To our Vanderbilt Family and our Community at large,
Many of us have felt sadness, anger and frustration over the past few weeks as we grapple with the social justice issues that continue to plague our communities of color. The inequity of Black people across the country in healthcare, safety, and financial inclusion have us searching for ways we can act as a catalyst for change. We are reminded that we, as individual people and a Firm, must do better to bridge the racial divide and to tear down the walls of institutional racism that surround us.
To help us light the path, we’ve turned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to give us the language and framework for action. We are committing our time, energy and investment in SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities and feel strongly that this needs to be a public proclamation. We can not remain silent on this issue any longer and encourage our community to hold us accountable for our words and, most importantly, our actions.
SDG 10 calls for reducing inequalities in income as well as those based on age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status within a country. Watch this video to better understand the context and the goals for Reduced Inequalities.
- We're committed to learning and unlearning the systems upholding racism and investing in meaningful training programs to get us there.
- We're committed to further investing in hiring practices that continue to increase equity and inclusion in the Financial Services sector.
- We’re committed to better understanding how we as an industry and the gate-keepers of building generational wealth can use the tools and resources at our disposal to help provide financial inclusion for Black communities.
- We’re committed to using our platform and circle of influence to bring these issues to the table and follow the work of Black leaders.
We must treat each other with love and respect; the inherent dignity of the human person. We must each commit to becoming racially literate and understanding how our biases (both conscious and unconscious), power, and privilege function in our every interaction. In this time of crisis, let us all take the opportunity to reexamine our social fabric and invest in policies and institutions that can turn the tide on inequality. Through action and fellowship, we believe we can become the leaders of today who stood up for the equality of future generations.
In solidarity,
The Management Team of Vanderbilt Financial Group - Stephen Distante, Heidi Distante, Joseph Trifiletti, Megan Plapp, Dan Antenor, Steve Howe, Jeso O’Neill and Christine Byrnes
Additional Resources from the UN:
Reduced Inequalities: Why It Matters
Read our Press Release:
Impactful Investment Firm Vanderbilt Financial Group Dedicates a Year to Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities