Our Mission Is to Be the Leaders of the Change We Seek

Dear Babson Community:

Last week, the world witnessed an appalling act of violence in Minneapolis. The death of George Floyd represents the latest in a long, horrific, unacceptable pattern of unequal treatment and violence against the black community. We are reminded yet again of the toll that hatred and systemic racism can exact on our communities, nation, and world—and the disproportionate impact on black communities and lives. Like many of you, we are angry, frustrated, and heartbroken.

This incident highlights important and disturbing concerns about institutional racism and violence in our society. As entrepreneurial leaders, we are driven to solve problems, to lead with empathy, and to create solutions to complex systemic challenges. It is our responsibility to discuss and explore these issues, to listen and learn, to confront our own biases, and to speak out and lead change.

Babson is continually working to improve equity and inclusion. We are enriched by a diversity of races, cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives, and united by a shared vision to create positive change in the world. This incident is a stark reminder that we must do more. As individuals and as a community, we must hold ourselves accountable to be actively anti-racist.

Pursuing equity and inclusive excellence at Babson continues to be an ongoing and important part of our collective mission. Babson’s Diversity and Inclusion Council, under the leadership of Sadie Burton-Goss, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, leads much of this important work on campus and is a tremendous resource for our community. The Council plans to communicate with our community members the resources and support services we continue to offer to be an ally to colleagues, classmates, and society.

We must continuously ask ourselves: What will I do, in my own way, to become more aware of my own biases and the impact of that behavior? Every day, we should model and show respect, be accountable for our actions, and engage each other with compassion. Peaceful protests lead to new ways forward. Our mission is to be the leaders of the change we seek.

We are one community, supporting each other through an unimaginable time. One Babson. Thank you for your leadership, strength, and resilience.

Sincerely,

Steve Spinelli, President
Donna Bonaparte, Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer
Sadie Burton-Goss, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer
Andrea Lindner, Student Government Association President
James Pollard, Chief of Police and Director, Public Safety Department
Mark Rice, Provost
Lawrence Ward, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Rachel Zelcer, Graduate Student Council President

Resources and Action

In an email to students, Patrick Hale, director of the office of multicultural and identify programs, and Michael Lara, assistant director of LGBTQ+ and identity programs, shared resources and support for students: “Being part of the Babson community means having a deep and willing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This means understanding and addressing the real and unending struggles that historically underrepresented communities face across our world and, particularly, our very own community. The issues impacting black people and other communities of color are important for us to better understand in order to uphold our commitment to being an actively anti-racist institution. We are committed to ensuring that every community member—students, staff, faculty, and administration—gains the awareness, skills, knowledge, and attitude in order to lead with purpose and courage toward a better future for all people.”

Sadie Burton-Goss, chief diversity & inclusion officer, shared a memo with the community to outline additional support and action: “This time of anger, grief and rage is accompanied by opportunity. My hope is that we have reached a true turning point, where we can turn the tide of racism and its violent outcomes, and begin a new era of equity and inclusion. There are many conversations underway across our campus, both as a direct result of current events and as part of our ongoing efforts to address diversity, equity and inclusion at Babson. Our students, staff, faculty and alumni have been working diligently to address these issues, and the work continues. There is much more to be done. We ask you to join us, standing together and working side-by-side as One Babson.”

Both messages outlined resources and work that is underway, along with ways the community can engage to support ongoing efforts:

• The Office of Multicultural and Identity Programs has created an anti-racism educational resource guide, meant to serve as a starting place to help deepen your awareness of recent events. This guide is meant to serve as a starting place, and we encourage you to continue your self-education to gain a better understanding of the issues happening within our community and around the world, and how you can commit to action.
• Babson also is working to create opportunities for continued engagement to offer spaces of healing, learning, reflection, and action planning. The College will communicate those opportunities as they become available. The first was a virtual Peace Circle, dedicated to the racial tension, trauma, and terror in America, on June 3, 2020.
• This summer, Multicultural and Identity Programs is launching three working groups—Black Students, First Generation Students, and LGBTQ Students—to map and enhance the student experience from admission through alumni engagement. Recognizing the importance of intersectionality in every student’s identity, these three areas of focus will be the first of many. If you are interested in engaging in this work, please email multicultural@babson.edu.
• Building on initiatives already underway, the Diversity and Inclusion Council will host a series of conversations for understanding, and create new opportunities for the community to get involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. You will receive invitations to participate in many of these meetings, discussions, and events.
• The College’s Race Conversations Employee Resource Group will host a special virtual meeting this Friday at noon. Later this month, the Diversity and Inclusion Council will host our All Council Summer Virtual Summit, open to all faculty and staff. Read more about the work of the Diversity and Inclusion Council, and upcoming opportunities to get involved.
• We also encourage you to reach out to someone for support within our community. Counseling is available for Babson students by contacting Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 781-239-6200 or counselingservices@babson.edu.
• Student Life currently is working to identify virtual courses focused on allyship, active anti-racism, and white privilege that students can sign up for with all costs covered by the Professional Accelerator Fund.
• Babson Athletics is planning a forum to facilitate a conversation about race among student-athletes.
• Diversity and inclusion education covered in First-Year Seminar is being intentionally mapped into the first-year academic curriculum.
• Our Undergraduate Center for Career Development is working on programs focused on black and other underrepresented minority students and their career readiness in the current climate.
• Sydney Swain MBA’20, former president of the Babson Black MBA Club, is organizing a Babson Black Student Summit for Undergraduate students, led by their Graduate student peers.
• Our student leaders from Babson organizations, including Delta Tau Delta, ONE, and Alpha Kappa Psi, are collecting donations on behalf of charities aiding racial justice. The Student Government Association encourages you to reach out for more information.