The Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University denounces the horrific and unjust murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and countless other Black Americans by police officers and private citizens. We condemn the long history of systemic racism that has made violence and discrimination against people of color so prevalent in the United States. 

We are painfully aware of the persistent and inexcusable inequalities that continue to impact the Black communities in America, leaving them with higher unemployment rates, lower graduation rates, less income, higher poverty rates, and less wealth, thereby creating feelings of hopelessness. 

We share in the pain of racism that our co-workers and their families, our collaborators, and our students continue to experience. We will educate ourselves and those we work with on how to make lasting change happen. We will review our research, program and policy development, and technical assistance work to ensure we are focused on addressing and eliminating systemic racism. 

All of us have a moral and ethical responsibility to strive to correct these historical inequities through our work and in our lives. We commit ourselves to strengthening our individual and collective efforts to fight racism in our communities and nation. Together, the Heldrich Center staff renews our pledge to promote a fair and just society for all Americans.

The Heldrich Center is housed in the Edward J. Bloustein School for Planning and Public Policy, which operates in an overall environment of diversity and inclusion and where racism is not tolerated. Read the Bloustein School's statement concerning its commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Signed:

Heather Allen
Sherrill Austin
Kristine Bacani
Pamela Blumenson
InBum Chung
Brittney Donovan
Jimmy Green
Joanne Hamza
Meghna Hari
Laurie Harrington
Maria Heidkamp
Stephanie Holcomb
Kathy Krepcio
Michele Martin
Marjory Palius
William M. Rodgers III
David Seith
Robb C. Sewell
Sean Simone
Bernadina Smiley
Jessica Starace
Marc Strano
Nidhi Tandon
Carl Van Horn
Liana Volpe