How fast did Corporate America respond to BLM?

• By June 4th, almost all of the 50 largest corporations issued a BLM statement
• By June 4th, $1.1 billion had been pledged to Black Lives Matter, the NAACP, community rebuilding or outreach 
• On June 1st, ViacomCBS turned 10 of its networks dark for 8 minutes and 46 seconds
• Vail Resorts Chief Executive Officer Rob Katz said his company and industry haven’t done enough to improve racial diversity in skiing, calling his own lack of action a “personal failing.” 
• UnitedHealth Group created an education fund for George Flloyd’s children
• Goldman Sachs pledged $10 million “to help address racial and economic injustice.

Why has the response been different this time?

• Pandemic.
  • Brands that are silent have more at risk than those that weigh in because “people are at home and watching.” – Tiffany McGhee, CEO and co-chief investment officer of institutional investment services at Momentum Advisors
• Polarizing Politics.
• Access to Information.
  •  “People are going to hold companies accountable, not just for what they say but for what they do.” – Rashad Robinson, president of Color of Change

Washington Post | Silent No More on Race, America’s CEOs Fumble for Right Words