At its core, design is about solving problems, about improving the human condition—for all humans. It is about a better life. At A+R, we are committed to doing our part—now—in designing a better world.
Black Lives Matter is the civil rights movement of our time. As we’ve seen in the protests worldwide, this is not simply an American issue.
This is a global issue.
The unprecedented movement happening now is about addressing the gross inequalities in our society among our fellow Americans, our fellow world citizens, all because of the color of their skin.
Now, as always, we are taking action as we stand in solidarity with our colleagues and community and with those courageous objectors everywhere who are voicing their anguish and anger with the systematic racism that continues to oppress and devalue Black lives.
We stand against police brutality in all forms.
We stand against a criminal justice system that disproportionately targets Black lives.
We stand against an economic system that institutionally deprives opportunities among Black lives.
We stand against a healthcare system that is biased when it comes to research and access to care and services for Black Lives.
We stand against the widespread disenfranchisement of communities of Black, Indigenous and People of Color whose voices continue to be silenced.
We stand with the fight against voter suppression efforts which is excessively targets Black communities and is a threat to democracy.
We stand against the basic human rights and dignities that Black lives are deprived of daily.
At A+R, allyship with BIPOC individuals and communities is not only a requirement in our business. It is a moral imperative. It is a parenting imperative.
We cannot hire and care for our Black employees and family members, if we do not also protect Black lives everywhere.
As a business co-founded by a woman and 40% female employed, we cannot be there for our colleagues and clients who identify as women if we are not also standing up for Black women both within our company and in the broader world.
As a business with LGBTQ+ identified employees, we cannot be there for our colleagues if we are not also standing up for Black LGBTQ+ everywhere.
As an independent business, we cannot fight for entrepreneurship if we don’t also fight for the opportunities and empowerment of Black entrepreneurs.
We will continue our long-term commitments to providing support, financial and otherwise, to the organizations working indefatigably for reform, from criminal justice and education to voting. At this time, we have and continue to pledge donations to Campaign Zero, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the ACLU and the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Financial contributions are not enough. Words are not enough. Posting on social media or on a blog like this one is not enough.
Change takes commitment and it takes action. Change starts from within, listening, learning and examining our individual behaviors and actions. We at A+R are committed to the urgent work at hand while working on long-term structural changes.
These are our company values. These are our family values.
Andy+Rose and Team A+R