Sergio Bohon
Chairman of the Board
Michelle Decker
CEO
Friends,
We wanted to reach out to our community in this all too real and deeply distressing moment. What we’ve seen over the weekend is truly disheartening. The video of George Floyd’s death is etched in our minds, along with the deep anger and pain it brings. All while COVID disproportionately devastates Native American, Black, and Latino communities, lifting up stark racial disparities. It has always been, but now especially, the time to speak up for the lives of Black Americans. As hundreds of residents in the Inland Empire have gathered at peaceful protests, we stand in solidarity with them. For the thousands of law enforcement officials, we ask for calm leadership and a commitment to working with our communities to root out racism in their ranks.
Now more than ever, we need to come together to end racism and social injustice. At the Inland Empire Community Foundation, a lens of equity and inclusion will guide our work and grantmaking. Just recently, we made grants to Sigma Beta Xi Youth & Family Services, Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement, Youth Action Project, and BLU Educational Foundation. Together they are helping African American youth and families succeed in the region, and remain the strong voices we need on the inequities affecting this community.
We will continue to be here for the Inland Empire, for all of its residents and leaders who celebrate the exceptional racial diversity of this region. We will also be sharing the voices and reflections of our community during this time, and exploring the investments and policies we need for an Inland Empire that works for everyone.
Sergio Bohon and Michelle Decker