Gray Chynoweth

Thoughts on racial inequality in reaction to recent events

The following message from Minim CEO Gray Chynoweth was emailed today to the Minim team. As it reflects our values and position, we want to  share with our community. We will not be silent. #BlackLivesMatter.

Minimers,

I am guessing that many of you, like me, watched in shock at the killing of George Floyd last week. This recent instance of fatal brutality against an unarmed black citizen underscores the deep racial inequality in our society. We collectively and rightfully share profound sadness, fear, pain, and frustration. It can be difficult to think on what to do next, how to help.

As one of our cultural values at Minim is diversity through vigilance, I feel silence is not an option. I want to reiterate Minim’s commitment to diversity. It makes us stronger as a team, as a nation, and as a world. But to cultivate diversity, we must first commit to ensuring inclusion. This starts with creating a workplace and a society where people feel safe, equal, and cared for.

So if you are, too, feeling overwhelmed, I want to offer up an idea. Now is as good a time as ever to build on your understanding and empathy. As an insatiable learner, I wanted to share a blog and a book that I found helpful in pursuit of what I can do to combat racial injustice. If you want to purchase this book, or any other with this intention, please let me know. I would like to purchase it for you.

Next, if we are to be true to our culture, we must challenge the status quo. To that end, I encourage each of you to take personal time to take action in support of the societal and cultural change we so clearly need. I trust that you will know best what those actions are. One step I will take is to match, up to $1,000, any employee donation to a non-profit organization dedicated to combating racial injustice.  

I want everyone to know that Minim management has an open door policy and we all agree that, as this event makes clear, we all need to take more action to combat racial injustice. To that end, we’ll be thinking and following up with the group on how we can do more at Minim and support our crew more as they make an impact in the broader world.  

So, please do not hesitate to reach out with thoughts, suggestions, or concerns. We welcome compassionate and constructive conversation. Let’s stand together to live out our values, to support Black communities during this challenging time, and to change hearts and minds. 

Sincerely, 

Gray Chynoweth 

Update (6/1/20): Based on appreciated feedback, we would also like to recommend the following books. If you have any recommendations, please contact us. 

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