The Research Triangle Park community is touched by recent events related to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade and so many others. Systemic racism has been a challenge for our country since its inception, and these recent events have brought us all to the realization – we cannot apologize, shake our heads and then carry on with business as usual.
The wrongful deaths of these citizens of the United States need to be the inflection point to spark real change in our minds and society. We cannot meet our potential as a model for the world without undertaking the hard work to change it. Our citizens and law enforcement professionals should not be placed in conflict to allow for the discourse that must occur. We are an enlightened society and can do better.
At RTP, we plan to expand the activities of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee with representatives and leadership from many of the 310 companies in the Park. We cannot yet know what it will take to effect change, but we do know that our companies were committed to social equity and justice before these recent deaths, and are motivated more than ever to take on the hard work with our regional partners.
Reflected by what is happening in cities across our country, the issues of racial inequity and prejudice are no longer bearable. The Research Triangle Foundation team works alongside 55,000 employees who can and will change this individually and collectively.
In solidarity,
Scott Levitan
President and CEO
Research Triangle Foundation of NC