BLACK LIVES MATTER

Racism has no place in our world. We believe that each person is equally worthy despite the cruel fact that not all are equally valued.

In facing up to racism, we at WaterEquity recognize the need for us to immediately look closer at ourselves. Where have we fallen short in the past? Where have we ignored what was right in front of us? What can we do better now, and what can we do better in the future?

We also recognize that we have a particular responsibility to lead by example in our industry. A 2017 report by the Government Accountability Office on the financial sector found that, between 2007 and 2015, the percentage of African Americans in management fell from 6.5 to 6.3 percent. We can and must do better to address the specific breeds of racism and discrimination that exist in our own field.

As many have pointed out, words are not enough—what is sought and needed is action. Here is our starting commitment today.

1.

Management will personally match dollar-for-dollar all employee donations to one of the following organizations between now and July 31:

 

  • Diverse Asset Managers Initiative
  • Brown Girls Do Invest
  • Black Lives Matter
  • Campaign Zero
  • The Loveland Foundation
  • A Second U Foundation
  • NAACP Legal Defense Fund
  • Equal Justice Initiative

 

2.

We will review our hiring and board recruitment procedures and identify specific ways to improve racial diversity.

3.

We will form a Task Force to identify ways we can help address policing and criminal justice reform in the communities in which we work.

4.

We will look for ways to support black-owned businesses in selecting our vendors and suppliers.

Bryan Stevenson, the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, recently pointed out that America has succeeded in changing the culture of institutions in this country. It happened with drunk driving, then again with domestic violence, and it is happening now with sexual harassment. We share his hope that this moment will be the start of a cultural transformation around policing, criminal justice and the treatment of Black people in this country, and worldwide.