Every March the global B Corp community joins together to celebrate what it means to be a B Corp: meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
CK joining the ranks of these companies made sense — we were already working with mission driven clients like the Oregon Health Authority, Willamette View and Energy Trust of Oregon, so the certification validated how we were already conducting work. But in some ways, the world looks very different in 2025 than it did when we first became certified in 2018. Besides the economic challenges, many organizations are rolling back their initiatives that focus on diversity, equity and sustainability. The bar for recertification is higher now with stricter criteria and tougher questions. And while B Corp is not without its critics, we strongly believe that there’s still value in businesses coming together for the greater good. Earlier this month, we brushed shoulders with some inspiring people at a B Bash hosted by B Local PDX at Wieden+Kennedy. Despite the hardships, we remain committed to building toward a better future.
We know that the B Corp designation isn’t the end-all, be-all of good practices. But it can provide a useful foundation for goals. And that’s something that can be very powerful, especially in our current moment. We’re surrounded by politics that are trying to steer us away from ethical practices. Many people still don’t know what a B Corp even is. But as awareness increases and people continue to support equitable companies, the aim is that more businesses will recognize the benefits of working towards an inclusive and regenerative economy for all of us.
We view certification as the beginning of a process where we constantly examine how we carry ourselves and do business. And we believe in using our business to change things for the better. That means working on important public health campaigns like Rethink the Drink and End HIV Oregon, giving our team time during the workday to volunteer with their favorite organizations or even setting up a booth at a career fair to take headshots of students for their future job-hunting needs. We know the work is never really done.
Did you know that there are over 80 B Corps in the Portland metro area alone? We take a lot of pride in knowing that our city is home to a connective tissue of local businesses that are prioritizing people, planet and purpose.
