'Artivist' and speaker on diversity and inclusion topics, Jamal has enriched his skill set with a Master's degree in Cinema from La Sorbonne and DEI training at Brown University. Graduating with a Master's in Management, Business, and Marketing from ESSEC, Jamal became a screenwriter and filmmaker, and later the voice behind JINS, the first podcast on love, sexuality, and gender in Arab and/or Muslim contexts. The podcast has already surpassed 450,000 unique listens and has built a community of 30,000 subscribers in France, the USA, and the Arab world.

E.S.B.: What is your background, and what led you to be interested in the topic of CSR?

J.O: My background is marked by a rich blend of cultures and identities. Born of the union between France and Morocco, I have always lived between two worlds, which has allowed me to understand the value of diversity and the importance of inclusion from an early age. This cultural duality, far from being a constraint, has become a strength, offering me a unique perspective on the world. After starting my career in advertising agencies, I quickly became aware of the limitations of these environments in terms of representing and including minorities. My passion for social change led me towards cinema and content creation that challenges stereotypes, culminating in the creation of JINS, the first podcast dedicated to the sexuality of Arab and/or Muslim individuals. My interest in CSR naturally stems from this journey, allowing me to combine my commitment to diversity and inclusion with the desire to bring about positive change in the corporate world.

E.S.B.: How does CSR manifest in your life?

J.O: In my life, CSR manifests through daily commitment to a fairer and more inclusive society. While adopting an ecofeminist approach that challenges the current capitalist-patriarchal system, I have chosen to focus more on the "S" of CSR, which involves highlighting DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion). Through my lectures at top universities (such as Cornell) or in CAC 40 companies, in my everyday cyber activism, and often in my artistic endeavors, the approach to intersectional identities is inherent in my work. It is the guiding principle that informs my actions and decisions, always aiming to create positive social impact.

E.S.B.: How do you define CSR?

J.O: I define CSR as a company's commitment to operate ethically, taking into account the social, economic, and environmental impacts of its activities. This goes beyond mere legal compliance or concern for image; it is a holistic approach that integrates social responsibility into the very heart of the corporate strategy. It requires the courage to make choices that are not just good for business but morally just! It entails moving towards social and environmental justice rather than clinging to financial performance at any cost. In any case, it should no longer come at the expense of human beings and their environment.

E.S.B.: How is it a business catalyst, and what type of ROI does it offer?

J.O: Intersectionality, stemming from the thought of African American jurist Kimberlé Crenshaw, is not just a tool to make discrimination visible and audible. It is also a wonderful reminder of the beauty of our plural identities and their potential richness for the business world. Intersectionality also means benefiting from a double or triple culture. It also means being born trilingual. All international and national studies show how diversifying profiles in teams, management, and executive leadership correlates positively with a company's financial performance. McKinsey identified that statistically, the top quartile of the most gender-diverse companies is 15% more likely to have financial returns above their respective national medians. Even more interesting: this figure rises to +25% when diversity and ethnic diversity are combined! Having an intersectional D&I strategy is correlated with better financial performance.

E.S.B.: What would you like to say to ESSEC Club Alumni and others?

J.O: We must no longer be afraid to embrace the complexity of the world we live in. Let's dare to talk about religion in business, dare to address racial issues in business, dare to invite people affected by racism, classism, and homophobia because their voices must be heard. Let us be the champions of change we wish to see in the world: an inclusive world, environmentally responsible, economically stable, driven by empathy rather than profit, which respects all identities, no matter how intersectional they may be. We can be actors in this CSR/DEI revolution!