Apr 22, 2021

CEO Statement to Staff Regarding Former Police Officer Derek Chauvin's Three Guilty Verdicts

Dear Colleagues,

Let's take this moment to live in the reality of witnessing an unprecedented guilty verdict for all of the charges against former police officer Derek Chauvin for last year's murder of George Floyd. We haven't experienced this extraordinary justice previously because juries normally don't convict law enforcement for not treating all people the same. Unfortunately, this outcome would not have occurred if a videotape hadn't captured this horrific event, but it demonstrated to the world what many have known for a long time—people of color are disregarded and dehumanized because of the color of their skin. I am hopeful that this moment will reverberate into our society for years to come so that people of color can finally, and comfortably, breathe when we are approached by law enforcement.

Equity should not just be a policy that is created in order to check off a box, but a habit and pattern that is a living and growing organism that permeates within each of us individually, our community, organizations and companies, and our society. As Seabury joins many other organizations and companies on the journey of creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for our employees, volunteers, board, residents and clients, contractors, and vendors, we will use yesterday's just verdict as a barometer to guide us in ensuring that we treat everyone with mutual respect and dignity. Our mission and values will provide us with a strong foundation in successfully moving forward.

Let's continue to work together in this new light as we continue to provide our best care in a most equal and inclusive way. As Vice President Harris said last evening, "A measure of justice isn't the same as equal justice", so we have work to do and I look forward to it.

Thank you for providing your excellence and please let us know how Seabury can address these important issues. Take good care.

Dawn Quattlebaum