Amazon commits $10 million to advancing racial justice, equity
Amazon has announced a $10 million commitment in support of efforts to advance racial justice and equity for African Americans.
Announced following a week of nationwide protests prompted by the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, the funding will support organizations focused on fighting systemic racism through the legal system as well as those dedicated to expanding educational and economic opportunities for African-American communities.
Selected with the help of Amazon's Black Employee Network (BEN), grant recipients include the ACLU Foundation, Brennan Center for Justice, Equal Justice Initiative, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, NAACP, National Bar Association, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Urban League, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, UNCF, and Year Up. In addition, BEN will receive funds it can regrant to local organizations working to advance education and racial equality initiatives in communities where Amazon employees live and work.
"Amazon's leadership and BEN have worked hand-in-hand to identify organizations in the black community that make a difference and will contribute to them in a meaningful way. In addition to the organizations listed, we will work with our chapters to identify local groups to support," said BEN president Angelina Howard. "We will continue these conversations about how Amazon can support employees and the entire black community beyond these tragic recent events."
(Photo credit: Amazon)
