A Statement in Solidarity With the Asian-American Community

 

A letter from our CEO Jenn Graham, 

 

I am heartbroken and devastated by the horrific murder that took the lives of eight people in my hometown of Atlanta. For me personally, this has hit home.

I wept this morning in solidarity with my team, of whom several are of Asian descent. I sobbed when I learned about one of the victims of this hate crime, Hyun Jung Kim, a single mother who worked day in and day out to care and provide for her two sons. And her life was taken so hastily, so quickly. As a mother, I cannot express the sadness I feel, and the loss that must be so deep within her two boys.

 

To Delaina Ashley Yaun, Paul Andre Michels, Xiaojie Tan, Daoyou Feng, Soon C. Park, Hyun Jung Kim, Suncha Kim, and Yong A. Yue, you did not deserve this. You did not deserve to be the victims of xenophobia and racism. No one should fear losing their life or that of a loved one because of who they are and where they come from.

To our Asian, Asian-American, Pacific Islander employees, customers, friends and family:

I see you, and I stand with you. This prejudice, discrimination and racism we are witnessing isn’t new —hateful rhetoric and actions have brought pain to the AAPI community for years on end. My heart hurts knowing that these are the battles you face on a daily basis. And while I may not completely understand, I want to let you know that I’m here to listen, to learn, to cry, and to fight alongside you. 

There is so much to do, and I pledge to take action. I pledge to amplify the voices of the AAPI community and support those impacted by the recent murder. Among those who lost their lives in this tragic event were mothers, daughters, wives, and friends. 

 

 

To honor Hyun Jung Kim, I commit to supporting her family by sharing her story and donating to help them in this difficult time: In memory of Hyun Jung Kim

I started Civic Dinners as a way for people to engage in meaningful conversation about important issues, and right now, we need to talk about anti-Asian hate. Change starts with us, and my team and I commit to having intentional discussion about racism toward the AAPI community. 

Please keep these names in your hearts, and let us be reminded that there is so much more work to be done. I promise to continue doing everything I can to create brave spaces for people to come together, to listen, to empathize and to create real and lasting change. 

 

❤️

- Jenn Graham