Since late March, the streets around our office have been quiet to mitigate the spread of a virus that has killed more than 400,000 people around the world. We anticipated a gradual, careful reopening of our city, but instead, our streets exploded with loud voices two weeks ago in reaction to the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Each night, the streets of Portland continue to be filled with individuals coming together to protest a disease that has afflicted our country for hundreds of years: racism.

Our company stands beside those peacefully demonstrating for change and awareness for equal rights, respect, opportunity, and fair treatment of all Americans regardless of race. Hatred has no place inside the walls of our company, and we hope one day it has no place within the borders of our nation.

Meaningful change takes advocacy and a powerful voice, which at times can only be achieved through large numbers of citizens standing up for what is right. We recognize our need to change to create sustainable racial diversity within our company. We are committed to a spirited effort to achieve progress through more diverse channels. It will take education and training for all of us at Ferguson Wellman and West Bearing to better understand and diminish racism in our community and our industry. We also know it will take time, but it begins by committing to start. And we are starting today.