June 05, 2020 – The Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) is saddened and outraged by ongoing incidents of anti-black racism in Canada and the United States. The tragic murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery represent a fraction of the racially-motivated violence that has claimed far too many black and brown lives. The voices of those demanding justice compel us to recognize that we must all take a stand against racism and oppression, whether in the form of microaggression, police-brutality, covert systemic barriers, or overt workplace discrimination.
As members of the CABHI community, we are committed to standing in solidarity with black Canadians and everyone experiencing the long-standing anguish and frustration of racism plaguing our world today.
But we don’t just stand in solidarity. We promise to be part of the solution.
At CABHI, we commit to making changes that will lead to a more equal and just workplace and community.
We promise to be intentional about rooting out active and passive forms of discrimination in our hiring practices, business developments, and innovation programs. This means working with BIPOC and LGBTQ2S+ innovators, older adults, and caregivers to address aging and brain health issues specific to their communities. It also means proactively building a diverse workplace where everyone is heard, valued, and included, regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, culture, or age.
As members of the longevity sector, we are proud to stand with so many healthcare organizations that are passionate about serving people from all backgrounds and lived experiences. Our shared sense of commitment to the values of advocacy, respect, and empathy make up an essential part of who we are as people, colleagues, and friends. These are the values we pledge to uphold as we make a willful effort to not only be allies, but accomplices in the fight against anti-black racism and violence.
For more resources related to anti-black racism, please visit the City of Toronto website, or Canada.ca
Sincerely,
Dr. Allison Sekuler,
Managing Director
Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation
