Earlier this week, a letter signed by business leaders was presented to Columbus City Council unequivocally supporting a Resolution by Councilmember Priscilla Tyson declaring that racism is a public health crisis in our community.
I was among the more than 750 business leaders that signed the letter, and those signatures were gathered in less than 72 hours over the course of last weekend.
Since the letter was sent to City Council, more than 2,600 others have signed on as well.
That level of swift action and response is exemplary, but we must ensure it is the beginning, not the end.
Business leaders, and all citizens of our community and our country, need to have conversations about racial equity. We must acknowledge our biases, our privilege, and we must find a new way forward.
We must collectively seek to understand and work to heal the wounds and divisions that have existed for centuries. Protestors are stirring a new level of activism and it is no longer acceptable to be passive bystanders.
I believe that nonprofit organizations, especially, are positioned to be leaders of change.
We’ve seen organizations from art museums and libraries to youth service and housing agencies taking a stand in solidarity with people of color, making public statements calling for action.
While I signed the letter and I made a donation to an organization dedicated to racial justice this week, I know it’s not enough. I am committed to listening, learning, and doing more to eradicate racism and health inequities it causes.
We are stronger together.
Article by: Kerri Laubenthal Mollard, Founder & CEO
