To the Tea community:
Our country is at a turning point. We’re facing the undeniable reality that racism is woven into the fabric of our nation’s being—from our history to our government to our police practices to our everyday actions. George Floyd deserves justice on his own behalf, as well as on behalf of countless others who have died or suffered as a result of institutionalized racism.
Yet somehow I’m finding hope amongst the chaos. There’s momentum that feels pervasive and inspiring—pushing us to be better and do better. We must recognize privilege and re-examine our own biases and behaviors, even if it’s unintentional or makes us feel uncomfortable.
That includes Tea as an organization. While diversity and equality have always been a part of our core, we recognize that there’s much more we can do to promote social justice and equality and support the Black community.
While we don’t have all the solutions now, we’re in the process of looking inward and taking a critical look at our biases, our actions, and how we can improve as individuals and as a company. We’re taking the following actions:
- We’re donating $10,000 to support an organization that engages on issues of racial equity and anti-racism, especially with kids.
- We’re matching up to $2,500 in employee donations so that together, we can reach $15,000.
- We’ve asked employees to spend this Friday taking meaningful action, whether it’s through activism, education, support, or self-reflection.
- We’re starting an internal committee to source and discuss ways to address racism and be actively anti-racist.
- We’re sharing resources below, as well as on our blog. While not a comprehensive list, we hope it serves as a starting point for education, advocacy, and action. We’ll continue to update our blog with new resources as we come across them.
Stay connected and curious,
Leigh
Resources for the Tea Community:
Educate yourself about race and racism:
Anti-racism Resources for Adults from Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein
Me And White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
How to Be Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
An Antiracism Reading List from Ibram X Kendi in the New York Times
Talk to your kids about race and racism:
Talking to Kids about Racism and Justice from the Oakland Public Library
Talking Race with Young Children from NPR
31 Children’s books to support conversations on race, racism and resistance from Embrace Race
Support Black-owned businesses:
Support Black-Owned Restaurants in your Community
Black-Owned Natural Skincare, Beauty, Home & More on BLK+GRN
Buy from Black-owned business via Refinery29
Donate:
