ALT “Racial injustice is not acceptable and yet it continues. If you are outraged by what you are seeing now, let’s work together! Too many of us live a hesitant, tentative life – afraid to challenge what we know is wrong. We need to realize the strength and power we have together. It’s time we pay attention to the signs, stop and notice what’s happening around us and speak up. We all have a responsibility to step forward and change the world now and for future generations – nothing will change without the majority. We can do better!” Michael Ford, Microsoft employee of 15 years

ALT “I can’t breathe.” These three words haunt me, my family, my community and this country. I’ve uttered them aloud and silently so many times throughout my life, as have most Black people I know. These words translate generations of fear, anger, despair, powerlessness, pressure and exhaustion. We need to treat racism like the systemic pandemic it is, and come together to mobilize, dialogue and actively work to flatten the racism curve, enabling all of us to breathe freely." Toni Townes-Whitley, 5 years at Microsoft