Responses from Chicago Organizations

It has been just two and a half weeks since the horrible death of George Floyd in Minneapolis at the hands of a now-former Minneapolis police officer. I am sure that you, like me, have in these last two and a half weeks received dozens of emails from brands and organizations denouncing what happened in Minneapolis (and to Breonna Taylor in Kentucky and too many others), stating their solidarity with their Black constituents and the Black community at large, and in most cases, describing their intended action steps.

As you all know, even though I currently live and work in Miami, I have deep roots in Chicago and still consider it my home. And Chicago is no stranger to racial injustice, so organizations there have the lived experience from which to process these newest chapters in the continuing tragedy that is racial injustice in America. Thus, I made a point to read in detail those communications from some of the Chicago-area organizations where I was formerly affiliated and/or am currently still a supporter. I have linked to them below, in the hopes that they might be useful to any readers who are part of developing their organization's response, or merely that they might provide some useful lines of thought as you continue to process.

One other thought: there is no such thing as a perfect statement, or a perfect response. If there was, the problems themselves might actually be resolved. The point is to add our voices to the chorus of individuals and organizations promising to listen, to learn, and to leverage whatever resources each has to move the needle in some way in our spheres of influence.

As many commentators have said, this time it feels different. May God make it so.

• Calvary Memorial Church of Oak Park, in addition to several pastors speaking to racial injustice in the last few Sundays' sermons, provided a list of resources (I grew up at this church and was a staff member for several years until I moved to Florida)
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra issued a statement along with a list of current programs that it intends to enhance in terms of diversity, equity, and inclusion (I financially support this orchestra, and while living in Chicago volunteered in several capacities including a term on the young professional organization's executive committee)
• Chicago Voyagers issued a statement that includes a list of planned actions (I financially support this youth development organization, and my uncle is the executive director)
• Wheaton College made public its senior administrators' message to students and employees and in days since has made digital programming available (I financially support Wheaton College, am an alumnus of its Conservatory of Music, and was a staff member for several years until I moved to Florida)