Corps

B The Change rounded up some of this year’s resources, highlights, and business examples that reflect the progress, connections, and impact made by the B Corp community. You’ll find the most valuable milestones of the year that also provide a path forward for continued learning, inspiration, and collaboration.

While each B Corp is unique, together they share a goal of creating more resilient businesses and shaping a more inclusive and regenerative economy. That unified mission remains a vital strength for B Corps, as B Lab U.S. & Canada CEO Jorge Fontanez said during his Champions Retreat 2024 message:

“We are entering an era when I believe individualism will fail. Only when we act in community will we see change. Being an advocate for change … will require us to keep our hearts open, to work on letting go of our biases … to change how we think. Because we have deeply held beliefs that require us to revisit how we think, act, and work.”

The theme of community runs throughout the events, programs, and business innovations below that help advance a stakeholder-driven economy, climate justice, and racial equity. Find ideas to inspire continued impact in the new year below! 

Gathering and Learning Together for a Stakeholder-Driven Economy

Events, programs, and courses provide knowledge to help B Corps create value for their stakeholders. They also empower business leaders to make responsible and sustainable decisions that consider the impact they have on stakeholders equally with financial value creation. This happens through internal practices and external advocacy for policies that reshape systems. 

Coming Together As Champions for Collective Action: More than 700 people in the U.S. and Canadian B Corp community gathered in March for Champions Retreat 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. The conference included outdoor events, interactive sessions, and time for networking for attendees from more than 320 B Corps and 440 organizations. 

Innovating and Learning at BLD Events: B Corp community members also had the opportunity to connect and learn at two B Leadership Development events: BLD Southeast in Atlanta, Georgia and BLD PNW in Portland, Oregon. The BLD framework provides B Corps and partners an opportunity to explore ways to build more inclusive, resilient companies and share lessons of success and frustration. As Miren Oca of B Corp Ocaquatics Swim School said in a breakout session on evolving businesses: “We’ve done a lot of firsts, and it’s really hard to go first all of the time.”

Getting the Basics with B Corp 101: This online primer on B Corp Certification is designed for new team members at current B Corps, workers at incoming B Corps, and others looking for a refresher. More than 250 people enrolled in 2024 to learn more about topics including the past and future of the B Corp movement. Join them now and find resources to strengthen your B Corp savvy!  

Exploring New Opportunities for Impact Improvement: B Corps in the Impact Improvement Program explored topics related to the systemic and organizational change needed for a more inclusive economy. These include open hiring practices, inclusivity in organizational leadership, board diversity, living wage analysis, and wealth-building benefits. This year’s participants included Lisa Geason-Bauer of B Corp Evolution Marketing, who said: “Doing this work successfully takes time, effort, and energy. It is not a one-and-done. Be patient, allocate resources, and listen to your stakeholders (i.e. employees) when you are beginning this work.” Apply for the 2025 program now. 

Find additional business examples and resources for a stakeholder-driven economy.

Putting Finances and Practices to Work for Climate Action and Justice

As companies that are pursuing a more inclusive and regenerative economy, B Corps can move the needle on climate justice and create a path forward for other businesses of all sizes. Through information shared in resources and at events, B Corps are shaping strategies for climate action. 

Sharing Climate Justice Best Practices: A new set of climate justice case studies from B Lab U.S. & Canada and B Corp Measure Meant builds on initial information shared in 2023. Leaders from three B Corps share how they are making changes — in their supply chains, products, and more — to center the needs and perspectives of people and communities most affected by climate change. Their actions include evaluating corporate spending, measuring supplier emissions, and supporting the transition to regenerative farming.  

A Business Guide to Advancing Climate Justice: Released in April, this resource is designed for business leaders, changemakers, and others committed to centering equity and justice in their climate action efforts. The guide was created in partnership with Forum for the Future, B Lab Global, and B Lab U.S. & Canada. Business leaders can find actionable steps related to their operations, policies, finances, products and services, and other areas to advance climate justice and begin to foster community resilience.

Unveiling New Resources at Climate Week NYC: Climate Week NYC served as the springboard for a resource to help B Corps and other businesses address climate and justice through the financial institutions they choose to work with. With both educational resources and actionable guidance from the guide, B Corps can better align their banking, retirement, and insurance choices with their organizational values. “We are building a community of practice to empower B Corps to take on the challenging task of moving their money with intention,” said Raj Agarwal, CEO of B Corp Provoc and a strategic advisor to B Lab U.S. & Canada’s Climate Justice Program. “By fostering community and offering diverse ways to find support, we create spaces for refuge from the work. Our opportunity is clear: to provide all that is necessary to stop funding fossil fuels.”

Find additional business examples and resources for climate action and climate justice.

Expanding the B Corp Community’s Work for Racial Equity and Inclusion

Using business as a force for good means shifting economic systems so they meet the needs of all people. Striving for racial equity, inclusion, and justice in business includes scaling practices and public policies that advance climate justice and racial equity and create a just economy for all. To advance this work, B Lab U.S. & Canada offers programs and resources to B Corps and other organizations.

Leveling Up for the Fourth Year: The Level program from B Lab U.S. & Canada partners with business leaders who are Black, Indigenous, or other People of Color and identify as women as they build companies that benefit people and the planet. The Level leaders and colleagues also bring new perspectives and ideas to the B Corp community. Over four years, 44 women have gone through the program and 23 have certified their companies as B Corps; 11 have started their recertification journey. Applications for 2025 are now open! 

In 2024, the Level program included 15 companies from a range of industries and locations in the U.S. and Canada:

• 5 Women of Color Creating Unique Products with Purpose
• 5 Women of Color Innovating in the Fashion Industry
• 5 Women of Color Leading Companies That Center Community

Exploring How History Shapes Society in Learning Journey 2.0: The second in a series of Learning Journeys provides the B Corp community with tools, education, and support to galvanize around racial equity and climate justice. The 2024 program included 39 participants who explored topics including the history of race and racism; how both play out across all aspects of our society today; and self-reflection on how they play out, consciously and unconsciously, in ourselves and our relationships. 

Find additional business examples and resources for justice, equity, and inclusion.