June 18, 2020

Doing Our Part.

A statement from BL CEO, Greg Andersen.

This month we recognize the intersection of two crucial social justice issues—support for the LGBTQ+ community and Black Lives Matter.

In our conversations with clients and internally, we are having meaningful dialogue about our roles in creating a better way forward. Positively, not once has someone said, “We are doing enough.” Instead, people are asking, “How can we do more? How can we do better?” These are questions we must all ask ourselves…not just this week or this month, but always. Then take on the responsibility of actually doing more.

At BL, we’ve started by introducing a matching program for employee donations to social justice organizations. We are advising our clients to steer their brands and budgets away from divisive and inflammatory media environments. We are broadening our pro bono initiatives to include help for local social justice organizations and introducing an annual community outreach and scholarship program to create more opportunities for people of color in our industry.

This month, I also signed a pledge with other Omaha business leaders:

• We will educate ourselves and disseminate the history of systemic racism in Omaha and the barriers it continues to present today.
• We will create opportunities to listen to those affected and marginalized by these barriers to learn how we can help.
• We will support, lift up, collaborate with, and fund nonprofit agencies who work tirelessly in marginalized communities.
• We will use our influence and position to amplify unheard voices and endorse policies that lead to racial justice.
• We will improve the employment, training, advancement, support, and success of people of color in our workforces.
• We will continue the conversation by engaging in ongoing meetings of the Omaha group CEOs for Commitment to Opportunity, Diversity and Equity to collectively address the issues of racism, oppression, and bias in our organizations and communities.

All of this isn’t the end of the list, but just the beginning. As an Omaha-based company, part of our mission is to create an accurate and respectful understanding of the “fly-over states.” It is a misunderstood part of our country that is wonderfully complex and diverse. There are over 100 languages spoken in the homes of Omaha public school students. Each of those voices and perspectives has a place in our community and our businesses.