CEOs pledge to do something about systemic racism

Last summer, protests over systemic racism and racial inequalities filled the streets of Orlando.

Now the protests are moving to the executive board rooms.

In a landmark move among Orlando’s corporate leadership, more than 70 CEOs and business executives have signed a pledge acknowledging “systemic racism” in Central Florida and vowing to do something about it.

We’re talking about proven, if unwritten, inequalities baked into criminal justice, housing, health care and more.

For now, these pledges are only words. For them to have true impact, actions must follow.

But the mere fact that the upper echelon of this region’s power structure has acknowledged a problem that many have long downplayed or ignored is significant.

The pledge was created by the Orlando Economic Partnership, the region’s chamber of commerce organization. And it begins with four powerful words: “We will educate ourselves.” Starting off

admitting what you don’t know isn’t always easy.

The pledge acknowledges “the history of systemic racism throughout our region and the barriers it continues to present today.” Again, strong words.

Signers then vow: “We will use our power, influence and position to amplify unheard voices and endorse policies that lead to racial justice and opportunities for all.”

Tony Jenkins, the market president for Florida Blue, is one of the leaders of the effort. He called it “long overdue,” adding: “We can’t possibly move our community, society and economy forward without everyone feeling included and being invested.”

Jenkins realizes the potential for discomfort when leaders are asked to acknowledge racism in a power structure that some of them help control, but said: “We can’t shy away from the discussion.” He is right. For the facts are quite clear.

Black citizens in Florida and Central Florida are more likely to be charged with crimes — and punished far more severely when convicted. (An investigation by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune found that Black Floridians receive 68% more prison time for first-degree crimes than White ones, even when the defendants had similar prior records.) And it’s not just crime. Black workers also earn less than their White counterparts, whether they are toiling away on the front lines or working in management.

In metro Orlando, the average Black family earns $49,217 a year, compared with $71,278 for White families. That’s a difference of more than $22,000, representing the ability to buy a car or pay for college tuition … every single year.

The income disparity is similar for Latino families who also trail by $20,000.

Much of this comes back to education, where there are discrepancies as well.

All of this backed by concrete data that the pledge-signing CEOs said can’t be ignored.

“Systemic racism is a problem,” said Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins. “And it’s up to our community to work together to make a difference in fighting to abolish it.”

The NBA has been ahead of this curve in unabashedly pushing for equality. Players have led the way, with many owners and coaches chiming in. But local leaders in education, health care and other industries agree with Martins.

Sandy Shugart, the president of Valencia College, said “bias and discrimination are embedded in the structures, policies, habits, and business models of nearly every part of society.”

Shugart went on to say: “This will always be true unless those in the power structure are willing to take active steps to identify and correct them.”

And that means taking action. “I think it has to be more than just words, more than just a pledge,” said Andy Gardiner, a former legislator who is now a senior vice president with Orlando Health.

While Shugart said it may take time to figure out what those actions are, he stressed: “I would not have signed if I thought this was a checking-the-box exercise.”

I’m not going to presume to know all the specific actions these leaders should take. In fact, the first thing they’ve vowed to do is make organized efforts to listen to the disadvantaged communities. That makes sense. A bunch of wealthy, powerful people talking to each other wouldn’t provide much enlightenment.

Some of the organizations whose execs are among the first pledge signers already have initiatives that strive to promote equality and economic empowerment. Orlando Health has a program to target and assist minority vendors. The Magic club has advocated restoring civil rights for former felons. And Valencia has its respected Peace and Justice Institute.

But obviously the playing field still isn’t level. And when minority citizens see the disparities, some of the smart ones leave. “It drains us of talent,” said Karen Willis, the CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County.

That’s why Willis sees value in “asking business leaders — the vast majority of whom are White — to step up and use their collective positional power and privilege to bring attention to the negative impact institutional racism has on our entire community.”

Willis, who is also White, hopes many more execs join the cause.

I hope so, too. And that, when we circle back to look at what this group has actually accomplished a year or so from now, we’ll see measurable success.