UPS pledges millions to support justice and reform to advance equality
United Parcel Service Inc. is stepping up its actions in support of justice, reform and equality for black Americans in response to the killings of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others.
UPS said June 8 it urges immediate passage of the federal Antilynching Act and state-based hate crime bills, including Georgia’s. UPS is among numerous major Georgia corporations urging the state to pass a state hate crimes bill.
The Atlanta-based package delivery giant also said it will provide $3.2 million through The UPS Foundation to organizations including the NAACP, National Urban League, The Executive Leadership Council, 100 Black Men of America, The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights’ Education Fund, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, United Negro College Fund, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and the National Black Child Development Institute.
In addition, UPS said it will commit $1 million to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, to support educational programs on historical and present day efforts to advance racial equality.
UPS further pledged one million UPS employee volunteer hours of service around the world in support of mentorship and educational programming in underserved black communities.
“No one is safe until we are all safe, and we know there is no place in any community anywhere in the world for racism, bigotry or hate,” said Carol Tomé, UPS CEO. “We will not stand quietly or idly on the sidelines of this issue.”
UPS, which employs nearly 500,000, said it is also stepping up actions within the company. It is expanding its internal unconscious bias training, creating regular forums for additional discussion regarding topics surrounding racial equality and justice, and expanding its internship program with historically black colleges, among other actions.