USBC President’s Statement Reflecting on the Fifth Anniversary of George Floyd’s Death

This horrific act galvanized a global movement, sparking long-overdue conversations and actions around racial equity, police accountability, and systemic reform. The momentum that followed was nothing short of transformative. Conscious consumers, corporations, and institutions began to reassess their roles in fostering racial justice. Black businesses saw unprecedented support, and we at the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. launched the ByBlack Platform—an ambitious effort to connect Black-owned businesses with customers and partners who are committed to spending with Black firms and understand the power of economic justice.

The impact was profound. According to The Hill, “corporations pledged over $50 billion toward implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. By August 2020, DEI-related jobs had surged nearly 55 percent. Black small business owners experienced a 75 percent boost in support as people chose to invest in the future of our communities”. Educational institutions began rethinking their ties to law enforcement and reimagining racial equity, while community health initiatives in cities like Washington, D.C., and Atlanta worked tirelessly to address racial health disparities through collaborations among healthcare systems, nonprofits, and Black entrepreneurs.

But today, we find ourselves facing new challenges that threaten to undo the progress we have made. The current administration has rolled back critical DEI initiatives, leading to widespread layoffs and the dismantling of federal programs designed to level the playing field for Black, Indigenous, and other marginalized communities. The result has been an alarming increase in division, not just along party lines, but in the very rhetoric we hear in our communities.

Despite these challenges, the U.S. Black Chambers remains steadfast in our mission. We will continue to amplify the voices of Black business owners, push for policies that promote economic justice, and ensure that the cries of “I can’t breathe” never go unanswered again. We honor George Floyd’s memory and the countless others lost to racial violence by working every day to build a more equitable future.

Regards,

President & CEO, U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.