As citizens across the nation voice their frustration and anger in the wake of civil unrest, we have heard from Memphis Business Leaders who want to create safe spaces for meaningful dialogue inside their organizations. In response, the Greater Memphis Chamber has created a list of resources for employers to use to help engage with employees to hold productive conversations and create opportunities to help build an anti-racist workplace culture.
Below is a list of resources business leaders can use to navigate this work inside their businesses.
The Greater Memphis Chamber CEO Beverly Robertson talks with John Daniel, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at First Horizon and Fred Towler, Chief Diversity Officer at International Paper on how to meaningfully address racism and injustice with employees.
Allyship Guide: From Awareness to Advocacy by Kroger & African American Associate Resource Group
Sample Letter from CEO from Doug Wenners, Prospero Health CEO
How Should You Be Talking With Employees About Racism?
8 Lessons for Talking About Race, Racism and Racial Justice
Recommendations from Doug Wenners, Prospero Health CEO
Sign petitions calling for racial justice
Donate to organizations that combat racism and address inequality
Call or email your local representatives to ask them to take action against police brutality
Become a better ally, friend, and colleague by listening and learning
An Anti-Racist Reading List compiled by Ibram X. Kendi for The New York Times
In the Shadow of Statues: A White Southerner Confronts History - Mitch Landrieu
So You Want To Talk About Race - Ijeoma Oluo
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness - Michelle Alexander
Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community - Robert Putnam
The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America - Richard Rothstein
How To Be Antiracist - Ibram X. Kendi
Where Do We Go From Here Chaos or Community - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Books on American Slavery
Slavery By Another Name - Douglas Blackmon
American Slavery, American Freedom - Edmund Morgan
Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul - Eddie S. Glaude Jr.
The Color of Money: Black Banks and the Racial Wealth Gap - Mehrsa Baradaran
They Were Her Property - Stephanie Jones- Rogers
Immigration And The Remaking of Black America - Tod G. Hamilton
Race, Work and Leadership: New Perspectives on the Black Experience by
The Person You Mean to Be by Dolly Chugh
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo, PhD
Courageous conversations about race by Glenn E. Singleton
In response to the social injustice and protests surrounding the death of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbrey and others, this episode of Memphians on the Move is dedicated to solidarity and a forward lean for change. We feature a collection of messages from bellwethers who are personally and professionally motivated to impact racism and inequality. Watch the full episode below:
The Greater Memphis Chamber is committed to providing resources and information to help the business community create positive and effective workplace culture. Does your company have resources to share? Let us know.