June 4, 2020

Dear Mr. Surack,

We write to you as proud members of the Fort Wayne community, customers, and employees of Sweetwater. We acknowledge and appreciate your continued commitment to involvement within our community, including regular donations to local organizations doing powerful work. Thank you also for the statement you released denouncing racism. However, we are writing you now to address the disparity we see between these actions and statements, and the initiatives we are aware of within Sweetwater as a company.

Why did Sweetwater choose not to participate in the music industry’s initiative “The Show Must Be Paused” on Tuesday June 2nd? According to Rolling Stone, “The idea was to force the industry — which is built on black talent, but still largely run by white people — to take a long look at itself and consider, perhaps, where the same white supremacy and privilege that led to the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and others, may be lurking in its own structures and practices.” We insist that a pause for these reflections is essential. Your silence spoke volumes to our community and Sweetwater’s customers, causing hundreds of people to express - through email and social media - their disappointment and desire to cease business with Sweetwater. As devoted supporters of this company, our coworkers, customers, and community at large, we are asking for more. As a leader, you have a responsibility to your company and customers to not only state your beliefs, but also follow these words with action. We believe Sweetwater also has a duty as a leader in the Fort Wayne community to be the vanguard for these discussions and initiatives. We want to know how your personal reflection translates to concrete, long-term positive change within Sweetwater to promote and enact radical diversity, equity, and inclusion? We agree that “we are not where we need to be.” To that end, we pose these questions:

• How many Black people are part of the company and in which roles are they most represented?
• How many Black people are in leadership roles?
• How are we helping our Black colleagues right now, and what resources are being offered in support of their wellbeing?
• Has the company contacted every single one of our Black colleagues, asking what they need from us and how we can support them?
• How will Sweetwater encourage open dialogue about racial injustice and discrimination?
• Will you commit to hiring a Black anti-racist teacher or consultant to lead training for the company and consult on strategies for permanent change?
• Will you commit to signing the “CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion Pledge,” pledging to act on supporting a more inclusive workplace?
• Will Sweetwater commit to providing unconscious bias education and training for your employees?
• What outreach initiatives can be implemented to encourage diverse applicants and involvement with under-represented communities?

We impress the importance of amplifying the specific plight of our Black brothers and sisters in this moment. However, we know and promote that any of these commitments and initiatives will benefit all people of color and marginalized groups, advocating for widespread diversity. It is notable that on the Career page of the Sweetwater website, there is an emphasis on facilitating a “culture that is fun.” What if we dedicate that same enthusiasm for creating a culture and community that is truly diverse, accessible, and committed to progress? You were quoted in Forbes saying, “If we’ve truly done everything in our power to create a wonderful experience, then we aren’t going to lose customers. By the same token, we’ll do what it takes to win over a customer, but we will never compromise our values of integrity and honesty and always doing the right thing.” We are committed to holding you, our managers, our coworkers, our community, fellow businesses, and ourselves accountable for stepping forward in bold action to support the Black members of our community and create a better, more equitable future. We believe that is how Sweetwater can “do the right thing.”

We request that you respond publicly to these questions. Please include specific commitments and action steps that Sweetwater will begin to put in motion. We are attaching a list of resources as a suggested starting point. We are committed to doing this work together as a community. Thank you for your leadership. We look forward to your collaboration as we work together for positive, lasting change.

Signed in the spirit of unity and action.

 

 

 

Suggestions for resources, leaders and educators:

Inspired by the work of Rachel Cargle and Whitney Evans

Courageous Living, LLC

Ruth Umoh

Vision Awaken

Inclusion Strategy Solutions

The Executive Leadership Council

CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion

Jen Fry Talks

Robin DiAngelo

Jakiya Brown 

Sharon Chuter, @pullupforchange