Page 28 - Investment Advisor September 2021

resolve small issues, but rather an action-oriented initiative In 2021, the company expanded this program globally and
to harvest and retain Black talent. hosted international events for Asia-Pacific and European,
Middle East and Africa students. Hamilton Lane was recog-
Jim Roberts serves as CEO of Jim Roberts nized by the Private Equity Women Investor Network as
Investment Advisors LLC, the only RIA in International LP of the Year for 2020. The company also sup-
the state of Michigan certified as a minority- ports the Campus Outreach Program, Analyst Development
owned registered investment advisory com- Program, Girls Who Invest, Cristo Rey Philadelphia and SEO
pany. He serves on the board of the Michigan Alternative Investments.
Minority Supplier Diversity Council, Lakeshore Excellence
Foundation, Berrien County Pension Advisory Council and John Hancock’s MLK Scholars
West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum. In 2020, he Program sponsors the employment
was named Minority Supplier of the Year Winner by of more than 600 Boston teens at 50
Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council. He also nonprofit organizations each summer. This program empow-
spends much of his time mentoring other minorities at ers Boston teens with career readiness and financial literacy to
local businesses. help them grow as leaders in the office, classroom and greater
community. Through the program, John Hancock offers
expanded access to EVERFI — an education technology com-
PROGRAMS, PRODUCTS & SERVICES – pany — allowing Boston students from other summer job pro-
ASSET MANAGEMENT/PORTFOLIO FIRMS grams to participate in the virtual curriculum alongside MLK
Scholars. The program also benefits the nonprofit organiza-
Bailard Inc. Women make up nearly 40% of tions that employ them, as it provides the opportunity to
senior leadership across Bailard. Also, the engage Boston’s diverse student population.
independently owned company has women and minorities
together owning 49% of the company. Bailard supports a PGIM Inclusion Month,
remote internship initiative, internal diversity & inclusion train- launched in 2019, is an initia-
ing and recruiting practices, as well as corporate policies that tive with events, campaigns and resources that helps employ-
ensure accountability. One example is their open-compensation ees build the skills and mindset needed so that inclusive
policy, which has helped create an open and honest workplace. behavior becomes a “way of being.” In its first year, PGIM put
The Bailard Foundation implemented a number of initiatives in a spotlight on addressing bias, valuing uniqueness and pre-
2020, including a $500 match on any employee gifts to an orga- venting harmful micro-messages. The training focuses on
nization that seeks to address and end systematic racism and identifying unconscious bias and provides practical means for
oppression of Black, indigenous people and people of color. reducing its prevalence. The month culminates with a master
class. Additional resources are housed on a custom-built
Charles Schwab and intranet site for the next 12 months for continued employee
Ariel Investments’ lat- access and training.
est Black Investors
Study reveals several
uncomfortable truths about the financial services industry. PROGRAMS, PRODUCTS & SERVICES –
Only 35% of Black investors say they feel they are treated with BROKER-DEALERS
respect by financial institutions vs. 62% of whites. Perhaps as a
direct result, 55% of Black Americans say they don’t work with American Portfolios Financial
or don’t plan to work with a financial advisor. However, of Services launched AP for LIFE
Black Americans who do work with an advisor, 53% say they Creative Residency in 2020. The
feel they are treated with respect by financial institutions. The two-year, $200,000 funding commit-
data signals a clear and positive call to action for the industry ment initiative was established with the nonprofit organiza-
and shows how the relationships that advisors have with cli- tion LIFE Arts. The program is designed to help usher in a
ents are truly impactful. neoclassical urban renaissance to Ferguson, Missouri. The
residency offers community engagement to facilitate training
Hamilton Lane’s Undergraduate and development of young creatives and influencers. Through
Women’s Private Equity Summit, AP’s corporate social responsibility platform, the firm and
now in its fourth year, brings together university sophomores LIFE Arts engaged five “creative residents” to develop proj-
and juniors from across the United States to learn about pro- ects designed to bring hope, healing and economic recovery
fessional development, career pathing and private markets. to the region and beyond.

26 INVESTMENT ADVISOR SEPTEMBER 2021 | ThinkAdvisor.com