Diversity and inclusion are core values for 3M because they are simply the right values to live by and promote. That’s why on Juneteenth—a celebration of the end of slavery in the United States—3M is encouraging its employees to take action in different ways.
“Equal rights are human rights! June 19, 1865 represents an end and a beginning. An end to the injustices of slavery and a beginning of the pursuit towards life, liberty and justice for African Americans. We celebrate this as Juneteenth, a day where hope began,” said Chair of 3M’s African American Network, Charlene Vance. “I believe it is important that 3Mers find a way to connect and give back to the community on this day in 2020, for it represents a time of positive, impactful, and sustainable change for all in the future.”
Learning, reflecting and discussing
Being an ally and advocate can start with education. 3M partner organization, the National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC), is offering the public and 3Mers the resources to learn about the history of Juneteenth, celebrate it on June 19 via a virtual public program and have candid conversations about race in the United States.
“It is a privilege to have access to information. We have a responsibility to seek knowledge and better understand our past, so it is not repeated,” shared.3M’s Chief Diversity Officer, Ann Anaya. “The National Museum of African American History & Culture’s resources are fantastic and a great place to start on the path of listening, understanding and acting so we can advance social justice together.”
To help 3Mers strengthen inclusive behaviors, 3M is also offering additional resources on our Diversity & Inclusion Learning Channel on Develop U—an online learning portal that houses 10,000+ learning resources in more than 15 languages for 96,000 3Mers around the world.
Giving financially and getting matched
Through the 3M Community Giving Match program, 3M Foundation will match 3Mers’ personal financial contributions to U.S. schools and public charities up to $1,000 per employee, per year. “We’re incredibly proud of the impact that the 3M Community Giving Match can and will have on social issues that have been identified as most important to our employees,” said Director of 3Mgives and 3M Foundation, Michael Stroik. “Recently, we’ve seen a surge in donations from 3Mers to support nonprofits that advocate for social justice and racial equity.”
Some of the nonprofits 3Mers are donating to include the:
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Foundation, which seeks to defend individual freedoms and protect constitutional rights
- Lake Street Council, which directs support to small businesses and nonprofits to help them rebuild their storefronts, reopen their businesses and serve our neighborhoods
- Minnesota Freedom Fund, which pays criminal bail and immigration bond for those who cannot afford to, and seeks to end discriminatory, coercive and oppressive jailing
- NAACP Empowerment Programs, which engage in training, education and advocacy, in partnership with NAACP, to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination
Reaching out and engaging in community
3Mers are also being encouraged to tap into 3M’s FlexAbility initiative, which empowers employees to come up with their own flexible work practice that maximize professional and personal productivity. Through FlexAbility, 3Mers can volunteer with community partners across the U.S. who are working to help meet immediate needs and support rebuilding efforts in areas affected by rioting following the tragic death of George Floyd.
Ongoing advocacy
3M is committed to being part of the solution toward social justice. This includes rethinking our own internal policies and practices that might be contributing to racial disparities and inequities. It also includes taking actions to accelerate social justice, help our communities rebuild, demand police reform and combat racism. Check out the three actions 3M is taking to strengthen our journey in becoming a more diverse, equitable and inclusive company.
