Our Focus on Diversity: LEVEL

B Lab is committed to transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. B Lab and the B Corp Movement cannot credibly build an inclusive economic system without addressing the fundamental injustice, inequity and violence that disproportionately impacts Black people, Indigenous communities, and other People of Color.

In 2021, B Lab launched LEVEL, a pilot program intended to bring inclusive economic growth directly to the B Corp community. In its inaugural cohort, B Lab paired five BIPOC women-led companies with two B Corp consultancies to measure and report their social and environmental impact, and achieve B Corp Certification. IGP was honored to have been chosen as the only US firm, and is proud to have successfully stewarded the following participants through to B Corp Certification. 

• Green Heffa Farms grows medicinal plants and herbs on 15 acres of land in North Carolina — with a focus on economic empowerment, equity, environment, and education. Farmer Cee and her team aim to expand access to agriculture for underserved and under-represented farmers. Green Heffa Farms achieved B Corp Certification in late 2021.

• The Wine Noire is building a more inclusive wine industry by helping winemakers who are women and/or BIPOC get their products into the marketplace. Based in Berkeley, California, Founder and CEO Alicia Kidd helps open doors for winemakers so they can better focus on crafting great products and building their businesses. The Wine Noire achieved B Corp Certification in May of 2022.

This past April, B Lab launched LEVEL 2.0 and IGP was honored to be chosen again to work on this second and bigger iteration of the program. IGP’s 2022 LEVEL program clients are: Native Advisory, The Opt-In™, Greenwood Hayden, and WOCStar. You can find out more about the program and the incredible BIPOC women-led businesses participating here.