A Statement from O4B

Out for Business and its members firmly express their support for all victims of racism, discrimination, police brutality, and the protestors seeking justice for, among countless others, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and Jacob Blake across the nation. We stand with the Black Graduate Business Association (BGBA) and all those fighting these injustices in solidarity.

So many in our community directly identify with this discrimination, and all others empathize with the rejection, hatred, and violence that our fellow humans are subject to everyday. We strongly condemn the system that discriminates against, falsely imprisons, and prosecutes people of color. O4B will continue to support our Black, Brown, and indigenous colleagues around the world in fighting for equality and justice for all people.

We see the phrase "in these unprecedented times" in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the systematic racism that dominates is anything but unprecedented. It is the result of a social structure that was established with the very foundation of this country to oppress and harm Black people.

We strive to do better for our Black, Brown, indigenous, disenfranchised, and oppressed neighbors, family, friends, and communities. It is not enough to think about how we end this type of oppression – we must come together as individuals and a community to act. Just as LGBTQ+ people anywhere stand up for LGBTQ+ people everywhere, we also stand against oppression in whatever ugly form it takes.

Out for Business, in coordination with BGBA, has collected the following selection of resources that either support the work being done to fight oppression or educate people about racism. The Out for Business board has personally donated $250 on behalf of our members to support these causes. We encourage those with the means to also do the same. The Out for Business board will continue to explore ways in which to actively participate in this cause.

Causes

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
George Floyd Memorial Fund – Official gofundme to support the Floyd family
Minnesota Freedom Fund – Community-based non-profit that pays criminal bail & immigration bonds for individuals who have been arrested while protesting police brutality
Black Visions Collective – a black, trans & queer-led organization that is committed to dismantling systems of oppression and violence, and shifting the public narrative to create transformative long-term change
Campaign Zero – online platform and organization that utilizes research-based policy solutions to end police brutality in America

We also recommend all MBAs read this article targeted to MBAs about how to get more involved