Black lives matter.
We want to make clear that the entire Martin Waymire team stands with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
We’ve taken the last few weeks to pause, listen and learn. We understand that we have a lot to do to become intentional and inclusive in our efforts, policies and practices. As communicators who live to write and speak, we also recognize that words are not enough.
Change demands action, and we know we haven’t put in the time or done the work to become an anti-racist organization. We recognize that we still have much to learn, and we may not always get it right, but we have begun taking concrete steps to change.
We have begun examining our own implicit biases and identifying ways that we can contribute to eradicating racism within our communities. We commit to supporting Black-owned businesses, hiring staff and vendors from diverse backgrounds and building awareness within ourselves and among our clients of the importance of racial justice.
Going forward, Martin Waymire also commits to:
- Attract and hire employees who accurately represent the communities in which we live and do business, in part by mentoring students of color and working harder to make sure Black candidates are not only considered but hired.
- Partner with a Black community leader as a paid facilitator, to help us with our efforts outlined here and beyond, and to hold us accountable when we fall short.
- Make Juneteenth an official Martin Waymire holiday.
- Conduct a thorough review of our internal policies and procedures to make anti-racism efforts company standards.
- Develop and implement measurable, companywide initiatives to encourage diverse perspectives in our approach to making Michigan a better place.
- Evaluate our work with clients to help them take a more inclusive and intersectional approach in their communications strategies.
- Dedicate staff time monthly to learn from and provide pro bono support to Black causes, organizations and community leaders.
Our driving passion is to help make Michigan a better place – a goal that will remain unreachable as long as Black, Indigenous and People of Color face discrimination, violence and unequal opportunities. We applaud the Ingham County Board of Commissioners and Lansing City Council for their declarations that racism is a public health crisis. We stand by those declarations and will use our privilege and platform to support and uplift Michiganders of Color to create lasting, systemic change.
Our work has only just begun, and our commitment is by no means finite. We are working towards a permanent evolution in the way we operate and we welcome all voices and opportunities to help us learn, unlearn and grow towards becoming a truly anti-racist, inclusive partner in the fight for racial equality.
—The Martin Waymire Team
