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Via Business Insider.
Companies like Netflix, McDonald’s, and Target are speaking out amid the George Floyd protests — and some are actually taking action
Protests erupted across the US after the death of George Floyd, the 46-year-old Black man who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and now companies are speaking out.
From Amazon to Glossier to Snap, CEOs and companies are releasing statements in support of justice and racial equality.
While some companies detailed donations or internal changes they would be making, others have yet to, so we sifted through the statements and pressed companies for specifics in any instances where vague language or promises have been made.
Here’s a list of companies who have come out with statements, letters, and responses related to the death of George Floyd and the resulting protests — and what they’re actually doing.
The words: “We can replace our windows and handbags, but we cannot bring back George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, Emmett Till, and too many others. Each of these black lives matter,” Tapestry CEO Jide Zeitlin wrote.
The executive wrote about his own experiences and said that brands hold a responsibility toward making change.
The action: Tapestry is creating a plan that will be announced soon, Zeitlin wrote.
“We are working through a plan that we look forward to sharing with you. We want to convene a number of social justice, legal, and corporate entities to formulate a longer-term plan for addressing systemic inequality. Inequality in health, economic opportunity, public safety, and other sectors. We hope to join with government, but events of this past week make it clear that we cannot wait.”
Bill Pugliano/Getty Images
The words: “There comes a time when we are compelled to stop diagnosing what is wrong and start advocating for what is right,” Barra said in a memo to her employees.
Barra also said GM is committed to inclusion, condemns intolerance, and stands up for justice.
The Action: By the end of the quarter Barra said the company would have an active Inclusion Advisory Board made up of leaders both inside and outside the company with the purpose of promoting inclusion and standing up against injustice. Barra said she will chair the board.
The words: Erlinger emphasized the company’s values of diversity but did not delineate specific actions of how the company planned to support African American communities or people of color. He did however, ask for ideas from employees.
“I encourage you to write me directly with thoughts and ideas as to how McDonald’s can reinforce its commitment to our communities and share anything else that’s on your mind,” Erlinger wrote.
Chris Kempczinski, CEO of McDonald’s, wrote a letter to employees acknowledging the protests igniting around the country.
The action: The CEO’s letter noted that the company would hold a town hall for US-based employees.
“I’d like to hear from you on the ways we can continue to open our own doors more fully while driving change beyond our Golden Arches,” Kempczinski wrote.
Via Business Insider.
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