At the International Women’s Day Forum, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Carolyn Cawley and Synchrony's Margaret Keane discussed how businesses must create an inclusive recovery. Ensuring equal opportunity to succeed is essential as we rebuild our economy – and keeping women in the workforce is a key driver. The choices companies make today will impact our nation’s progress toward closing the economic inequality gap for decades to come. 

The U.S. Chamber Foundation conducted a series of interviews featuring Coalition to Back Black Businesses (CBBB) grantees and their stories. We heard from Black small business owners on how the CBBB grant helped them, the impact of the pandemic on small businesses, and what Black business owners need during this challenging time.

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged every aspect of our daily lives and countless individuals and families around the world have—and continue to—suffer because of it. On January 18, we will honor the Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service, remembering those who fight for equality and dedicate themselves to making the world a better place. Given the events of 2020 through today, the National Day of Service reminds us that it’s more important than ever to give back and lift up our communities.

We sat down with business leaders driving the global corporate response to COVID-19 to learn more about their efforts, how they are navigating this uncharted territory, and what advice they have for others.