To date, nearly 1,000 Delta people have traveled to the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama, for an immersive learning experience at the Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice .

“How do you genuinely connect with people and connect the world? One important way is to begin in the humanity of truth-telling and allowing what we learn from it to inform a more just world for all of us,” said Keyra Lynn Johnson, V.P. and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer. “Delta is choosing EJI as one way to grow more understanding and, hopefully, inspire others to consider the exponential value of leaning into equity.”

During the most recent trip, employees presented a contribution on behalf of Delta to EJI in support of the organization’s racial justice and public education efforts. Johnson also presented EJI's founder and executive director, civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson, with a replica Delta plane signed by CEO Ed Bastian and all members of Delta’s Leadership Council, including the first executive to sponsor an employee trip to the Legacy Museum: Peter Carter, E.V.P. – External Affairs.

“We want the seeds of understanding to continue to grow,” said Carter. “While this contribution is one way to express that, Delta’s commitment to continue facilitating visits to EJI is what is truly making the difference with our people.” 

Like EJI, Delta shares a commitment to creating equitable outcomes for all, and these trips create an opportunity for employees to get proximate to history that undergirds the need for individuals and corporations to be part of finding solutions.

In February 2020, after Delta’s Global Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the BOLD Business Resource Group hosted a private screening of “Just Mercy,” a biopic on Stevenson, Delta leaders made a commitment to host employee visits to the Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice.  Since that time, Stevenson has been a trusted thought partner to Delta.

“Delta’s connection to the Equal Justice Initiative reflects genuine commitment to understanding the fundamental structures of racial inequity that impact every facet of life today,” said Stevenson.  “I remain hopeful that we can all be a part of intentionally addressing and then dismantling those systems, to create something better.”

EJI, is a private, nonprofit law organization that has provided legal services to the poor and incarcerated for more than 30 years. From its offices in Montgomery, EJI works to challenge mass incarceration, excessive punishment and the abuse of children, people with disabilities, and the indigent in America’s justice system.  In 2018, EJI opened the museum and memorial to create new spaces, markers and memorials to provide an immersive learning experience.