Dear GWSB Community,
The GW School of Business stands united in solidarity with those who cry out for justice, those who fight structural racism, inequality and oppression, and those who want to create true equality for all.
Our diversity — and our inclusion of different ideas and perspectives — make us stronger. We are committed to engaging with our student leadership, the GWSB Dean’s Diversity Council and the GW Office of Diversity and Inclusion to identify additional ways that we as a community can contribute to change.
This is a painful time for our country. We are hurting from the tragic killings of civilians and the persistence of racism. We hope each of us will reach out to our colleagues or fellow students and check in on each other. We must all listen to understand. Creating and promoting community, especially during this unusual time of social distance, is imperative.
In the coming weeks, we will actively work with the GWSB Diversity Council, the office of the Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement, and with students, faculty and staff to ensure that every action of our school reflects our values clearly. We invite all to join us in this conversation.
We want to hear from everyone in the GWSB Community and share ideas on how we can work together toward making a change. How is each of us working toward change in our own way? What resources can be provided to our community to contribute to change? Such suggestions and advice will help inform our understanding and actions.
We want to share a sample of resources and suggestions that we have already received and found helpful:
- Joining and/or supporting a student organization, such as the GW Black Student Union, the National Black MBA Association, the National Association of Asian MBAs, Prospanica, or the Undergraduate Business Association
- Listening to and reading these interactives, stories and data about structural racism from the Urban Institute
- Recommendations from the Society for Human Resource Management on how to develop a diversity and inclusion initiative
- A guide from Sarah Sophie Flicker on anti-racism educational resources
- A list of anti-racism books from Jane Mount
- Supporting African-American organizations listed by Diversity Best Practices
We are here to listen and learn. Please send your thoughts to [email protected].
Sincerely,
Anuj Mehrotra, Dean
George Jabbour, Associate Dean for Executive Programs
Raj Kanungo, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs
Vanessa Perry, Associate Dean for Faculty and Research
Liesl Riddle, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs