The Power of Collective Action: Why Progress Requires Strong Allies

Throughout history, change and progress have come as a result of people standing together with a shared vision and a commitment to making a difference. Collective action is what drives real, lasting impact in any industry, field or society.

The Strength in Unity

When people, businesses and communities align their efforts, they can overcome challenges that would be insurmountable alone. The Civil Rights Movement succeeded not because of a single leader, but because of the millions of people who stood together, marching, organizing and demanding change. Similarly, economic empowerment within communities won’t come from one program or one leader but from coalitions that unite businesses, policymakers and educators toward a common goal.

A great example of this principle in action is the 1955-1956 Montgomery Bus Boycott. After Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to sit in the back of a bus on segregated public transportation in Montgomery, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. helped organize a year-long boycott of the city’s bus system. It was a coalition of primarily Black residents of Montgomery, many of whom relied on these buses, who came together and held firm, walking or biking long distances and organizing carpools to sustain the boycott.

The boycott worked because people, businesses, and local institutions, like churches, worked together toward a common goal — desegregating public buses.

Businesses have a unique position in driving social change. With resources, influence and networks, they can help shape the future in meaningful ways, and the most forward-thinking businesses understand that their success is tied to the health and prosperity of the communities they serve. In Montgomery, local businesses came together to support the bus boycott, playing a crucial role in ensuring people had alternative forms of transportation and the resources they needed to make it work. Corporate leaders today can follow their example, being intentional about forming partnerships that drive social progress.

Education as a Collective Responsibility

Education has always been a powerful tool for advancement. But access to quality education — particularly in STEM fields — has historically been uneven. The solution is about much more than funding more scholarships or hiring more teachers, and it requires a collective effort.

That’s why I decided to eliminate the student debt of the entire graduating class of Morehouse College in 2019 with just a single request in return: pay it forward. And they already are: there are so many students already working on businesses, initiatives, and programs aimed at solving issues within their communities and advancing opportunity for the next generation. And, without the burden of college debt, students have more freedom in critical early life choices — they’re able to buy homes, start families or go to graduate school.

It wasn’t just a gift that made an impact. These students had to do the work — and they have. That’s why I later founded Student Freedom Initiative (SFI), which provides academic, professional and financial support to students at Historically Black Universities and Colleges (HBCUs), other Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). Thanks to the support we’ve received from corporate partners, we have been able to scale this vision to allow thousands of students to further their education and, one day, give back to their own communities.

How You Can Be Part of the Movement

You don’t have to be a CEO or a policymaker to contribute to collective action. Progress requires participation at every level. Here are a few ways to get involved:

• Support Local Initiatives: Whether mentoring young entrepreneurs, volunteering at educational programs or supporting local businesses, small actions can add up.
• Advocate for Policy Changes: Many critical issues in education, healthcare and business require policy action. Support leaders and legislation that promote opportunity.
• Leverage Your Network: If you have access to resources, funding or opportunities, think about how you can engage them to uplift others.

The Future Depends on Us

History has demonstrated that collective action is the key to progress. Whether we’re talking about improving education or creating more opportunities in the workforce, the work ahead is bigger than any one person or organization. It requires strong allies, bold ideas and a commitment to working together.

If we want to build a future where everyone has a fair shot at success, we must invest in partnerships, strengthen our communities and recognize that progress is a team effort. Because when we move together, we move forward.