Growing Together

I like a lot of you have been watching what has been unfolding locally and nationally with regard to the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.  We have a serious and systemic issue with equity across many of our institutions and systems.  This impacts people, communities and businesses.

The Tigard Chamber Board of Directors decided we as a business organization needed to add our voice to raise awareness to the issue and released the following statement on our social media channels

June 3rd, 2020

At a time like this, it is hard to find the right words.

Words to express our sadness, frustration and anger about the injustice people of color face daily in our communities. 

We stand for equity, prosperity and systemic change.

We stand against police brutality and racism in all forms. 

We support the City of Tigard’s refreshed vision

“To be an equitable community for everyone.”

The Tigard Chamber is listening, open to learning and is committed to being part of the solution. 

Who will join us?

I am very proud of our organization and the Board of Directors for having the courage to speak into the issue.  Four or five years ago this might not have happened.  We as an organization are evolving as I hope we all are with increasing awareness of unconscious biases we may have and how many of our systems don’t deliver equity.

Our work actually began about a year and half ago as we looked at what we needed to do as an organization to better reflect our community and be welcoming to all.  The first result was an updated vision statement

Business + Community = Prosperity, Vibrancy & Diversity

Since then we have worked behind the scenes to gain a better understanding of the culture around us in Tigard, listening and learning and beginning to partner with relevant organizations.

These are all just beginning steps, we have a long ways to go and we have to continue this work.  If you would like to join us on this journey please contact myself or Katherine Wiley at Debi@tigardchamber.org or Katherine@tigardchamber.org.

Debi Mollahan

CEO, Tigard Chamber