A Time for Action
Robert F. Smith told me something a few months ago that stuck: The coronavirus, he said, had in some ways been “a blessing.” Specifically, it had forced upon everyone in America time to slow down, to listen, to think.
That helped explain the countrywide urgency following George Floyd’s killing and other racial injustices: Given this unrequested gift of time, millions of Americans could see the obvious in ways they previously couldn’t. National reflection spurred national action.
Progress requires that business play a leading role. Examples abound on our fourth annual Just 100 list
(page 63), which shows that even big-box retailers like Target (page 61) have embraced the benefits of the proverbial rising tide that lifts all boats.
As a voice for progress throughout our history,
Forbes is also taking action. Our qualitative curated packages, such as the 30 Under 30, look like America. To supplement our quantitative “counting” lists that don’t, we’ve created entirely new franchises, most notably the Self-Made Women package (page 112),
which has become an annual reader favorite.
Heading into 2021, we’re committed to doing more. First, we’re going to expand the scope of our coverage itself. Forbes is synonymous with success, and we’re increasingly going to highlight those who are on their way: The Next 1000. (Nominations are now open at forbes.com/next-1000-nominations.) We’ll devote an issue to Inclusive Capitalism that will focus on systemic change—an extension of our call for a Greater Capitalism to generate permanent solutions to seemingly intractable inequities. And we’re bolstering For(bes) the Culture, the grassroots Black and Brown community that emerged from the 30 Under 30 family. More staff and more content, serving thousands of members of what’s becoming the preeminent professional community of its kind.
What I love about all these initiatives is that they’re authentic to Forbes and what we stand for. Political gridlock and dysfunction underscore the need for all of us to hold ourselves to a higher standard, identify positive action right now—and then execute.