In our latest podcast, one Bank of America employee tells the story of how he adopted his daughter through a specialized family planning benefit.

Like in the industries its reporters cover, the lack of Black representation in business and financial media has created blind spots. Predominantly white newsrooms often miss stories about systemic racism or fail to reach an audience of more than one demographic. In the wake of this summer's Black Lives Matter protests, there are serious implications for financial services, the reporters covering them — and an emerging group of professionals creating their own media. What can journalists like us learn from these Black voices? 

Asset and capital allocations often exacerbate systemic racism across the financial services in some surprising ways. Innovators in the fields of asset management, banking, impact investing and pensions suggest there are also many ways to disrupt the cycle. Shifting the flow of capital could help reduce or eliminate institutional barriers and racial discrimination.

The lack of Black representation in the financial services stems from two interconnected problems. Black professionals face significant hurdles once they break into the industry. And the presence of nearly 175,000 Black financial professionals displays that their widespread absence at the upper executive ranks isn’t a product of there being an insufficient talent pool. 

Racism at the branch and in the workplace makes it harder for Black Americans to gain access to financial services. In the second episode of the Access Denied podcast, innovators and researchers from the fields of human resources, banking and wealth management explain how industries leave people out — and what needs to be done to change it.

Soltan Bryce, head of growth at Plume, discusses the specific needs of transgender employees and how employers can utilize benefits to create a more inclusive and supportive work environment.

Economic insecurity, changes to work and life patterns and isolation are taking a toll on employees. How can employers help?

Employers can be a huge help to employees working to regain their economic equilibrium due to the impacts of COVID-19.

During this podcast, our industry subject-matter expert will discuss how employers can offer benefits to those who traditionally don’t qualify for employer-sponsored benefits plans, including retirees.

A great redistribution of knowledge workers is afoot, says entrepreneur and founder of Russian Exchange Bank Alex Konanykhin, CEO of TransparentBusiness, who also says the coronavirus pandemic is producing a few winners (Zoom) and a huge swath of economic losers.