To our clients, business partners, employees and communities:

We reach out to you today at an inflection point in our nation’s history.

The people of Mesirow condemn and grieve the violent loss of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, as well as the countless others who have been victims of systemic racial violence and injustice over the decades. Black lives matter.

As a firm, and as individuals, we stand with the African-American community, with all people of color and with their allies in the peaceful and unrelenting advancement of inclusivity, economic equality and social justice. We extend our heartfelt support to impacted communities across the nation and in our Chicago home, as well as to African-American and other professionals of color at our firm.

This statement reflects our immediate response to the recent tragic events and will be followed by deepened initiatives in training, employment and philanthropy because now is the time to transform the shock and anger we have been experiencing into action.

As a firm, Mesirow will increase existing commitments to diversity and inclusion and launch new initiatives. The firm’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council will lead a Six-Point Plan to:

1. Create a new paradigm of exchange through programming, events and mandatory training for managers and employees on issues such as unconscious bias, microaggressions and cross-cultural communications

2. Serve as a resource and advocate to underserved communities, particularly in areas related to our Corporate Responsibility alignment with United Nations cause pillars of innovation and education, community improvement and human rights and equality

3. Increase our support to organizations including the Chicago Urban League, Chicago United and Financial Services Pipeline

4. Further diversify suppliers and vendors and continue to champion organizations and initiatives driving positive change such as the Chicago United Five Forward

5. Further develop diversity and inclusion initiatives specific to our asset classes and investment sectors and support industry platforms and initiatives on this front

6. Increase the presence of African-American and other professionals of color at all levels of our firm
We will also support one another as colleagues and citizens, recognizing the obligation each of us has to speak unfiltered truth to circumstance; build new bridges of understanding; and effect positive, lasting change.