Statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Seamen’s Society
The murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, took the national discourse on race, justice, and equity, sadly, to an entirely new level. The tragedy was a watershed moment in the country, touching arenas as far afield as the classroom and the corporate boardroom. Voices from many parts of American culture, which have, for many years, brought attention to the systemic drivers of racially influenced disparities, came together in the ongoing push for justice and equity.
The elevated dialogue, in 2020, on race, equity and social justice, marked an inflection point for Seamen’s Society. We believe that it is the agency’s responsibility to create a space to shape how these issues can impact our company culture and the vulnerable, diverse, communities whom we serve. At Seamen’s Society, we explore these complex issues in a purposeful and organized manner. We have a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee which establishes and prioritizes our efforts in these challenging areas. The President & CEO of Seamen’s Society actively serves on the DEI Committee.
With the mission of our agency as a guide, and within the context of deeply rooted issues of race, equity and social justice, this committee is empowered to set clear objectives and determine how Seamen’s Society approaches these issues. The DEI Committee utilizes a transformative, multi-tiered framework designed to support Seamen’s Society team members, and the families and communities we serve, in order to move our DEI vision toward reality. We will continue to make this a priority in order to drive greater understanding and real change.