Email from my job:
Dear colleagues,
This is an enormously challenging time in the U.S. The images from around the country and our own communities show the grief, anger and despair that so many of us and our neighbors are feeling.
We know that our African American colleagues, in particular, are dealing with immeasurable sadness, fear and anger. We want you to know that we are with you. Please let us know what we can do to support you in this time.
After a weekend of heightened tensions, civil unrest and inconsolable sadness, this morning the Senior Leadership Team met with representatives of our Employee Resource Groups and received some candid and appreciated feedback regarding our leadership and role in matters of race. We know we must do better. That starts with listening. We know that listening is an important first step – but we must do more. We must act to address these issues with our voices, our actions and our hearts.
Tomorrow, during our all-employee meeting, we will take the next step with a conversation about the George Floyd killing and the issues of systemic racism and injustices that it has brought to the forefront.
In the days to follow, we will also continue this conversation with our network of U.S. affiliates, volunteers and supporters.
In partnership,
Jonathan T. M. Reckford