08/06/2020
An important message to our community:
I am heartbroken by the tragedies that have taken place in Black communities in recent weeks, which are once again a painful reminder of the racial injustices that many Black people continue to suffer in their daily lives.
No words will ever be enough to condemn the senseless deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and many others. No amount of empathy will ever enable me to come close to truly understanding the painful realities faced by those in Black communities. But silence is complicity to the racism and intolerance that unfortunately still remain deeply ingrained in our country today.
Equality and inclusivity are fundamental to the core values and culture of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. We take this responsibility very seriously. We must as a society, as a company, and as individuals stand up against racism and intolerance of any kind. The path to systematic change is collective action. We are all in this together. And together we will use our voice to do more, to do better, and to build a unified and inclusive future for all.
As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
The executive committee and I will work together on an action plan to address how we can best support the fight against racial injustice. This includes open conversations to listen and learn more about social and racial justice, and how we can use the power of philanthropy as an organization to advance this very important cause.
The time to act is now. Individually and collectively, we will use our power to realize positive change.
Laura Alber
President & CEO
Williams-Sonoma, Inc.