According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, "structural racism is the overarching system of racial bias across institutions and society. These systems give privileges to white people resulting in disadvantages to people of color," thereby imposing a cultural hierarchy among racial groups;

The Harvard Business Review explains that "[c]ompanies must confront racism at a systemic level - addressing everything from the structural and social mechanics of their own organizations to the role they place in the economy at large";

A 2020 Citigroup study found that since 2000 the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) has lost USD16 trillion as a result of discrimination against African Americans, including USD2.7 trillion lost due to pay disparities. The study also found that reversing discriminatory practices could boost U.S. GDP by USD5 trillion in the next five years;

Tema Okun, a veteran racial justice facilitator, illustrates the insidious nature of white supremacist culture by explaining that "[c]ulture is powerful precisely because it is so present and at the same time so very difficult to name or identify." Cultural racism can manifest as people of color being ignored, overly criticized, undermined, or assumed as inferior. Other manifestations can be strict cultural norms or criticisms of certain hairstyles, manners of speech, or other physical appearances;

Cultural racism can do long-term emotional and psychological damage, and research shows that employees who bring their authentic selves to work perform better and report greater job satisfaction.

Recently, a Fortune 500 company announced that it will allow natural black hairstyles and facial hair because the company wants all "employees feel comfortable, genuine and authentic";

Proponents believe that our company can advance long-term value creation through an analysis of whether and how systemic racism is embedded in company culture, policies and procedures.