As an agency, we at Affect wanted to share with our clients and friends how we are grappling with recent events, working to help create change in our agency and supporting each other during these difficult times.
In the last week, we have all borne witness to some of the most despicable acts of violence and racism in America. The killing of George Floyd is shocking and horrific, but is part of a long list of killings and injustices against the black community that has sparked national outrage, protests and civil unrest. Unfortunately, based on the dark and deep-rooted history of racism in our country, it will take an enormous amount of action, accountability and education to truly change our society.
As a company, we are dedicated to equality and inclusion for all of our employees. However, we cannot truly fulfill that promise if we are only concerned with social justice while we are in the workplace. Although some people may wonder if it is the place of an organization to insert itself into this conversation, I believe that it would be an injustice if we were to remain silent when we have the power, the privilege and the means to support our employees, our clients and our community in their fight for justice. Even if we, as individuals, are not members of a marginalized or minority population, we can be allies – and use our voices, our time and our funds to fight social injustice.
Here is how Affect is supporting these efforts and how we can support you and our community:
1. Affect is donating to these organizations:
Black Lives Matter: Dedicated to the eradication of racism and to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy. https://blacklivesmatter.com/
Community Justice Exchange (National Bail Fund): National hub for developing, sharing, and experimenting with tactical interventions, strategic organizing practices, and innovative organizing tools to end mass incarceration. https://www.communityjusticeexchange.org/
National Police Accountability Project: Dedicated to holding law enforcement accountable for misconduct in our communities. https://www.nlg-npap.org/
NAACP: To secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination. https://www.naacp.org/
ACLU: Works in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all people in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States. https://www.aclu.org/
2. Affect will double the matching program (Affective Giving) of employee donations to nonprofits fighting for social justice for the next 30 days
3. Affect’s employees can use their Charity Days to volunteer, join protests (in-person or online) and support organizations fighting for social justice
4. Affect will extend its Physical, Mental and Emotional Health Benefit until the end of the year
5. Affect will create a Virtual Bookshelf of articles, books and resources on how to be an anti-racist and support our team members and our community at large
As I have expressed to many of you over the years, the personal motivation for me to found Affect was largely driven by a desire to create a workplace where people feel valued, respected, rewarded and recognized. These principles are based on the assumption that we are all treated fairly and ethically – with equal opportunity to rise. We have to aim higher than to have this only apply within the four walls of our company. We can’t sit idly by.
I welcome any feedback, discussions and ideas on how we can be a better employer, better individuals and better members of our society. And if any of you are in pain, angry or feeling overwhelmed, please know that the team is here for you and I am personally here for you. Please let me know what we can do to support you and heal together.
– Sandra
