Our nation’s systematic problems of racism, inequity and injustice are deeply woven into our history and, unfortunately, in some of the hearts and minds that run the systems that govern, protect, hire, and educate us. Many will claim that our problems are behind us, or that we just shouldn’t talk about it.
But for us, as communicators and as people, that was never an option. Speaking out against the senseless and tragic murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others and evaluating our role in being a part of the solution to reform these systems is both our corporate and individual responsibility. We don’t have all the answers, but we’re committed to the collective effort needed to effect change.
As individuals and as a small business, we’re reflecting on how we put our founding values of inclusivity, integrity and equity into practice, and on finding ways we can be better.
Contributing to the Cause
As a team, we’re making available a charitable fund for employees to draw from to support causes that they care about deeply. The organizations our employees have chosen to support are:
- Advancement Project
- NAACP Legal Defense Fund
- The Loveland Foundation
- Southern Coalition for Social Justice
- Equal Justice Initiative
Evaluating Our Hiring Practices
We’re making an effort to broaden the way we distribute our job postings, making sure we advertise new jobs and internships in a way that leverages the diversity of our community, such as by including Historically Black Colleges and Universities in our recruitment program and working with subject matter experts to help evaluate and develop our hiring practices.
Promoting Pay Transparency
Talking openly about compensation is a simple, but powerful way to reduce the wage gap for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and women. At Avid Core, we will include a salary range for each new job posting, and we are encouraging current employees to share their own salary range with their fellow colleagues.
Checking up on Each Other & Prioritizing Mental Health
When the news can feel overwhelming, we’re making sure that we regularly ask our team how we’re doing and encouraging all to speak up and seek support when they feel overwhelmed by issues that may deeply affect themselves, families, and their community. We also want every team member to feel as though they have a voice and have the power to speak up if there is an area in which we can do better.
This is only the beginning, and we are committed to making progress as we grow. Join us in starting the conversation with your colleagues, friends and family.