We are complicit in systems of racism and white supremacy and therefore it is critical that we work to identify and dismantle these systems and actively fight for more diverse, equitable, inclusive and just systems and spaces.
We also recognize that:
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice
"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”
1) Doing this work is NOT an option.
2) Doing this work will be uncomfortable and hard. Regardless, we will not turn our backs on it.
3) We will make mistakes and we will apologize for them, learn from them and try again.
5) We are here to listen, to invest in this work, and to act on these commitments.
1) Doing this work is NOT an option.
2) Doing this work will be uncomfortable and hard. Regardless, we will not turn
our backs on it.
3) We will make mistakes and we will apologize for them, learn from them and try again.
4) We are here to listen, to invest in this work, and to act on these commitments.
— DESMOND TUTU
We are complicit and we are committed.
A Note About Our Location:
We acknowledge that our team works on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of indigenous people: the Nipmuc, Massachuset, and the Wampanoag Peoples.
Our Commitments
We provide all of our employees with an allowance to engage in anti-racism education and training. This allows each of our employees to use these funds in the way that best serves where they’re at in this journey, and provides the opportunity for continued, ongoing learning.
We actively invest in Black communities through investing in people. These investments are in the form of:
- Quarterly Contributions to BIPOC non-profit organizations
- Quarterly Investments into Black-owned businesses
- Scholarships for our products and services for BIPOC business owners
We recognize the purchasing power of our own dollars and are actively working to ensure we are investing our money with companies and individuals who share our values. We have committed to a goal of at least 50% of our monthly operating expenses going towards business owners that are historically disenfranchised or underrepresented. As of March 2022, we are at 36%.
We recognize the importance of having a diverse and inclusive team. We have implemented systems and policies into our hiring process to create a more equitable process, and continue to foster relationships with employees, contractors and partners so that the make-up of our community represents the diversity of our society.
We will not have the change we seek until our elected representatives mirror the people in our communities suffering most. That is why we’re committed to electing leaders at all levels of government who are actively fighting for equity and justice for all.
While businesses are generally not able to directly donate to political campaigns, we strongly encourage our owners and employees to do so on a regular basis.
To the extent allowed by law, we donate to and support non-profit organizations that are actively working to support and elect candidates who share our values.
To the extent allowed by law, we actively advocate and lobby on behalf of legislation that promotes equity and justice.
Learn more about the pledge
As part of our work towards anti-racism, we have committed to the Anti-Racism Small Business Pledge.
one
NAME WHITE SUPREMACY AND THE IMPACT OF RACISM ON BOTH OUR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIVES.
Acknowledge the omni-present existence of white supremacy and how it operates and is supported in your company. Name it in your company values, business operations, discuss it with your employees and discuss it with your business partners, clients and greater community.
two
ENGAGE IN ANTI-RACIST EDUCATION FOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM.
Commit money and time to be educated on anti-racism on an ongoing basis for you and your team. This is not a one-time thing. Antiracism must be active. We recommended taking courses, reading books and participating in a book study, hiring a DEI consultant to come in and offer training to you and your whole team, etc. Active anti-racism learning should take place on a quarterly basis.
three
COMMIT TO OPEN-CONFLICT AND ALLOW DISCOMFORT.
When conflict arises on your team and within your communities, let it arise. Don’t try to hide it, delete it, or ignore it. Acknowledge the conflict, allow space for community members to be heard and deal with the underlying issue rather than demonizing the community member who raised the issue. These conversations are happening regardless, allow them to happen in your spaces and be a part of the conversation. Take action to implement the needs expressed by community members. Train your community moderators on how to have culturally responsive communications and handle conflict online.
Four
INVEST A PORTION OF YOUR MONTHLY COMPANY BUDGET TO THE BLACK COMMUNITY.
Review your company budget and you will find that your white dollars stay in the white community. Commit to spending a portion of your company budget, we recommend 30%, on hiring Black employees, vendors and contractors, using Black-owned software and services and hiring Black speakers, purchasing Black-authored books and more. Invest in the Black community, not just once, but on an ongoing basis.
five
EXPRESS YOUR SINCERE, LONG-TERM COMMITMENT TO BECOMING AN ANTI-RACIST ORGANIZATION.
Create a permanent statement that illustrates your commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity and anti-racism that goes on all of your external facing documents (website, job announcements, publications, contracts, etc). It should be written from a place of realistic language about where you are and also be aspirational about where your business is trying to go. It should outline specific steps that you will take to get there.
For more information on the pledge, click here.
As part of our commitment to being actively anti-racist, we are taking the Anti-Racist Small Business Pledge. We will continue to update this page with details on how we are fulfilling each of the commitments in this pledge.
Anti-racist: those who speak and act in ways that advance
racial equity in society; the act of interrupting racism.