The Atlanta Committee for Progress – a partnership of Atlanta’s top business, civic and academic leaders chaired by Delta CEO Ed Bastian – pledged Monday to “do our part” to build a more just, inclusive world.
“We know that words aren’t enough. Concrete actions and solutions are essential to reverse the long history of systemic racism and injustice that is a stain on our great nation,” read the statement, signed by Bastian – ACP’s 2020 Chairman - and dozens of other leaders, including the CEOs of Coca-Cola, The Home Depot, UPS and more.
Read the full statement:
The senseless and horrific events of the past several weeks have left the people of our community reeling with anguish, fear, frustration and justified anger. Our hearts ache for the pain being felt by our neighbors, friends, families and colleagues.
As business leaders in Atlanta, with its deep and rich legacy of peaceful protest, we know too well the injustice that continues to plague our community from racism, discrimination and violence. Our shared history compels us to work together to create a better future for everyone.
Our city’s leaders have been models for the nation with their compassion and empathy during the past several days. We thank Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, the City of Atlanta staff, the Atlanta Police and Fire Rescue Departments for their thoughtful, human approach to the unrest in our community. We are committed to working with them and other civic leaders to move forward to a more inclusive and just society.
We know that words aren’t enough. Concrete actions and solutions are essential to reverse the long history of systemic racism and injustice that is a stain on our great nation.
Collectively and individually, we believe in an inclusive world. We believe everyone’s voice should be heard. We believe in freedom of expression. And we stand ready to help build a better future for all.
As business leaders with deep ties to Atlanta, we pledge to do our part.
Claire Lewis Arnold, CEO, Leapfrog Services, Inc
Ed Bastian CEO, Delta Air Lines, Inc. & ACP 2020 Chair
Dr. Mark P. Becker President, Georgia State University
Mark Begor CEO, Equifax,
Arthur M. Blank Owner, Atlanta Falcons
Raphael Bostic , President & CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
W. Paul Bowers Chairman, President & CEO, Georgia Power
Matt Bronfman CEO, Jamestown, L.P.
Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell President, Spelman College
Dan Cathy Chairman & CEO, Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Dr. Ångel Cabrera President, Georgia Institute of Technology
Colin Connolly, President & CEO, Cousins Properties, Inc.
Martin L. Flanagan President & CEO, Invesco
Mike Hayford, President & CEO, NCR
Doug Hertz, Chairman & CEO, United Distributors
James Hannan, Executive Vice President & CEO of Enterprises, Koch Industries
Venessa Harrison, President, AT&T Georgia
John Haupert, President & CEO, Grady Health System
Doug Hertz, President & CEO, United Distributors
Donna Hyland, President & CEO, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Jenna Kelly, President, Georgia Division, Truist Financial
Paul Judge, Chairman, Pindrop
Elie Maalouf ,CEO, IHG, The Americas
Ryan Marshall, President & CEO, PulteGroup, Inc.
Penelope McPhee, President, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
Craig Menear, Chairman, President & CEO, The Home Depot
James Quincey, President & CEO, The Coca-Cola Company
Tony Ressler, Owner, Atlanta Hawks
Michael Russell, CEO, H.J. Russell & Company
Jeff Sloan, CEO, Global Payments
Nicholas Speeks, President & CEO, Mercedes-Benz USA
Jim Squires, Chairman, President & CEO, Norfolk Southern
Claire E. Sterk, President, Emory University
Wendy Stewart, Atlanta Market President, Bank of America
Russell Stokes, President & CEO, GE Power
Alex Taylor, President & CEO, Cox Enterprises, Inc.
Scott Taylor, President & CEO, Carter
Dr. David A. Thomas, President, Morehouse College
Carol Tomé, CEO, UPS
Steve Voorhees, CEO, WestRock
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