If you want to change the world, you need to know the world. Today’s protests in the aftermath of the deaths of George Floyd and many other black Americans while in police custody have forced uncomfortable conversations. It has given Americans of all backgrounds time to confront the legacy of four centuries of racism in America and the unfinished work in our country to live up to the high moral standard that all men and women are created equal. Black lives do, indeed, matter. At the same time, we recognize that the vast majority of the men and women who dedicate their careers to law enforcement do so for the right reasons and proudly serve their communities. These conversations are long overdue as are reforms. We are at a tipping point that will put some of us in uncomfortable positions, requiring us to confront privilege often taken for granted. For others, this will be a time for newfound growth and empowerment. We can all shape our future, even if in some small way. Leadership Ohio strives to be one part of the solution.
For more than 25 years a new Leadership Ohio class has come together each year to engage our state’s leaders, exploring the challenges and opportunities in our Ohio communities. The 2020 class of Leadership Ohio is loaded with a diverse group of community and business leaders from across Ohio. We are grateful to them for the leadership they are already demonstrating in their communities and their Leadership Ohio experience promises to be unlike any before. We have all witnessed the enormous challenges this year has revealed just in its first six months. Now is the time for leadership – within all of us – to create opportunities for change and community empowerment.
Commitment Statement: Leadership Ohio is committing to confront racism with truth and lead Ohio in embracing our diverse community by educating and supporting our members to foster diversity, equality and inclusion as our core values.