For generations, racism has permeated across all aspects of American society, supported by laws and policies that fail to protect Black Americans. The murder of George Floyd served as a reckoning and a reminder that many societal dynamics from centuries ago resound across the US today

To change our future, we believe the business community has a responsibility to act. As a result, in October 2020, 100+ companies came together and launched CEO Action for Racial Equity, a Fellowship dedicated to advancing racial equity through public policy and corporate engagement strategies.

We focus our efforts on four platforms where longstanding racial disparities are widening: education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and public safety – with the goal of improving well-being in the Black community and impacting society at large. By working with nonprofit organizations, academics, community leaders and decision makers, we’re able to share, co-create and improve policies that represent us all and can close deeply rooted gaps faced by Black Americans.

Our Fellowship brings together business and thought leaders with diverse expertise across multiple industries and geographies. As leading voices in their respective fields, our Fellows bring passion and purpose to this first- of-its-kind initiative that mobilizes talent and resources from across Corporate America. Through public policies and corporate engagement strategies, we’re working collaboratively to bring about a more just and equitable society for us all.

While the business community has continued to strengthen its commitment to racial justice, it will require more than monetary donations, public statements, or social media hashtags to truly break the cycle of systemic racism. It’s crucial to learn from the past and essential to turn that knowledge into action. Where momentum exists, we’re building on it. And where ground has not yet been broken, our coalition is laying the foundation of continuous change and equity that will continue long after we’re gone.

Through our Fellowship, we hope the power of the business community and the individual can work together to advance equity for the more than 47 million Black Americans and addresssystemic racism. By improving the lives of Black Americans, we improve the well-being of our society as a whole.