We stand together with the victims of murder, marginalization, and repression because of their skin color, and with those who seek justice through protests across our country. We are outraged that the legacies of slavery, Jim Crow, systemic racism, and white supremacy continue to inform and inspire acts of violence and oppression against people of color.

We can not remain silent, as this is complicit participation in the very systems that continue to limit opportunities for people of color in this country.

As members of BNI, we are held to its core values. And we believe these same core values call upon BNI to join the effort to undo centuries of systemic racism.

Specifically, we are requesting that BNI publicly undertake the following actions:

• Unequivocally declare that Black Lives Matter and BNI is committed to dismantling white supremacy.
• Commit to a plan within the next three months to develop a working group that will explore and advance issues of equity, inclusion, and diversity within BNI.
• Declare that discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), immigration status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status will not be tolerated within BNI and that violating this statement by any member, member-owned business, or member-represented business is grounds for removal from BNI.
• Develop a plan within the next 6 months to more actively and intentionally conduct outreach to develop and advance minority-owned businesses.
• Develop a series of education moments and 8-minute presentations dedicated to issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.
• As part of these efforts, develop the necessary metrics to determine if these efforts are being successfully implemented and are achieving their stated goals.

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr