To our clients and guests:
While we have looked forward to this day marking Chicago’s Cautious Reopening for businesses, our hearts have been heavy mourning the continued unjust deaths of black humans, as well as violence surrounding protests all around the nation. We acknowledge the pain our clients, colleagues and coworkers are feeling. We hear you, and we stand with you.
We support peaceful protests calling for change, for the end of police brutality, for the end of racial injustice. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless others. We say their names. Black Lives Matter.
It is impossible to move forward as a company without seeking improvement, both internally and from our various communities. Catalyst Ranch commits to holding high our long-held value of diversity and inclusion, and letting that continue to guide us in the way we serve our employees and our clients.
And we commit to looking for ways to advance the discussion of racial equity within our Meetings Industry. We will continue to use our space in ways that are inclusive and welcoming, and as a safe setting for the discussion of positive change, which we’ve seen time and again from our corporate and nonprofit clients.
Our first step in moving forward is contributing to the organization My Block, My Hood, My City: We have made a donation to their Explorers Program (the heart of their mission to lift up youth from under-resourced Chicago communities) and a donation to their Small Business Relief Fund for repairing damage from looting done to our fellow small businesses in Chicago’s black communities.
Thank you for your bravery in continuing the dialogue for lasting positive change.
My Block, My Hood, My City provides youth with new experiences, exposing them to possibilities beyond their own communities. Their mission is to help teenagers overcome the poverty and isolation they face, boosting educational attainment and opening them to opportunities that make a difference in their lives.
Click here to learn more about their Small Business Relief Fund and to make a donation.