Omaha Chamber Launches Pledge to Address Racism
In response to community calls to action, more than 225 Omaha CEOs have pledged to combat racism and inequity from the inside.
Businesses, school districts, nonprofits, utility providers, law firms and other organizations involved in the pledge are part of the Greater Omaha Chamber’s CODE initiative. CODE, which began with research conducted in 2015, is short for “Commitment to Opportunity, Diversity and Equity.”
The newly established CEOs for CODE statement highlights the willingness of corporate leaders to incorporate change into their practices. As of last Wednesday evening, the pledge had 237 signatures.
Among the represented law firms are Fraser Stryker, Baird Holm, McGrath | North, Kutak Rock and Koley Jessen.
The agreement outlines six promises: to educate on and dismantle systemic racism in Omaha, to create opportunities for marginalized communities, to collaborate with and fund nonprofit agencies that support marginalized communities, amplify unheard voices, improve employment and support people of color in the workforce and to continue the conversation.
“A commitment to change by business leaders must be a top priority,” said Carmen Tapio, president and CEO of North End Teleservices and chair of CODE. “Leaders must put decisive action behind the pledge and take the necessary steps to change the inequities within their organizations”
This action comes as a result of the chamber’s Omaha 2040 initiative – a plan to see Omaha become inclusive, equitable and accessible to all.
“We have a responsibility to move the region forward – a responsibility that extends to everyone, but especially to our most vulnerable populations,” said Bianca Harley, director of community diversity and inclusion at the Greater Omaha Chamber, said in a statement. “We cannot be the best version of Omaha without addressing racism, oppression and bias.”
User login
Omaha Daily Record
The Daily Record
222 South 72nd Street, Suite 302
Omaha, Nebraska
68114
United States
Tele (402) 345-1303
Fax (402) 345-2351