Empathy Is Our Strength Edition

Working in the social impact world has never been for the faint of heart, but the last 30 days have certainly been a test for our spirits and our fortitude. Things became even more heightened this week when our client, Alight, received termination letters for their largest programs in Sudan, Somalia and South Sudan.

Alight told us that there would be an immediate impact felt by 2,100,000 people in Sudan, 700,000?people in Somalia and 45,000 in South Sudan. They will have to close 6 stabilization centers in Sudan soon. These centers keep children under 5 alive and if they close, they are at risk of death within hours of therapy ending.

Although Alight had not received payment from the U.S. government since January 20th, the organization made a strategic decision to continue their lifesaving services in Sudan and Somalia over the past 5 weeks based on a very conservative definition of the life-saving waiver that was announced by U.S. Secretary of State on January 28, 2025. Yesterday’s contract terminations means that the life-saving waiver no longer applies.

As their communications advisor, we are doing everything we can to help get the word out far and wide. And like Alight, there are thousands of other critical NGOs saving lives, providing disaster relief, medicine delivery and more which now face complete closure. The effects will be devastating.

This is a moment to ask yourself. What can you do? How can you help?

As always,

Susan

Brought to you this week by New York City-based Account Executive, Jasper Conacher, who will be attending SXSW 2025 in Austin, Texas next week!

In Defense of Diversity

Amid political pressure, companies are rolling back their diversity initiatives in an effort to avoid retribution from the administration and its supporters. These rollbacks are spilling over into multicultural marketing, a strategy marketers call business-critical for reaching companies’ full consumer base. However, scaling back diversity efforts comes at a cost: Four in 10 Americans are shifting their spending to align with their values, tying corporate political decisions to consumer sentiment. Investors are also weighing in – recently, 97% of Apple shareholders voted against a proposal that asserted that the company’s diversity programs make shareholders vulnerable to litigation and financial risk. This overwhelming rejection reinforces that diversity remains a priority for many stakeholders.

The Filtered Press

The Trump administration has stated that they will determine which news outlets will cover President Trump, rather than the White House Correspondents’ Association as is typical. By favoring outlets sympathetic to the Trump administration and targeting outlets like The Associated Press and MSNBC, the administration’s selections limit freedom of the press and undermine the essential accountability of the presidency to peer-determined journalists. This news, combined with Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos’ announcement that the publication will solely publish op-eds that “defend free markets and personal liberties,” indicates an attempt to limit dissent and control the mainstream media narrative around the current administration.

Stand With Ukraine

On Monday, the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine, the United States sided with Russia against a Ukraine-introduced U.N. General Assembly resolution. This move not only signals changing geopolitical alliances but also raises concerns about the U.S.’s commitment to democratic values and sovereignty. As the war continues with devastating consequences, values-driven messaging is critical in pushing against policies that undermine democracy and embolden authoritarian regimes. Employers can support the 270,000 Ukrainian refugees in the United States by adopting inclusive hiring practices, as outlined in the employer resources developed by Upwardly Global, a McPherson client.

Media:

• McPherson client Common Sense Media’s recent report highlights how digital media habits for kids age 8 and under are evolving.?
• Is DEI a change management issue? This article argues that DEI programs are culture change initiatives that require ongoing commitment to build employee buy-in and support.

Business:

• McPherson clients HP and Ford Philanthropy were highlighted for how they embed impact in their business in a recent Forbes article, “3 Ways Business Leaders Can Blend Profit With Purpose.”?
• The Sorenson Impact Institute is hosting a virtual convening, Empowering the Next Generation of Changemakers: Students, Impact, and Social Change, to explore how the combined power of education and business can drive positive change.

Philanthropy:

• The U.S. foreign aid freeze has highlighted the vulnerability of global organizations that are dependent on the U.S. government policies and major foundations.
• 63% of nonprofit communications professionals fear government retaliation or loss of funding for their advocacy under the administration, according to a survey by The Communications Network.?

Culture:

• TIME announced its 2025 Women of the Year, including 14-year-old Avery Colvert, who founded a recovery fund for teenage victims of the Los Angeles fires, and Amanda Zurawski, who has become an abortion activist after a near-death experience due to the Texas abortion ban.??
• During lifelong activist Jane Fonda’s Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award acceptance speech, she galvanized us to resist injustice and “make no mistake, empathy is not weak or woke.”?

Attending SXSW 2025? Join our McPherson Strategies team and clients in Austin:?

• Getting Closer: Social Entrepreneur & Funder Mixer hosted by New Profit on March 5th at 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.?
• Making the Economic Case for Workforce Access for Immigrants featuring Jina Krause-Vilmar, President and CEO of Upwardly Global on March 6th at 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.?
• United Through Play: Coalitions for Sport Equity presented by Nike on March 7th at 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.??
• The Antidote to a Divided America moderated by McPherson Strategies Founder and CEO, Susan McPherson and featuring Tulaine Montgomery, CEO, New Profit and Shannon Watts, Founder Emeritus, Moms Demand Action on March 8th at 11:30 - 12:30 p.m.
• Co-Creating Joy: Art Uplifting Displaced Communities featuring Joyce Kim, Marketing and Communications Director at Alight on March 11th at 11:30 - 12:30 p.m.

Connecting with Samantha Tweedy

The latest edition of our CONNECTED newsletter features Samantha Tweedy, an accomplished executive and strategist who has spent two decades working to increase economic mobility and opportunity. Samantha is currently the CEO of the Black Economic Alliance (BEA), a nonpartisan coalition of business leaders committed to expanding work, wages, and wealth for the Black community. Previously, Samantha was the Chief Partnerships and Impact Officer at Robin Hood, where she developed the Power Fund to invest in nonprofit leaders of color and served as the first Chief Advancement Officer at Uncommon Schools. Samantha encourages us to project the desire to be challenged, as it will attract people who value inclusiveness and lead us to become better leaders, friends, and members of our communities. Don’t miss future editions of CONNECTED—subscribe now to stay inspired by changemakers and thought leaders.

• EMILYs List, the largest resource for women in politics, is hiring a Chief Communications Officer based in Washington D.C.?
• If you’re interested in changing unjust systems, Freedom Together Foundation is looking for a Vice President, External Affairs to join their New York team.